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The Brussels Post, 1908-3-19, Page 3How the Poodle Got Away wILL You provide me with dinner and lodging for the • night?" The landlord of the Black Poodle Inn looked doubtfully et the speaker, ern:wining, from the Shabby appear. dime of the traveler, that ho was wlthnnt money, and therefore wee "SHALL I PAINT A CHAIN?" asking charity. But the sharp Inn- keeper also observed that the stranger carried a palette and artist'a ma- terlale; So he made answer In this wise: ""Pliat I will do, but In return you must paint a new black poodle on my algn." For a moment the artist seemed about to laugh. He struggled to com- port() hie features, however, and gravely nodded his willingness to carry out his part ot the agreement. Ascending a ladder, the artist was soon. busy with hie brush. An hour later he leaned hack to critically sur- vey the completed painting. Then an idea came to him, "Ho, landlord:" he called, "I shall paint your dog a. chain, too, if you will give me breakfast tomorrow morn- ing." But, the avaricious man did not care to lose the price of another meal and he was qulte satisfied with the hang - some picture which now appeared on tho sIgn. He shook his head surlily. A. modest meal wee placed before the artist and a very modest room was given him for the Night. Next morning the innkeeper went to the door with his guest, not so much to wish the stranger godspeed and a pleasant journey as to proudly exam- ine lila new sign in the light of morn - Mg. No sooner dld he lift his eyes than he staggered back a pace, and then stammered; "Wh-a-t has become of the poodle?" "You would not have me paint a chain," calmly replied the artist; "I fear your dog has escaped!" As you v111 probably surmise, the artist had quietly arisen during the night. stolen outdoors, and painted the sign blank. So, through rneannese, the Innkeeper lost a most valuable painting, for the stranger was tho best-known and 'wealthiest artist of the time. e 10141BLACIS11: •ffrOIN031:APATNICKVAY The CHIMNEY SWEEP Sle I Was saylo, darlInt, whin the blessed $trathrlelc drill, the enaltes from tile lmerald Isle, he sea to himifelf thot he 'Would , hey to Rind away the ghosts and the goblins and the banshees, beltase for Christhians to be pothered by 211011 wouldn't do at all. Aceorde in'ly, most of 0110 ghosts an' the gob- lins an' the good banehees took to their heels at wunst; but minny a bad banithee paid no notice o' what the saInt hod ordthered, but stayed an' brought minny 11 body to their death. 'Time, I mustn't be a-tellin' to you Bich things, that's not for the likes o' you to hear. But, faith, me head's full of thlm, since tomorrow's St. Patrick's Day." Here Bridget closed her lips resolutely, nor aould she be beguiled Into parting with mare of her wonder- ful stock of tolk-lore. However, Michael had heard enough to put his head In a, whirl. Material he had gained enough for a dozen day -dreams. Dreaming, you know, occupied a large part of the Iad'e thine. In feet, when your father's a captain M the army, and you live at a lonely army post out on the plains, there free quently Isn't very much else to do. .There were no other little boys to PlaY with. Michael would have been for- lorn, indeed, had thete been no Brid- get to spin, fanclful tales for him. So Lull was rile head with banshees and fairies thatylichael was unable to sleep that night. So you can see, can't you, that what happened him surely must have been "real"? Michael would have told you that, as he lay upon hls little cot, he slept not one wink. A SPLENDID BANSHEE The banshee came jist after the prolonged cry of "All's well!" from the guard on Number One post. It was a splendid banthee—not at all like the ^ahriveled, old bags which Bridget had told him were the wicked ones. No, indeed, this was a good banshee, like a beautiful fairy princess. Quite trustingly he put his hand. In hers when she sweetly bade him prepare for their journey. Then together they flew over 11111 and. dale, streams and rivers, until at last they crossed the broad ocean. Speeding swiftly above Ireland, the two finally alighted In a wild moun- tain glen, Although It was quite dark, Idichael found that he could see very well. He, therefore, had ample oppor- tunity to admire the marvelous scen- ery round about him.. The boy was led by the banshee up the mountain slope into an immense cavern. Here was assembled a great - company of banshees. "Welcome!" they cried, one and all, upon beholding the lad. Miehaers gulde whispered to him that onCe a year the banshees were permitted to return to the earth, and that upon such occasions they always met in this place. What astonished the lad most was to find among the gathering several little banshee boys, larliZt DA ' "THEY pLAYDD ssE-SAW" / ONLY wish we had as much money as those rich Americans," sighed Carmine, casting envious eyes at the handsome Villa owned by the Amer - Wane, Brother Pietro said nothing as he