ism born
of long familiarity. But one morning when he and Carl were on their
way to school he met with an accident which was unusually hard to
bear.

As they were passing a high board fence they heard a great barking and
growling, as if a lot of dogs were tearing one another to pieces.
"What in the world!" exclaimed Carl, trying to find some crack or
knothole.

"You can't see in that way," Ikey cried scornfully, and giving a
spring he grasped the top of the fence and drew himself up to look
over.

Exactly how it happened he could never tell; probably his curiosity
was resented, for before he had time to see anything, some sharp
teeth made themselves felt, and he dropped down groaning, "My nose! My
nose!" Carl was very much alarmed at sight of the blood that streamed
down from his face, but had presence of mind to remember a doctor's
office in the next block.

"Your nose isn't all gone, is it?" he asked anxiously, as he led the
way.

"No, I think there is some of it left," came in muffled tones from the
handkerchief Ikey held to his face.

Fortunately the doctor was in and dressed the wound, pronouncing it
not serious, but advising his patient not to be in such a hurry to
investigate strange dogs another time, or he might lose the whole of
his nose instead of only a slice.

Relieved that it was no worse, and not being in the habit of making a
fuss over his hurts, Ikey decided to go on to school.

Perhaps if he could have looked in the glass he would not have been so
ready, for the yellow plaster did not add to his beauty.

Now all danger was over, Carl could not contain himself, but laughed
and laughed till his friend's feelings were somewhat hurt.

They were late of course, and created a sensation when they entered,
and the suppressed amusement among the boys became an uproar at
recess. It was decidedly trying to be the object of so much school-boy
wit; to hear over and over again: "Ikey, what ails your
nose?"--"Can't you wear it in a sling?"--"Or put a shade over it?"--or
to see on the blackboard lines adapted from Mother Goose:

"It used to be a blackbird, so the story goes,
But now it is a puppy dog that nips off his nose."

He stood it bravely till school was over, but on the way home, at
sight of the girls on the corner he made a sudden dive across the
street.

"Where is Ikey going?" Louise asked, in surprise, of Carl and Aleck.

"He has lost his nose," answered the latter.

"Has he go