CRIPPLE FRED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 51

CRIPPLE FRED.

By Mubbat Aston.

Chaptee IV. Home. Poor Fred felt the loss of Tiny almost beyond the power of endurance. For a few seconds, indeed, he was quite dazad by the blow, so heavy was it and so unexpected. Then, having recovered himself, his thoughts turned to the police sergeant, and from him to the kind inspector. His little mind was coon made up, and without the loss of valuable time he made his wsy as quiokly as his afflict ion would permit to the police station. His reception there was most friendly, probably from the cause that ih is a certain fact that when the cbief of any est-sblishmenfc or office possesses kind and gentlemanly instincts all those beneath him, as a rule, take their cue from him. So it has often been remarked . that when a boorish or ill-mannered parson is unfortunately placed in power the force of bad example is frequently to be observed in the. conduct of his underlings. Fred was admitted to the inspector's room, and related to that gentleman the eirea m- - stances attending the theft of bis pet in as few words as possible. A ring of the bell brought the sergeant on the scene, and that officer was not slow, from Fred's account, in pronouncing the thief to be no other, in his opinion, than the notorious Hairy Cap Bill, who was, he said, "well known to tha police." The inspector was about to issue an order to his subordinate in connection with the „ case when the telephone bell rang out, "Is that the police station?" asked a Bweet voice. ' "Yes." " Lady Somerset speaking. There is a man here with the dog I gave to the little cripple. You remember ? " •' I do," replied the inspector. " He says," continued the lady, " that he found Tiny in Holborn ; but some time ago I paid him £5 tor finding the same dog." "Is the man in your ladjsbip's house now ? " queried tbe officer. "Yes; he is in the study with Lord Somerset." 11 Well, I will send round the sergeant at once in a hansom. Yon had better allow him' to deal with the case." And in a few minutes Hairy Cap Bill was arrested, and, although Lord Somerset declined to prosecute, the police were so convinced o£.,Bill's guilt that the day following he was charged before a hard-hearted stipendiary magistrate " with having no visible means of support," and sentenced as a rogue and a vagabond " to three months' hard labour." Ladj Somerset resolved to enlist her husband'a^aid in improving the condition of •Cripple Fred's family. Accordingly his father was offered and accepted a position as gamekeeper on the country estate. Be- ' hold them, therefore, comfortably settled in a lovely village in Surrey, where Fred fairly revels in the sylvan scenery/ the songs of vrild birds, the fresh invigorating air, and the wholesome food for both body and soul —the last-named from Christian workers in the parish, who under the guidance of a saintly vicar look after the spiritual wellbeing of all in that circle in which they are content to move. The roses are. coming stronger into Fred's cheeks and those of his brother and sister. Their mother can often be beard singing at her work ; and the gamekeeper himself has ■ been known to declare, with tears in his eyes, that. Fred is "the good hargelof hiabloomin' little lot." There is a fine fat pig in their stye, and they keep real Dot king fowls ! - What about Tiny ? Well, he duly accompany d his master to tbe oountry, and the pair are inseparable, except when tbe naughty wayward creature causes poor Fred a pang of anxiety by stealing from his side in pursuit of some big hare or a rabbit far larger than himself, presently, to return panting and penitent — only,' however, to repeat the offence on the first opportunity; and kind- hearted Cripple Fred always forgives him, and always will do so. (Conclusion.)