CONTENTS
I。THEWATERGOATS
II。MR。BILLINGS’SPOCKETS
III。OURFIRSTBURGLAR
I
THEWATERGOATS
\"Andthen，\"saidthelandscapegardener，combinghissilky，pointedbeardgentlywithhislong，artisticfingers，\"inthelakeyoumighthaveacoupleofgondolas。Twowouldbesufficientforalakeofthissize；amplysufficient。Yes，\"hesaidfirmly，\"Iwouldcertainlyadvisegondolas。Theylookwell，andthechildrenliketorideonthem。Andsodotheadults。Iwouldhavetwogondolasinthelake。\"
MayorDuganandtheCityCouncil，meetingasacommitteeofthewholetoreceivethereportofthelandscapegardenerandhisplanforthenewpublicpark，noddedtheirheadssagely。
\"Sure！\"saidMayorDugan。\"Wewanttwoofthim——ofthimgon——
thimgon——\"
\"Gondolas，\"saidthelandscapegardener。\"Sure！\"saidMayorDugan，\"wewanttwoofthim。Remimberth’gondolas，Toole。\"
\"Ihavethimfastinmemind，\"saidToole。\"Iwillnotletthimgitaway，Dugan。\"
Thelandscapegardenerstoodaminuteindeepthought，lookingattheceiling。
\"Yes，thatisall！\"hesaid。\"Myreport，andtheplan，andwhatIhavementioned，willbeallyouneed。\"
ThenheshookhandswiththemayorandwithallthecitycouncilmenandleftJeffersonvilleforever，goingbacktoNewYorkwherelandscapegardenersgrow，andthedoorswereopenedandthecommitteeofthewholebecameoncemoretheregularmeetingoftheCityCouncil。
Theappropriationforthenewparkwasrushedthroughintwentyminutes，passingthesecondandthirdreadingsbythereadingofthetitleunderasuspensionoftheby-laws，andbeingunanimouslyadopted。ItwasamatteroflifeanddeathwithMayorDuganandhisring。Jeffersonvillewasgettingtiredofthejoyfulgrafters，andmurmursofdiscontentwereconcentratingintothreatsofareformpartytoturnthecheerfulrascalsout。
Thenewparkwastobeasopthrowntothepopulace——somethingtomakethecityproudofitselfandgratefultoitsmayorandcouncil。ItwasmorethanapetschemeofMayorDugan，itwasalifeboatforthering。Inhalfanhourthecommitteeshadbeenappointed，andthemayorturnedtotheregularbusiness。ThenfromhisseatattheleftofthelastrowlittleAldermanToolearose。
\"MistherMayor，\"hesaid，\"howaboutthim——thimdon——thimdon——
\"Golas！\"whisperedAldermanGrevemeyerhoarsely，\"dongolas。\"
\"Howaboutthimdongolas，MistherMayor？\"askedAldermanToole。
\"Sure！\"saidthemayor。\"Willannyonemovethatwegittwodongolast’putinth’lakeforth’kidst’rideon？WillannyonemovethatAldermanToolebeaconmitteeofwant’gittwodongolast’putinth’lake？\"
\"Imakedotmotions，\"saidAldermanGreveneyer，halfraisinghisgreatbulkfromhisseatandsinkingbackwithagrunt。
\"Sicondth’motion，\"saidAldermanToole。
\"Movedandsiconded，\"saidthemayor，\"thatAldermanToolebeacommitteet’buytwodongolast’putinth’lakeforth’kidst’
rideon。Yehaveheardth’motion。\"
Themotionwasunanimouslycarried。ThatwasthekindofCityCouncilMayorDuganhadchosen。
WhenlittleAldermanTooledroppedintoCasey’ssaloonthatnightonhiswayhomehedidnotslipmeeklytothefarendofthebar，asheusuallydid。Forthefirsttimeinhisaldermaniccareerhehadbeenputonacommitteewherehewouldreallyhavesomethingtodo，andhefeltthehonour。HeboldlytookaplacebetweenthebigmayorandAldermanGrevemeyer，andsaid：\"Oneofth’same，Casey，\"withtheairofamanwhohasmattersofimportanceonhismind。Hefeltthatthingswerecominghisway。
Eventhebigmayorseemedtoappreciateit，forheputhishandaffectionatelyonToole’sshoulder。
\"Mike，\"saidthemayor，\"aboutthimdongolas，now；haveyethoughtannyaboutwhereyewouldbegettin’thim？\"
\"Ihavenot，\"saidToole。\"Iwasthinkin’’twouldbegoodt’
