The story
“The little boy’s life was all happiness up to the time that he was nearly nine years old. He lived with his grandfather, who seemed to be rich and gave him all the pets that any child could ask for. So it was quite a shock to him when dear grandpa died, and he found that all the money had flown away, for the old man had suffered unexpected reverses in Wall Street, which was really the cause of his death. Perhaps the pangs of poverty might not have been so severe had it not been for the fact that cruel creditors seized everything. Jack saw the expensive furniture disposed of without a pang, but when they began to dispose of his pets to the highest bidder, despite his protest, things began to look serious. Several of his loved ones had gone under the hammer before he decided what to do. Then he took his poodle, the only pet left, and fled from the accursed house. It is pretty hard for a little boy to make his way in the world, especially difficult if there is another mouth to feed, even if that other mouth is satisfied with dog biscuits. So it was not long before the youngster began to fear that he would be compelled to ask charity, to keep his little home together.
“Luck came his way at last, for in a nearby town he saw posters advertising an Animal Congress. Convinced that his pet was bright, far more intelligent than any other dog, he decided to apply for an engagement, knowing that the poodle would gladly work to get bread for his kind, young master. Much to his surprise, there was a distinct tendency at the theatre to jeer at him, but his troubles ended when the animal trainer appeared. For in the days of carefree youth, the trainer had been the groom at the boy’s home and they had been great friends. The groom was mighty fond of the child, and only too glad to do him a favor in time of his need. The youngster joined the former groom and became an assistant trainer. His friend and partner never regretted his kindness, for as he often said, ‘the act is 50% better now that I have Little Pal with me.’”
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 29 June 1912