rais- ed great clouds of dust With his bare feet, but hie wistful look gave assurance that he shared the sentiment. They‘Were tight in front of the villa when suddenly Pietro darted forward to p1010 up something he had kicked. It proved to bo a big sliver coin, which, the lad was sura had come from Amer - Ma. Pietro was sorely tempted to keep the coin, but ex both hl s tonscience and his advised otherwise, he strode to- ward the house of the Americans. The beautiful American lady • Seemed greatly surprlsed when Pietro slated his errand. Without hesitation she pude him keep the coin, And then, AS though Seized with an afterthought,she asked him his name, of which she made care ful note in a little boelr. No sooner did he reach home than Pietro dutifully gave the cola to his mother. She made no comment but when the father 0a1110 home that after- noon the two had a long talk together, at the end of which Pietro's father said: "Children, there Is a holiday 111 the city temorrow. Yen halm been a good boy Pietro; you have been a good little daughter, Carmine, Both of you have WOrked faithfully, gathering 'fagots and taking them to town on the back of the donkey. And it has been long, too, since either of you have had a holiday. So tomorrow 1 want you to betake your- selVell to the city and enjoy youreelVes there ea best you may." Pietro and Carmine were filled with joy The family were.eo very poor, you know, that such pleasures as these could ill be afforded. It was kind, Indeed, of their fattier to so reward their faithful- ness. Arrayed in their very best garments, the boy and girl joined the holiday throngs in Rome the following day. What fun It was to •wateh the .tnerry crowds! In the afternoon they went to a pleas- ure garden, where they swayed to and fro In a lovely swing and played "see- saw"' on the nicest kind of a maehine. Then they bought eome,, sweetmeats. These they devoured on the way home, Never before had they had such a g101'IOfle 111138 And, beet of all, the Very next day the beautiful American lady sent for Pietro and Carmine, and gave both of them ern- ployment about the villa. She was such a good, kind mistress, and the hire was 00 geriereus that they were able to as- ' stet their father greatly. So, in 012110 the family became quite prOsperonS—and all because of the hon- esty ot Pietro in one little thing, Ito quickly made their aequaintance, and with one In particular he became quite (Mummy. So pleased wao Xlehael wlth his new friend that when the banshee falry came to him and told him that 000.11 gibe Maid take him home ho pleaded with her to let the little banshee boy come with Min. 'No 0210 but St. Patrick himself could grant such permission,'' said the fairy, shaking her head regretfully. At this very moment who should en- ter the cavern hut St. Patrick hImeelf! At first one could see nothing but a brought In order 10 give him a little enjoyment for the evening, She went on te tell of the lad's request that the 121110 banehee be allowed to a00010. pany him home as a playfellow. "Wen," said the saint, rellectivelYi "I am 00 a mind to grant this requoet, But, reolember, my little friend; when daylight comes you'll seo nothing or your playmate but a shadow; and when the sun dOeSn't ehine you'll see him not at all." Michael was overjoyed. Ile grate- fully murmured his thanks,whereupon St. Patrick mysteriously disappeared :WONDERFUL TALES ABOUT BANSHEES bright light, so brilliant was the halo about the good saint, but after a while one could distinguish a kind, smiling face that made you wish to worship him all the more. The banshees bowed humbly before the saint. He asked them different questions, and hoped they were pass- ing the evening pleasantly. Turning to Michael, he asked: "How came this mortal among you?" The good banshee fairy promptly told St. Patrick hONY lonely Michael had been, and that he had been ' and so did the cavern, and the ban- shees—and Ireland. Michael found himself in his little cot at home. But somehow he felt that his friend, the banshee boy,. was with him. Ho spoke, and, yes! there came a soft reply. He didn't have to speak out loud, you know. lie merely "thought" it; always there was a whispered answer. from that day Michael played and played with his shadow companion. Every one about the fort wondered why the boy suddenly should have beeome so contented and IlaPPY. Ofl 01 —and once only—he told his secret. But Sergeant Kelley laughed at him and declared he was playing with MS own shadow. Michael knew better, however, though he never breathed lila seeret again, not even to Bridget. Thereafter whenever Bridget talked about St. Patrick or banshees, Mich - eel looked at her In the wise way which only those have who know all about such Mingo. Of couree, he had a perfect 'right to assume such an air; for who knew better than he? What They Want to Become NOT long ago a close of boys was requested to write essays on the Interesting subject, "What should like to be when