CRIPPLE FRED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 51

CRIPPLE FRED.

By Mtjbbay Astos.

Chaptub II. — The Dangeb of Possession. "Does yer mean it?" eagerly inquired Fred, hoarse, with emotion, as the lady held her little pet towards him. '•« Certainly, my child." '■ " But yer don't mean me to 'ate collar an r ftll wiv 'im 1 " asked tbe boy. "Yes, yes, I do. Tiny would be lost Without his collar. And, see, here is his chain." And opening her reticule, a beautiful silver chain was disclosed, which Oripple Fred soon made fast to the collar of the pretty little animal, and wound the other end not once or twice, but several times, around bis wrist — "for fear of haxiden*," as he naively explained to his benefactress. He was then proceeding to/basten home with; his piize when he was called to attention by the question : " Where do you live, little man 2 * " No. 99, Fuller's Rents."

•'And your nameis i " ' •' Crippie Fred," came the reply. " "Acd wob's your name, mann?" asked Fred ia his turn. ° My namo, child, is Lady Somerset," was the gracious but somewhat hesitating reply, for the lady considered it wrong to let her left hand know what her right did, since she was one of the few truly charitable ; and, as our tale will unfold, her kindness of heart proved in this respt ct of great value later on to her new-found friend. HavlDg entered c the address on her ivory tablets, the lad was permitted to hasten home as fast as hiß crutch and the inoumbranceof Tiny, who was struggling, oh I so hard to get back to his mistress, and giving voice to a series of pbarp, querulous little barka, would permit, Fred, however, bugged him closely to his breast, in wbich his poor heart was beating with great thumps, threatening to burst its bounds, and the sound of which seemed to startle trie animal considerably, as he ceased presently to cry, and with head on' one side and ears strangely posed, regarded his new owner with a curious look in his great expretsiye eyes. 11 It's all right, Tiny," said the cripple reassuringly, at the. same time regarding the dog with intense gffeotion. This was surely the happiest moment in his life 1 Suddenly a cry reached his ear wbioh dispelled his de-

light and caused him to corfie to a full stop in agonised unceitainty. 11 What cheer, oripply I Where did yer mike the tike?" " I didn't mike him nowheres," at last gasped poor Fred, wounded to the quick by tbe implied insult from bis friend the inquirer. v Well, if yer didn't mike 'im, where did you raise "ira ? " inquired 'the other boy. - " I didn't mike 'im nor raise "im," emphati08lly repeated the lad. "A lidy gived 'im to me, Sammy I " ' " Gam I " rejoined Sammy. "Go and tell that there to the 'orse marines 1" And having delivered hlmselE of that injunction Master Sammy came nearer for the purpose of a closer inspection. " Gosh I though, he's a real beauty, Yer muster snicked 'im," he exol&imed in the rough, loud tones affected bj\ the street boys of London, and indeed of all other countries. "I didn't sniok him," indignantly persisted Fred, and the words were hardly out of bis' mouth turning the corner sharply, the lads fell into the grasp of two policemen who had overheard the conversation. " Here," said one of them, who was, from the stripes on bis sleeves, evidently a sergeant, " let's see what you've got here." And when he saw the toy-terrier with -his silver collar and chain he gave a long and if a not very loud a very expressive whistle, and addressing his companion, said, " We mutt run these young chaps in. It's clearly a case," and hailing a cab the two boys were bundled into it, and notwithstanding their solemn declarations of innocence, were soon with their accuser before the inspector at the nearest police station. Now, this official was not only a clever, but also a humane man, which is even a better quality than being clever. Lots of people are clever, but bow few are kind 1 "Well, sergeant, what have you got here 1" he asked. " I don't think," he continued, " I hnow either of these lads." " Case of dog stealing, sir," said the sergeant, and he briefly stated the cate so far as he knew it. "Well, boyp," queried the inspector, "you've heard the sergeant; what do you say 1 " " Please, sir "—it was Fred who spoke — "Sammj htreknowk nothing about it." " That's Gospel trufe," endorsed Sammy. "An' has for me," went on the cripple, "a lidy in Oxford street give me the tike." At this the sergeant thought he might safely indulge in an incredulous grin. " Stop a bit," whispered the chief aside ; " I think, you've made a mistake for once. I know tbe breed of dog. It's a ' Somerset,' and the late owner, if I'm not mistaken, is the very woman to have given it to the poor cripple." Fred's quick ears caught the name of Somerset, which in tbe excitement of the moment had escaped his poor little mind, and clapping his hands together be cried v ©ut: " Yes, mister, that's her ! Lidy Somerset gived the little tike to me. She did, honour bright 1" And the waif proceeded to blow on the end of hi* finger tips in token of solemn corrcboration of his statement. •• All right, my lad ; we'll soon see if you are right." And going' to the telephone the glad news was gained in five seconds that t Fred waj-tbe rightful owner of Tiny. And it ' may be eaid that this wonderful invention t was never put to a better use. than on this ©Ocasion. , ?Serg«a&t. take, these lads to the canteen

and give them a good tea, and' then put them in a cab and take them home."

"And here, my men," said the kind inspector, " here are two medals in celebration of thi9 occasion," and he Blipped a half-crown each in their willing bands. Then followed such a tea— shrimps, wateroresseu, marmalade, plum cake, &c; for the sergeant, although piqued, knew that he was cot altogether free of blame, and did his beet to make amends.

They did ex. joy themselves, and Sammy whispered to Fred that he himself would be a " bobby " come day ; at which Cripple Fred sighed, but only just once.

(T» be continued.}