The Goody-Naughty Book Part 8

"P'rapsy," said her mother when the dose was down, "you've disobeyed me.

Are you sorry?"

"P-p-pr--yes!" sobbed P'rapsy under the bedclothes.

WHAT HAPPENED TO WAGGLES

Waggles was Jimmie's chum. He was never cross, and he loved Jimmie. And Jimmie loved Waggles, but sometimes Jimmie _was_ cross. It was when he was cross that he tied the can to Waggles's tail.

 

Waggles thought it was a new game, but at his first jump the can bounced up and struck him.

This frightened Waggles, and he tried to run away from the horrid, bouncing Thing. But the faster he ran the harder the Thing bounced, and the oftener it struck him. Waggles became wild with fright, and he gasped for breath as he raced along.

Suddenly he heard a voice that he loved: "Waggles! Waggles! Waggles!"

Waggles stopped running, and dropped, exhausted, at the feet of Jimmie's father.

"Poor Waggles!" said Mr. Brown tenderly as he cut the string. "I didn't suppose there was a boy in this town mean enough to do a thing like that."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Waggles thought it was a new game]

Waggles licked his hand and looked up at him gratefully. But Waggles was too much of a gentleman to tell on Jimmie, even if he could have spoken.

When Mr. Brown went home Waggles trotted along beside him.

"Jimmie," asked Mr. Brown that evening, "who tied that can to Waggles's tail?"

Jimmie said nothing, but his face grew red.

"Very well," said his father. "A boy who could treat a dog like that, doesn't deserve to have one. I shall give Waggles away."

Jimmie was very unhappy. He cried himself to sleep that night. But next morning who should come bounding in but Waggles! He jumped, and barked, and said "I forgive you" in every doggie way that he knew.

Jimmie hugged Waggles, and looked wistfully at his father.

"Well, Jimmie," said Mr. Brown, "since Waggles has forgiven you, I think I shall have to forgive you, too. Waggles may stay."

[Ill.u.s.tration: TURN OVER]