thinkitoverabit，Dugan。Mebby’twouldbebestt’gitthimatChicagy。\"Helookedanxiouslyatthemayor’sface，hopingforsomesignofapprovalordisapproval，butthemayor’sfacewasnoncommittal。\"Butmebbyitwouldn’t，\"concludedToole。Asafeelerheadded：\"Wouldyebewantin’met’havethimmadehere，Dugan？\"
ThebigmayorpattedTooleontheshoulderindulgently。
\"It’supt’you，Mike，\"hesaid。\"Yeknowth’wayDugandoesthings，an’th’wayhelikesthimdone。ItrustthimthatIkintrust，an’whinIputamanoncommitteeI’mdonewidth’thing。
Ofcoorse，\"headded，puttinghismouthclosetoToole’sear，andwinkingatGrevemeyer，\"yewillseethatthereisarake-offformean’th’byes。\"
\"Sure！\"saidToole。
Thebigmayorturnedbacktothebarandtookadrinkfromhisglass。Grevemeyertookadrinkfromhisglass，also。SodidToole，gravely。DuganwipedhismouthonthebackofhishandandturnedtoTooleagain。
\"Mike，\"hesaid，\"whatdoyethink？Mebby’twoulddoaswellt’
gitacoupleofsicond-handdongolasan’havethimpaintedup。Iftheywasinpurtygoodshapenowanwouldknowth’difference，an’’twouldmakeabitmorerake-offferth’byes，mebby。\"
\"Th’samewordwasonth’indo’metongue，Dugan，\"saidToole，noddinghisheadslowly。\"Iwasconsiderin’thisveryminutewhereIcouldlaymehandonacoupleofpurtygooddongolasthathasnotbeenusedmuch。Flannagancouldpaintthimupfine！\"
\"OrStoltzenaucoulddosuchpaintings，\"interposedGrevemeyer。
\"Sure！\"agreedthebigmayor。Hetoyedwithhisglassamoment。
\"Mike，\"hesaidsuddenly，\"whatth’divilisadongola，anyhow？\"
MikeToolewasjustraisinghisglasstohislipswiththemovementsofoneaccustomedtoholdconversationwiththemayor。
Hislefthandrestedonhiship，withhisarmakimbo，andhishatwastippedcarelesslytothebackofhishead。Thehandraisinghisglassstoppedshortwhereitwaswhenheheardthemayor’squestion。Hefrownedattheglass——scowledatitangrily。
\"Adongola，Dugan\"——hesaidslowly，andstopped。\"Adongola\"——
herepeated。\"Adongola——didyeaskmewhatadongolamightbe，Dugan？\"
Thebigmayornodded，andGrevemeyerleanedforwardtocatchtheanswer。Casey，too，leanedonhisbarandlistened。AldermanTooleraisedhisglasstohislipsandfilledhismouthwiththeliquor。Instantlyhedashedtheglassfuriouslytothefloor。Hejerkedoffhishatandcastitintoafarcornerandpulledoffhiscoat，throwingitafterhishat。HewasclimbingontothebarwhenthebigmayorandGrevemeyerlaidtheirhandsonthelittlemanandheldhimtightly。Thebigmayorshookhimonceandsethimonthefloor。
\"Mike！\"saidthebigmayor。\"What’sth’matterwidye？Whatareyegoin’aftherCaseythatwayfor？Isitcrazyyeare？Orhaveyegoneinsane？\"
\"Knock-outdrops！\"shoutedToole，shakinghisfistatCasey，wholookeddownathiminastonishment。\"Knock-outdrops！Iwillhaveth’lawonye，Casey。Iwillhaveth’jointclosed！I’llteachyet’begivin’knock-outdropst’th’alderminofth’
city！\"
\"Mike！\"criedthebigmayor，givinghimanothervigorousshake。
\"Shutupwidye！Caseywouldn’tbegivin’yeannythingthatwasn’tgoodforye。Caseywouldn’tbegivin’yeknock-outdrops。\"
\"No？\"whisperedMikeangrily。\"No？Wouldn’the，Dugan？An’whathashedonet’memimory，then，Dugan？Whathasheputinth’
drinkt’robmeofmemimory？WanminuteagoIknewaswellannyothermanwhatadongolaislike，an’nowIhavenomimoryofannydongolasatall。WanminuteagoIcouldhavetoldyeth’
wholehistoryofdongolas，fromth’timeofAdamuptillnow，an’
havedrawedapictureofwanthatannywancouldrecognize——an’
nowIwouldn’tknowwanifyewasshowitt’me！Iwasaboutt’
