Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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up to my words, I would have a dreadful time in town. You dggnit say,', he growled meaningly, his eyes aglitter. Well, he turned around and motioned toward that disreputable sheep- hound who had edged up. f'There's a wit- ness. I DARE you to live up to your words. I turned cold with fright and shame. Me, Lady Agatha the Third, to kiss such a-oh, words fail me. It was frightful. The very thought sickened me. But yet I couldn't re- fuse. The disgrace of kissing him would be much better than the thought of what the other canines would say. You see, I have a sort of reputation in town of never having refused to take a dare. Pm something like that human fellow, Steve Brodie, I think his name was. By this time Beebo was close to us, his large tongue hanging out, his eyes half-closed oblivious to all that was happening. 4'Well, ' grunted Sir Colvin, Pm waiting. He flicked his tail in satisfaction. He had me in a pickle and knew.it. Coming to a decision I stepped over to Beebo, grimaced, and licked his face rapidly, once. Wwhy, you should have seen the ex- pression on that creature's countenance. His eyes popped open wide, his body seemed to shrivel, and from his throat issued the queer- est sound I have ever heard, something like the baa of a sheep. Glancing at Sir Colvin, I saw him wriggling with joy, his mouth open in complete ecstasy. Giving a short bark of contempt, I walked rapidly away. I, Lady Agatha, to be humiliated in such a manner! Well, the next day everyone knew of this event. Sir Colvin saw to that. And how he gloated. Wherever I went I was met with glances that would never before have been cast my way. It soon grew totally unbearable. And to augment this tragic state of affairs, that mutt-that-dog, Beebo, as though not realizing why I had shown such affection for him, followed me around wherever I went, like a bodyguard. Never would he let me out of his sight. Occasionally he tried to get into our house, but my mistress saw to his staying out, thank goodness. My mistress and master, quite naturally, could not under- stand what was going on. All they saw was this simply horrible, ugly, despicable hound, following me wherever I went. And to say the least, they were displeased. But the worst one, by far, was that--dog, Sir Colvin. When- page ffty-three

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dog, there,s no doubt about that. But what kind is beyond me. Anyhow, his name is Beebo. He's tremendous in size, always dirty Che belongs to no onej, and professes to adore me. Such humiliation! Well, that about completes the list of characters, so on with my tale. fNo pun intended., One day, after returning by car from a dog show in which Sir Colvin and I carried away the honors, I was permitted to go to the village for a little jaunt before being turned in for the night. As I was pacing slowly along the sidewalk fand being ac- corded my due respectl, I noticed Sir Colvin carrying on a flirtation with a sheephound of some low breed. At sight of me, however, he left l1er and raced over to my side. '6Har-ya, Aggie,'9 he grinned. Howie the old gal? We sure carried away the show today. '4Yes, and due to no credit of yours, I replied tesjjly. Your mistress certainly beauty-parlored you up sleek. Why, you smell like a room full of perfume? '6Well, you're not exactly a pansy your- self, he grinned in return. But never mind that. How about a little smacker, huh ?', Humph,', I barked, my nose so high in the air that it grew cold. '4I'd sooner kiss-9' I looked around for an object of my feelings, and beheld Beebo pacing lumborously down the street. Whenever I see that dog he's al- ways going nowhere-slowly. I don't believe he could get up enough energy to shake a fly off his tail. I-Ie's big, and clumsy, a cross between a shepherd and a great dane. His tail reminds one of a mountain road, winding up and down and landing goodness knows where. I-Iis thick matty fur is always covered with burrs, while the idiotic, senseless grin that spreads over his countenance continu- ously, seems to fit him perfectly. He's a sort of fixture in town. He lives on scraps that people throw him, sleeps half the time and the other half he is busy looking for food. No- body knows where he came from, and every- body wishes he would return soon. He's amiable, and good-natured, but not the sort of animal to add prestige to our little town. Still hot from Sir Colvin's retort, I added, snapping, Pd sooner , kiss-yes-Beebo, there. No sooner l1ad I uttered these words than I regretted them. Sir Colvin was a great punster and practical joker. If I didn't live page fifty-two

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, S. 13' sv: Bi ximfgui x , L ' h-:Q S' , VNU A ,vgxx 2 X' ij it EQNQKZ' f 1 P- S. . W ' 1 i f' , W X A I ' e ever he saw me, with my shadow close behind, he would set up the most awful gyrations, barking and yelling, and acting like a six month's old puppy. This state of affairs went on for about a week, and let me tell you it was awful. No matter where I went, there was this mutt fol- lowing me, never letting me out of his sight. And you should have heard the remarks those dogs uttered, as they saw us. Hi ya, Aggie, how's your shadow? Doing anything to- night ? It was simply unbearable. Once, exasperated beyond measure, I turned to- wards Beebo and cried: WiH you PLEASE let me alone, and follow somebody else? Chase your shadow, do anything but get out of my sight. He only grinned, displaying yellow, ugly, teeth. I gave up in despair. Exactly eight days after the beginning of this-what shall I call it, martyrdom ?-I was walking with my mistress who was wheeling the carriage with the baby inside. Behind me, as usual, paced Beebo. Once or twice my mistress attempted to Shoo him away, but after retreating for a few paces he loped back, that idiotic grin spread over his entire face. In disgust, my mistress decided to tol- erate him, and I, of course, completely igs nored the dog. After about an hour's enjoy- able walking fit was a beautiful morningj, we entered the edge of the woods which skirted our county, and presently found our- selves at the top of a rather high hill which led at a steep grade to the icy waters of the lake, far below. It was a beautiful sight, the tall trees waving gently too and fro around us, the waters rippling softly below, the low hum of insects as they went merrily about their tasks, the sweet singing of the birds in the branches, I was thrilled to my very mar- row. fMy goodness, I never realized I was that poetic., My mistress set the carriage fits lock for the wheel being brokenl against a rock, and seating herself on a stone slab, started to read a book she had brought along. I was about to go off in search of butterflies, when I heard a terrific howling, as of a dozen dogs barking at once. Beebo, who had remained near the carriage, the had a keen affection for the childl perked his scraggedly ears at the sound. A moment later we saw Sir Colvin, his tail waving like a Hag on a windy day, come rac- ing full speed straight for us. Behind him page fifty-four