Dandy's Discovery by M. Louisa Locke

Author:M. Louisa Locke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M. Louisa Locke

After they finished their tea, Emmaline took the tray down to the kitchen, and when she returned, she reported that Kathleen and Tilly were bringing the carpets and curtains back up to the Steins’ rooms. She then opened up one of her schoolbooks and started on her lessons for the next day.

Annie began reading this morning’s San Francisco Chronicle and the weekly California Farmer’s Journal, hoping at least to get through the business news before Abigail woke up. However, before long, she heard the gurgling sounds her daughter started to make as she came awake. She took Abigail upstairs to change her diaper, but she brought her back down to the parlor because it was still too hot on the second floor.

When she got back, she was surprised to see that Ian and Jamie were there, talking animatedly with Emmaline. Normally, they wouldn’t be home for at least another hour.

“Mrs. Dawson, here’s your Bulletin!” Ian said merrily when he saw her, putting the newspaper down on the table. “News was top-notch today, so we were able to sell all our papers in record time.”

Jamie was kneeling to let his black and white terrier, Dandy, lick his face, which was the dog’s usual greeting for his master. He added, “There was an earthquake in Hollister yesterday, a couple of buildings collapsed, and President Garfield’s taken a turn for the worse. There’s talk about moving him to the Jersey Shore. That’s enough, Dandy. Be a good boy and sit.”

Dandy, who Jamie frequently reminded everyone was a special breed called a Boston Terrier, was small and compact. His short, shiny black fur and the white markings around his neck, on his chest, and around his front paws, made him look like a gentleman dressed for a night on the town. Hence the name Dandy. He had a black button nose and squashed-in muzzle, short, erect ears, and a minuscule, crooked tail that twirled around when he was excited, as he was now.

Abigail cooed and pointed at the terrier, which surprised Annie, since her daughter usually didn’t notice the dog. However, Dr. Brown said that Abigail’s eyesight would be getting better, so she would be able to see further distances.

Annie said, “Yes, dear. That’s Dandy. He’s a doggie. Just like your doggie that you sleep with. I bet he would be glad to lick your face, too, but I think that wouldn’t be such a good idea.”

“Mrs. Dawson,” Ian said, “Emmie’s just told us that you agree that there might be a rat in the house.”

“I said we needed to look into the possibility. I suppose it could also just be mice. However, in case it is a rat, maybe I should look into hiring a rat catcher, now that we don’t have Queenie to rid us of vermin.”

Jamie piped up, “I bet Dandy could find and catch a rat. I’ve seen pictures of those two dogs, Bummer and Lazarus, famous ratters back in the day. Always thought that Bummer looked a little like Dandy.

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