tellyeth’wholehistoryofdongolas，Dugan；’twasonth’indofmetonguet’giveyeatalkondongolas，whinItookadrink。Yesawmetakeadrink，Grevemeyer？\"
\"Ya！\"saidGrevemeyer。noddinghisheadsolemnly。\"Youtooksuchadrink！\"
\"Sure，\"saidToole，arranginghisvest。\"Grevemeyersawmetaketh’drink——annowIhavenomimoryofdongolasatall。Ifyewast’showmeachromoofwanIwouldn’tknowwasitadongolaorwhat。I’mashamedofye，Casey！\"
\"Ifyedoneit，Casey，yehadn’thaveoughtt’havedoneit，\"
saidDuganreprovingly。\"Th’mindofhimmightberuinedintirely。\"
\"Stop，Dugan！\"saidToolehastily。\"Iforgivehim。Memindwilllikelybeallrightbymornin’。’Tispurtygoodyit，ixciptonth’subjictofdongolas。I’mtimporarilyoutofremimbrancewhatdongolasis。’Tisoddhowthimknock-outdropsworks，Grevemeyer。\"
\"Ya！\"saidthealdermanunsuspectingly，\"gifingsuchaforgetfulnessonsucheasythingsasdongolas。\"
\"Sure！YoutellDuganwhatdongolasis，Grevemeyer，\"saidToolequickly。
Grevemeyerlookedathisglassthoughtfully。Hismindworkedslowlyalways，buthesawthatitwouldnotdoforhimtohaveknock-outdropssosoonafterToole。
\"Ach！\"heexclaimedangrily。\"YouareinsultingtomemitsuchquestionsToole。SomuchwillItellyou——neveraskGermanswhatisdongolas。ItisnotforGermanstotalkaboutsuchthings。
AskCasey。\"
Caseyscratchedhisheadthoughtfully。
\"Dongolas？\"herepeated。\"Ihaveheardth’word，Grevemeyer。
Waitabit！’Tissomethingaboutshoes。Sure！Iremimber，now！
’Twasdongolashoeswanofmekidshad，lastwinter，an’nogoodtheywere，too。Dongolasisshoes，Grevemeyer——lacedshoes——
dongolasislacedshoes。\"
Thebigmayorleanedhisheadfarbackandlaughedlongandloud。Hepoundedonthebarwithhisfist，andslappedTooleontheback。
\"Lacedshoes！\"hecried，wipinghiseyes，andthenhebecamesuddenlyserious。\"’Twouldnotbeshoes，Casey，\"hesaidgravely。
\"Thimdongolaswasricommindedbyth’landscape-gardenerfromNewYorrk。’Twouldnotbesinsiblet’ricommindusputapairoflacedshoesinth’parklakeferth’kidst’rideon。\"
\"’Twouldnotseemso，\"saidToole，shakinghisheadwisely。\"I
wishtmemindwaslikeitalwaysis。’Tisapity——\"
\"Stop！\"criedCasey。\"Ihaveit！Thimwaskidshoes。Thimdongolaswaskidshoes。\"
\"Sosaid，Casey，\"saidDuo’an\"Forth’kid。\"
\"No，\"saidCasey，\"ofth’kid。\"
\"Sure！\"saidGravemeyer。Soitis——theshoesofthechild。\"
\"Rightferye！\"exclaimedCasey。\"Th’kidshoesofth’kid。
’Twaskidleathertheyweremadeoutof，Dugan。Th’dongolaissomefancykindofagoat。Likebox-calfisth’skinofth’calfofth’box-cow。Th’dongolaissomeforeignkindofagoat，Dugan。\"
\"Ho，ho-o-o！\"criedToole，suddenly，knockingonhisforeheadwiththeknucklesofhisfist。Thethreementurnedtheireyesuponhimandstared。
\"Whatailsyenow，Mike？\"askedDugan，disgustedly。
\"Ho-o-o！\"hecriedagain，slappinghimselfonthetopofhishead。\"Memindiscomm’backt’me，Dugan！Th’effectsofth’
knock-outdropsiswearin’off！Irecallnowthatth’dongolaissomefancykindofagoat。’Twillallcomebackt’mesoon。
\"Goalongwidye！\"exclaimedDugan。\"Wouldyebeputtin’agoatinth’lakeforth’kidst’rideon？\"
\"Sure！\"saidTooleenthusiastically。\"SureIwould，Dugan。Notth’commongoatIwouldn’t。ButdongolagoatsIwould。Haveyeheardofdongolawatergoats，Casey？Wasthimdongolagoatskinshoeswarrantedt’bewater-proof？\"
Caseywrinkledhisbrow。
\"’Tisliketheywas，Toole，\"hesaiddoubtfully。\"’Tisliketheywaswarrantedt’be，buttheywasn’t。\"
\"Sure！\"criedToolejoyously。\"’Tiswater-proofth’skinofth’dongolawatergoatsis，liketh’skinofth’duck。An’swim？
