The story
“The boy’s parents were poor, and he helped out the family income by selling newspapers. He was a lonesome little chap, and had no pals among the other chaps, and although he never admitted it openly he longed for someone who would love him and be a chum. While at work one day, the youngster met a dog, seemingly homeless, and most certainly hungry. The boy divided his scanty noonday meal with the dog, and was delightfully happy when the dog refused to go away, insisting upon accompanying the child home. The newsboy found that his joy was not shared by the members of his family. They regarded the animal as an unnecessary luxury, but finally consented to take him in. Then for a few days the child was happy, for he had something to lavish his affection upon. Anxiety came to him, however, when his father told him that a crusade against unlicensed dogs was to be instituted, and that all animals without tags would promptly be captured and destroyed. The amount of the license fee was trifling, but it was far beyond the financial ability of the newsboy. After vainly trying to borrow money from his mother, the youngster spent his spare time doing odd jobs, and slowly but surely his secret hoard mounted.
“The trouble was, however, that there was a time limit. The day before it expired the boy counted over his money and found that he was 21 cents short of the necessary sum. He had learned by patient inquiry that the law would not permit a partial payment, and his little heart was filled with bitterness. He had done all he could, and there was nothing left now but to defy the authorities. Accordingly he wrote a ‘warning’ to the police. In it he informed the police that he had labored hard and faithfully, but had been unable to amass the sum necessary for a dog license. A great big policeman saw the child shove this threatening message under the station house door. He read it, then called his companions, and they also perused the document. Perhaps they were afraid; perhaps their hearts were touched. Anyhow, very shortly afterwards, they marched around to the boy’s house and made him happy for a year by presenting him with a collar and a license good for one good dog that a little newsboy loved.”
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 7 September 1912