I am a man, and why." One boy wrote that he would like to be on ft newspaper, his chief reason being that "I would be in the office most of the time and could keep warm." He adds: "'What le required is eome paper and a pen." Another wished to be a policeman. "A. policeman gets plenty of air," wrote Ile, "and he must be braVe and strong. When people don't behave he is allowed to wheel( them." A boy Is desirous of being a teacher' "because they have plenty of holi- days. It Is easy 'Werk. The things required are blackboard, chalk, :naps and boolcs." One youngster intends to be a eoach-' man so he can wear top boots, a top hat and big coat; and another a baker, In order that he !nay always have loth to eat, Only one wishes to be a barber and "use scissors and a razor, and wear a whlte jacket and apron." Many deeire to be soldiers and sail- ors, for various reasons. Couldn't Pool Him. "WIlliam," asked the teacher, "If seven sheep are on one side of the fence, and one Jumps over It, how' many will there be left?" "None," was William's pronmt re- ply. "Why not?" "There wouldn't be none left" con- fidently repeated William; 'cause if one bolted all the rest would follow," Later in the lesson William again distinguished himself by defining a "buttress" as a "nanny -goat," The teacher's good opinion of Willie's cleverness seems to be justified. High/y Probable. School Director (reading)—"She threw herself Into the river. Her husband, horror-stricken, rushed to the bank—. Now, can any boy tell me what the hus- band rushed to the bank tor? Bright Boy (in rear of room)—To get the insurance money, sir. WIT) Pidife fix Pdby Parevildrnappy pp !OA,' ,gb,flor "04,11 v,e4,7,4.4,e4z, 4,041044,411,- SN'T this a splendid toy? But it really isn't a toy. Though just. the right size for the little son of the tsar of Bussia, the locomotive is as real and complete as the biggest engine ever made. The little station you see is an exact model of the Imperial Bailway Station at Tsarskoe Selo, built by the First Railway Battalion. It is completely furnished and fitted, and lighted by electricity. All of six months was required for the construction of the locomotive, the value of which exceeds 413000. Miniature guards are stationed round about the station, lending to the air of reality. This present came from the tsar several months ago. You wouldn't mind being the tsarevitch for a thne, would you, o you -would receive such handsome gifts as these? Think of all the fun you could have, running your engine round and round the circle of gleaming track! Discovered it Wouldn't ICeep. Harold—Mother, I bought sister's birthday gift today. Mother—What did you buy? Harold—A cream puff. Mother—A cream putt? Why, the birthday won't be here until next Week. Hareld—Yes'm; I found that the cream junte wouldn't keep all that time, so I had to eat it myself. But sIster'll 'preciate It just the same, won't saeo mother? A Difficult Peat. 1 Asle two persons to kneel, and, have each of them hold up his right foot by means of his right litlad. Thie will necessitate careful balancing on the left knee. Then have one hold in his lett hand a goblet filled with water, and have the other hold in his left hood an empty glass. Tell themto fame each other and to pour the water from one glass into the other. Simple as this may stun& they will find It a feat ex- ceedingly difficult of acoomplIshment. I:Inexcusable Carelessness. Teacher—Remember, MILD I started with one dollar. I :maid it cents toe frslt and 10 cents for candy. HoW much bad X left? Isaac fin disgust)—Well, why didn't YOU count yelir Change, teacher? Desired Information. Willinm (aged 7)—Father, what did the Deed eea die of7 • migyiaidok,viaryS Opinion/ 6.1fir 'jflloy wHAT queer and puzzling sorts of • things • These girls are, anyway; 1 etern to Inirt their feelings DI all I do and say. They dont at all enjoy mrgames, They say /. am too Magill And ehonid 0 chance to telt their strength, They teon cry out "enough!" They much prefer to sit Raid° And nurse a foolish doll, .And 10 1 sneer and laugh, I'm caned A brute—it dims beat all! When I asked rely big brother. why Tie so, he shook his head, "You'll find the puzzle herder still As yell grow Up," he Said. WHAT rough and silly animals These boys all seetn to 'bet Why they should so delight to tease, I really cannot seel They're never happy or °olden Unless they're playing. games That put their valor to the Met, And only failure tames. Then at our peaceful pley With dolls They love to jest alui sneer; In, fact, they always ridicule The things we hold most dear. X asked my grown -Up eleter why The boys ars faShloneel so, "You'll find the men are still more (Veer," She emiled, "eta old you growl" . tklig3»41174' AZ, erp.,4701 • ,,r.,11IMNEYS 011 clean! Chimneys PI) sweep!" You hear shouted from sunrise till etar 'gin to peepl. k---4 London has smoke; London has fogs— (If you doubt It, just look at the chimney sweep's 'togs").