Aduckisn’tinitwidawatergoat。Iremimberseein’thiminouldIrelandwhinIwasabye，Dugan，swimmininth’lakeofKillarney。Ah，’twasapurtypicture。\"
\"Iseemt’remimberthimmesilf，\"hesaid。\"Notclear，butabit。\"
\"Sureyedo！\"criedToole。\"Many’sthetimeIhaverodeacrossth’lakeonth’backofadongola。Meownfather，whowasabigmaninth’ouldcountry，usedt’keepapairofthimforuschilder。’TwashimselffetchedthimfromDonnegal，Dugan。’TwasfromDonnegaltheygotth’nameofthim，an’’twasth’nameyegivethimthatmisledme。Donnegoraswaswhatwecalledthiminth’ouldcounry——donnegorasfromDonnegal。Iremimberth’twoofthimIhadwhinIwasakid，Dugan——wanwasaNanny，an’wanwasaBilly，an’——\"
\"Goonhome，Mike，\"saidDugan。\"Goonhomean’sleepitoff！\"
andthelittlealdermanfromtheFourthWardpickeduphishatandcoat，andobeyedhisorders。
Institutinganewpublicparkandseeingthatineverypurchaseandeverycontractthereisarake-offfortheringisabigjob，andbetweenthisandthefightagainsttherapidlyincreasingstrengthofthereformparty，MayorDuganhadhishandsmorethanfull。Hehadnotimetothinkofdongolas，andhedidnotwanttothinkofthem——Toolewasthecommitteeondongolas，anditwashisdutytothinkofthem，andtoworryaboutthem，ifanyworrywasnecessary。ButTooledidnotworry。HesatdownandwrotealettertohiscousinDennis，officialkeeperofthezooinIdlewildParkatFranklin，Iowa。
\"DearDennis，\"hewrote。\"HaveyouanydongolagoatsinyourmenageryforIwanttworightawaygoodstrongonesanswerrightawayyouraffectionatecousinaldermanMichaelToole。\"
\"Psmonnynoobject。\"
WhenDennisToolereceivedthisletterhewalkedthroughhiszooandconsideredhisanimalsthoughtfully。Theshop-wornbrownbearwouldnotdotofillcousinMike’sorder；neitherwouldtheweather-wornreddeernorthefamilyofvariegatedtamerabbits。
ThezooofIdlewildParkatFranklinwaswoefullyshortofdongolagoats——infact，toanybutthemostimaginativeandeasilypleasedchild，itwaslackinginnearlyeverythingthatmakesazooacongressoftheworld’smostrareandthrillingcreatures。Afterall，thenearestthingtoagoatwasagoat，andgoatswereplentyinFranklin。DennisfeltanirresistiblelongingtoaidMike——thelongingthatcomestoanyhealthymanwhenarequestisaccompaniedbythelegend\"Moneynoobject。\"HewrotethateveningtoMike。
\"DearMike，\"hewrote。\"I’vegottwogoodstrongdongolagoatsIcanletyouhavecheap。I’moverstockedwithdongolasto-day。I
wanttogetridoftwo。ZooisgettingtoocrowdedwithallkindsofanimalsandIdon’tneedsomanydongolagoats。Iwillsellyoutwoforfiftydollars。Apiece。Whatdoyouwantthemfor？
Youraffectionatecousin，DennisToole，Zookeeper。PS。Cratesextra。\"
\"Casey，\"saidMiketohisfriendthesaloonkeeperwhenhereceivedthiscommunication，\"’tisjustasItoldye——dongolasisgoats。Ihavebeencorrispondin’withwanofth’celibratedanimalmenregardin’th’dongolawatergoat，an’Ihavemeeyeontwoofthimthisveryminute。But’twillbeixpinsive，Casey，mightyixpinsive。Th’dongolawatergoatisararebirrd，Casey。
Theyhavebecomeextinctinth’lakesofIreland，an’whatfewofthimisleftinth’worrldisheldatoutrajeousprices。Inth’
letterIhavefromth’animalman，Casey，hewantstwohundreddollarsapieceforeachdongolawatergoat，an’’twillbenoeasythingforhimt’gitthim。\"
\"Hasn’thethiminhisshop，Mike？\"askedCasey。
\"Hehasnot，Casey，\"saidthelittlealderman。\"Hehasnoplaceforthim。Cageshehas，an’globesforgoldfish，an’birrdcages，butth’sizeofth’shopl’avesnoroomforanaquarium，Casey。
Hehasnotankforthepreservationofwatergoats。
Hippopotamusesan’alligatorsan’crocodilesan’dongolawatergoatsan’sealionshedoesnotkeepinstock，Casey，butsindsoutan’catchesthimwhinordered。Hewritesthathisagintshastheireyesontwofinedongolas，an’hehastiligraphedthimt’
catchthim。\"
\"Aretheynearby，Mike？\"askedCasey，muchinterested。
\"Naw，\"saidToole。\"’TwillbesometimetillIgitthim。Th’
lastheheardofthimtheywereswimmin’inth’LakeofGeneva。\"
\"Isitfar，th’lake？\"askedCasey。
\"Idisremimberhowfar，\"saidToole。\"’TisinAfricaorAsia，ormebby’tisinConstantinople。Wanofthimcountriesitis，annyhow。\"
ButtohiscousinDennishewrote：
\"DearDennis——Iwilltakethemtwodongolas。Cratethemgoodandsolid。DonotsendthemtillItellyou。Sendthebilltome。
YouraffectionatecousinaldermanMichaelToole。PsMakebillfortwohundreddollarsapiece。Businessisbusiness。Thisisbetweenustwo。M。T。\"
AKeeperoftheWaterGoatshadbeenselectedwiththeutmostcare，combininginthechoicepracticalpoliticswithasenseoffitness。TimothyFaganwasusedtoanimals——foryearshehaddrivenadumpcart。Hewasusedtochildren——hehadtenorelevenofhisown。AndhecontrolledseveralvotesintheFourthWard。
Hiselevationfromthedump-cartofthestreetcleaningdepartmenttothehighofficeofKeeperoftheWaterGoatswasonethatDuganbelievedwouldgivegeneralsatisfaction。
WhenthegoatsarrivedinJeffersonvillethetwoheavycrateswerehauledtoAldermanToole’sbackyardtoawaittheopeningofthepark，andthereMayorDuganandGoatKeeperFagancametoinspectthem。AldermanTooleledthewaytothemwithpride，andMayorDugan’screasedbrowalmostuncreasedashebentdownandpeeredbetweenthebarsofthecrates。Theywerefinegoats。
Perhapstheylookedsomewhatmoredejectedthanagoatusuallylooks——moredirtyanddownattheheelsthanagoatoftenlooks——
buttheywereundoubtedlygoats。AsspecimensofordinaryIrishgoatstheymightnothavepassedmusterwithacarefulbuyer，butnodoubttheywereexcellentexamplesofthedongola。
\"Yehavedonegood，Mike，\"saidthemayor。\"Yehavedonegood！
Butain’ttheymebbyabitofftheirfeed——orsomething？\"
\"Offtheirfeed！\"saidToole。\"An’whowouldn’tbe，poorthings？Mindye，Dugan，thimisnotcommongoats——thimisdongolas——an’usedtobein’inth’wathercon-continuousfrommornin’tillnight。’Tissufferin’foraswimtheybe，pooranimals。Wanceletthimgitinth’lakean’yewillseeth’
difference，Dugan。’Twillmakeallth’differenceinth’worrldt’thim。’Tisdyin’foraswimtheyare。\"
\"Sure！\"saidtheKeeperoftheWaterGoats。\"Yehavedonegood，Mike，\"saidthemayoragain。\"Thimdongolaswillbeabigsurpriseforth’people。\"
Theywere。TheysurprisedtheKeeperoftheGoatsfirstofall。
Thedaybeforetheparkwastobeopenedtothepublicthegoatsweretakentotheparkandturnedovertotheirofficialkeeper。
Ateleveno’clockthatmorningAldermanToolewasleaningagainstCasey’sbar，confidentiallypouringintohisearthestoryofhowthedongolashadgiventheircaptorsaworldoftrouble，swimmingviolentlytothefarreachesofLakeGenevaandhidingamongthebulrushesandreeds，whentheswingingdoorofthesaloonwasbangedopenandTimFaganrushedin。Hewasmad。
Hewasverymad，buthewasagreatdealwetterthanmad。Helookedasifhehadbeensoakedinwaterovernight，andnotwrungoutinthemorning。
\"Mike！\"hewhisperedhoarsely，graspingthelittlealdermanbythearm。\"Iwantye！Iwantyedownatth’park。\"
AchilloffearpassedoverAldermanToole。HeturnedhisfacetoFaganandlaidhishandonhisshoulder。
\"Tim，\"hedemanded，\"hasannythinghappenedt’th’dongolas？\"
\"Isannythinghappenedt’th’dongolas！\"exclaimedFagansarcastically。\"Isannythingwrongwiththimwatergoats？Oh，no，Toole！Nawthin’hasgonewrongwiththim！Onlytheywon’tgointoth’wather，Mike！Isannythinggonewrongwiththim，didyesay？