— All good chimneythis fog and smoke "mixture" despise .And it seerna much to trouble the youngster who cries: "Your obfmney, your chimney I'll sweep!" "Chimneye I'll sweep! Chimneys I'll clean!" Tells the tale of a life thal Is humble and mean; Chimneys with soot, chimneys with grime— Yet more black are the "sweeps" than the chimneys they climb; But though hungry, though soiled, though unkempt he may be. Flings the song of the 'sweep" ever gaily and free: "Your chimney, your chimney 011 clean!" NIENviA.?, GOWN NATURALLY, Mildred was greatly disappointed. But she really NI didn't see how she possibly could have done otherwise. You see, all the: girls—Nina, Sarah, Alice and herself— had been invited to the party given by Rose Gordon. And as the Gordons lived five miles away, a rather long drive was necessary. It was Indeed a shame that the buggy would hold only three of the girls. However, since one must be left, Mildred at once chose to be that one, for she knew how very badly Nina or Sarah or Alice would feel to be denied such a. pleasure, Yes, she did feel lonely when all had departed and she remained alone 1n the big house. She certainly must do some- thing in ordhr to try to' "forget"; so she climbed up the broad stairway, and then up two other nights of steps, until she reached the tiny attic, right under the gable of the roof. She always went there, you know, when she 'wished to forget her troubles. There she was alone with her Secret, it was a delightful secret, too. Delving in the great "hair" trunk she would bring forth the old garments of her grandmother. Then such fun she had donning this treasured finery and bow- ing to herself in the huge antique mir- ror whose frame was festooned with cobwebs! Was that the doorbell ringing? Breathlessly she tiptoed to the bottom of the attic stairs. Yes, there was the sound again. Forgetting entirely her costume, she ran down to the door and thing it open. It was a Very nice -looking man who stood. on the steps, but why did he Mare at her so? Oh, now she remembered! Growing painfully red she half turned, as though to flee in her confusion. "Won't you PLEASE stay Just 1130 you are?" eagerly begged the Men. "I'd be ever so much obliged." Taking a pad and pencil from his Pocket he rapidly began to sketch, chatting briskly to her the while. He was an artist, Ile said, and had come merely to ask permission to sketch 'within the grounds. "Charming! charming study!" he re- marked when he had finished, and bad carefully tucked the completed sketch away In his capacious pockets. Then he talked so nicely to Mildred that before she realized what sho was doing he had ledAa rnndealsrb owubt ahterditaretubbeleksina kind Man do but take her on a good, long automobile rldel 'You see, he bad left the ear right ontskie the gate. Enjoy herself? Why, she had one of the best times of her life. And' you 3130.1' be surej that she didn't regret in the least her, absence from the party. 1 BALANCING TRICK ree AN you balance a plate en the point of a needle? Very likely you will think not; but you will be able to perform this trick—after YoU've learned the right way. There May be a number of wrong ways, but usually there's only one right way. So 11 10 in this ease. Stick a needle Almoner a stout cork, lengthwise, allowing the poly t to protrude a little above the top 00 0115 cork. That part of the needle which protrudes at the baso of the cork cut oft with a pair of sharp pincers, OR a level with the cork. Insert the cork firmly in the neck of a good-sized bottle. Split two Other corks in half, along their length. Bun a needle through each half cork, having it enter on the long, freshly Made surface and al- most at right angles to it. By thief arrangement you eon fasten the tour half corks to the rim of a plate, mak- ing aura there is an equal clIstane0 of rim bethmen each. Insert the prongs of a, table fork ite the bottom Of each half cork. You 21111 010,' ir able to balance your plate on the po nt of the needle, as a trial will prove to your satisfaction. ADJUSTMENT Or APPARATUS His Virst Thought. The following question was put tro my: "What Wore the thoughts that passed through Sir /saae Newton's mind When the apple fell upon his head?" ainnny replied in this wise: "Sir Isaac Newton 'roagined 110 Wad lucky IL wasn't a brick that dropped." A New Method, "Wen, this IS fanny!" exclaimed Toni', when he saw his lint trolley ear; "rile sten wagons pulled by horses and I've teen 'Int go by steam, init novor Seen '0133 run hY it clothes prop beforat • Amusing Answers. Teddy ,Tones may always 'be relied upon to give the Most unexpected ane ewers in school. The other day he de. fined a. piece of blottlng paper as "tannethIng you ileVe 00 hunt all oreeS the house for while the Ink le gettinS. dry," When asked to name the molest form al animal fife, 110 resporaledi "Please, a gli site is the highest term o11aninilalife " Ts This Vour Answer? Teschsr—Sanmel, tont is on excuse'? Saraneg—Sornothing YOU tAll think of When yeti Want to.