Nawthin’！Theybeingoodhealth，buttheyarenotcrazyt’beswimmin’。Th’waytheydonothankert’dashintoth’waterismarvellous，Mike。Nowaterforthim！\"
\"Hist！\"saidTooleuneasily，glancingaroundtoseethatnoonebutCaseywasinhearing。\"Mebbyyehavenotstartedthimright，Tim。\"
\"Mebbynot，\"saidFaganangrily。\"MebbyIdonotknowhowt’
startth’watergoat，Toole！Mebbythereisonewayunbeknownstt’me。Ifso，Ihavenottriedit。Butth’forty-sivinotherwaysIhavetried，an’th’goatswillnotswim。Ihavestartedthimbackwardsan’Ihavestartedthimfrontwards，an’Ihavetookthiminbyth’hornsan’givethimlessonst’swim，an’theywillnotswim！Ihavedonemedutybythim，Mike，an’Ihavewrastledwiththim，an’rolledinth’lakewiththim。Wasitt’beswimmin’teachert’watergoatsyegotmethisjobfor？\"
\"Hist！\"saidTooleagain。\"Notsoloud，Tim！Yehaven’ttoldDuganhaveye？\"
\"Ihavenot！\"saidTim，withanger。\"Ihavenottoldannybodyannythingexciptthimgoatsan’whatItoldthimisnotdacinthearin’。Ihaveconversedwiththiminstronglanguage，an’itdonenogood。Noswimmin’forthim！Comeondownan’haveachatwiththimyersilf，Toole。Comeondownan’arguewiththim，anpersuadethimwithth’softsoundofyervoicet’swim。Comeondownan’gitthimwatergoatsusedt’th’water。\"
\"Yedon’tunderstandth’watergoat，Tim，\"saidTooleingentlereproof。\"Iwillshowyehowt’handlehim，\"andhewentout，followedbythewetKeeperoftheWaterGoats。
Thetwowatergoatsstoodatthesideofthelake，wetandmournful，tiedtotwostrongstakes。Theylookedwearyandmeek，fortheyhadhadahardmorning，butassoonastheysawTimFagantheybrightenedup。Theyarosesimultaneouslyontheirhindlegsandtheireyesglitteredwithdeadlyhatred。Theystrainedattheirropes，andthen，suddenly，panic-stricken，theyturnedandran，bringingupattheendsoftheirropeswithashockthatbentthestoutstakestowhichtheywerefastened。Theystoodstillandcowered，trembling。
\"Layhold！\"commandedToole。\"Layholdofahornofth’brutetillIshowyehowt’makehimswim。\"
Throughthefreshgravelofthebeachthefourfeetofthereluctantgoatplougheddeepfurrows。Itshookitsheadfromsidetoside，butTooleandFaganhelditfast，andintothewateritwent。\"
\"Now！\"criedAldermanToole。\"Gitbehindan’push，Tim！Wan！
Two！Three！Push！\"
AldermanToolereleasedhisholdandKeeperoftheWaterGoatsFaganpushed。Thentheytriedtheothergoat。Itwaseasiertotrytheotherwatergoatthantowastetimehuntinguptheonetheyhadjusttried，forithadgoneaway。AssoonasAldermanTooleletitgo，itwent。Itseemedtowanttogettotheotherendoftheparkassoonaspossible，butitdidnottaketheshortcutacrossthelake——itwentaround。Butitdidnotmindtravel——itwenttothefarthestpartofthepark，anditwouldhavegonefartherifitcould。SoAldermanTooleandKeeperFagantriedtheotherwatergoat。Thatonewentstraighttotheotherendofthepark。Itswervedfromastraightlinebutonce，andthatwaswhenitshiedatapailofwaterthatwasintheway。Itdidnotseemtolikewater。
IntheFranklinZooDennisToolehadjustremovedthelidofhistinlunch-pailwhenthetelegraphboyhandedhimtheyellowenvelope。Heturneditoverandover，studyingitsexterior，whiletheboywenttolookattheshop-wornbrownbear。Thezookeeperdecidedthattherewasnowaytofindoutwhatwasinsideoftheenvelopebuttoopenit。Hewasreadyfortheworst。Hewondered，unthinkingly，whichoneofhisfortyormorecousinswasdead，andopenedtheenvelope。
\"DennisToole，FranklinZoo，\"heread，\"Dongolaswon’tswim。
Howdoyoumakethemswim？Telegraphatonce。MichaelToole。\"
Helaidthetelegramacrosshiskneesandlookedatitasifitwassomestrangecommunicationfromanothersphere。Hepushedhishattoonesideofhisheadandscratchedthetuftofredhairthusbared。
\"’Dongolaswon’tswim！\"’herepeatedslowly。\"An’howdoImakethimswim？IwonderdoesCousinMiketaketh’goatt’beafish，orwhat？Iwonderdoeshetakeswimmin’tobewanofth’
accomplishmentsofth’goat？\"Heshookhisheadinpuzzlement，andfrownedatthetelegram。\"Wouldhebehavin’agoatregatta，Iwonder，orwasheexpectin’th’goatt’beaweb-footedanimal？
’Won’tswim！’herepeatedangrily。’Won’tswim！’An’whatisittomeiftheywon’tswim？NaytherwouldIswimifIwasagoat。
’Tisnoneofmeaffairiftheywillnotswim。Therewasnawthin’
saidabout’swimmin’goats。’GoatsIcangivehim，an’dongolagoatsIcangivehim，anjumpin’goats，an’climbin’goats，an’
walkin’goats，but’tisnotinmelinet’furnishsubmarinegoats。
No，norgoatst’flyupinth’air！Wouldannyone，\"hesaidwithexasperation，\"wouldannyonethatgotaplainorderforgoatsixpictt’havet’furnishgoatsthatwouldhopupoffth’earthan’makeaballoonascension？’TisnofaultofDennisToole’sthimgoatswon’tswim。WhatwillMikebetelegraphin’menixt，I
wonder？’DearDennis：Th’goatswon’tlayeggs。Howdoyemakethim？’Bye，haveyeapieceofpapert’writeananswert’mecousinMikeon？\"
TheKeeperoftheWaterGoatsandAldermanTooleweresittingonarusticbenchlookingsadlyatthewatergoatswhentheJeffersonvilletelegraphmessengerbroughtthemDennisToole’sanswer。AldermanToolegraspedtheenvelopeeagerlyandtoreitopen，andFaganleanedoverhisshoulderashereadit：
\"MichaelToole，Alderman，Jeffersonville，\"theyread。\"Puttheminthewaterandseeiftheywillswim。DennisToole。\"
\"Putthiminth’wather！\"exclaimedAldermanTooleangrily。
\"Whydon’tyeputthiminth’wather，Fagan？Whydidyenotthinkt’putthiminth’wather？\"Helookeddownathissoakingclothes，andhisangerincreased。\"Whyhaveyebeentryin’t’
makethimdongolasswimonland，Fagan？\"heaskedsarcastically。
\"Orhaveyebeenthrowin’thimupinth’airt’seethimswim？
Whydon’tyeputthiminth’wather？Whydon’tyefollowth’
instructionsofth’expertdongolawatergoatmanan’putthiminth’watherifyewantthimt’swim？\"
Faganlookedattheangryalderman。Helookedatthedrippinggoats。
\"SoIdid，Mike，\"hesaidseriously。\"Webothofusdid。\"
\"An’didwe！\"criedAldermanTooleinmocksurprise。\"Isitpossiblewethoughtt’putthiminth’watherwhinwewantedthimt’swim？Itwasinmemindthatwetiedthimtoatreean’playedring-around-a-rosywiththimt’inducethimt’swim！Where’sapencil？Where’sapieceofpaper？\"hecried。
Hejerkedthemfromthehandofthemessengerboy。Theafternoonwashalfwornaway。Everyminutewasprecious。Hewrotehastilyandhandedthemessagetothemessengerboy。
\"Fagan，\"hesaid，astheboydisappeareddownthepathatarun，\"raiseupyerspiritsancomean’giveth’watergoatssomemoreinstructionsinth’ginteelartofswimmin’inth’wather。\"
Fagansighedandarose。Hewalkedtowardthedejectedwatergoats，and，takingthenearestonebythehornsyankedittowardthelake。Thegoatwastooweaktodomorethanholdbackfeeblyandbleatitsdisapprovalofanotherbath。Themorelessonsinswimmingitreceivedthelessitseemedtoliketoswim。Ithaddevelopedapositivehatredofswimming。
DennisToolereceivedthesecondtelegramwithasavagegrin。
Hehadexpectedit。Heopeneditwithmaliciousslowness。
\"DennisToole，FranklinZoo，\"heread。\"WheredoyouthinkI
putthemtomakethemswim？Theywon’tswiminthelake。Itwon’tdonogoodtousforthemtoswimondryland。Nofooling，now，howdoyoumakethemdongolasswim？Answerquick。
MichaelToole。\"
Hedidnothavetostudyouthisreply，forhehadbeenconsideringiteversincehehadsenttheothertelegram。Hetookablankfromtheboyandwrotetheanswer。ThesunwassettingwhentheJeffersonvillemessengerdeliveredittoAldermanToole。
\"MikeToole，Jeffersonville，\"itsaid。\"Quitfooling，yourself。
Don’tyouknowyoungdongolasarealwayswater-shyatfirst？Tietheminthelakeandletthemsoak，andtheywilllearntoswimfastenough。IfIdidn’tknowanymoreaboutdongolasthanyoudoIwouldkeepclearofthem。DennisToole。\"
\"Listentothatnow，\"saidAldermanToole，asmilespreadingoverhisface。\"An’whoeversaidIknewannythingaboutwatergoats，annyhow？Th’naturalhistoryofth’watergoatisnotwanofthethingsusuallyconsideredpartofth’iducationofth’
aldermanfromth’FourthWard，Fagan，but’tissurprisedIamthatyedidnotknowth’goatisliketh’soupbean，an’hast’
besoakedbeforeusin’。Th’Keeperofth’WaterGoatshouldknowth’habitsofth’animal，Fagan。Whydidyenotputthimintosoakinth’firstplace？Iamsurprisedatye！\"
\"Itescapedmemind，\"saidFagan。\"Iwasthinkin’thesewasbroket’swimmin’an’didnotneedt’besoaked。Iwonderhowlongtheyshouldbesoaked，Mike？\"
\"’Twilldonoharrmt’soakthimovernight，annyhow，\"saidToole。\"Overnightisth’usualsoakgivent’th’soup-beanan’
th’saltmackerel，t’saynawthin’ofth’codfishan’othersofth’water-goatfamily。Letth’watergoatssoakovernight，Fagan，anbymornin’theywillbereadyt’swimlikeatrout。Wewillanchorthiminth’lake，Fagan——an’wewillsaynawthin’t’
Dugan。’Twouldbeablowt’Duganwashet’learnth’dongolasprovidedferth’parkwasyoungan’wather-shy。\"
Theyanchoredthewatergoatsfirmlyinthelake，andleftthemtheretoovercometheirshyness，whichseemed，asFaganandTooleleftthem，tobeasgreatasever。Thegoatsgazedsadly，andbleatedlongingly，afterthetwomenastheydisappearedinthedusk，andwhenthemenhadpassedentirelyoutofsight，thegoatslookedateachotherandcomplainedbitterly。
AldermanToolethoughtfullychangedhiswetclothesfordryonesbeforehewenttoCasey’sthatevening，forhethoughtDuganmightbethere，andhewas。HewastherewhenToolearrived，andhisbrowwasblack。Hehadhadabaddayofit。Everythinghadgonewrongwithhimandhisaffairs。Alargelumpofhisadherentshadsloughedofffromhispartyandhadaffiliatedwithhisopponents，andtheeveningoppositionpaperhadcomeoutwithared-hotarticlecondemningtheadministrationforrecklessextravagance。IthadespeciallycondemnedDuganforburdeningthecitywithnewbondstocreateanunneededpark，andthewholethinghadendedwithascreechofironiclaughteroverthe——sotheeditorcalledit——fittingcapstoneofthewholebusiness，thepurchaseoftwodongolagoatsatperfectlyextravagantprices。
\"Mike，\"saidthebigmayorseverely，whenthelittlealdermanhadofferedhisgreetings，\"thereisthedivilan’allt’payaboutthimdongolas。Th’Newsisfullofthim。’Twillbeth’indofusalliftheydonotpanoutwell。Haveyetriedthiminth’
wateryet？\"
\"Sure！\"exclaimedthelittlealdermanwithaheartinesshedidnotfeel。\"Whathasmean’Faganbeendoin’alldaybuttryin’
thim？Havenofearofth’wathergoats，Dugan。\"
\"Dotheyswimwell，Mike？\"askedthebigmayorkindly，butwithawearyheavinesshedidnottrytoconceal。
\"Swim！\"exclaimedToole。\"Didyesayswim，Dugan？Swimisnonameforth’waytheyripthro’thewather！’Twasmarvelloust’
seethim。Ah，thimdongolasiswonderfulanimals！Doyethinkwecouldpersuadethimt’comeoutwhinwewantedt’comehome？Notthim，Dugan！’Twasallmean’Fagancoulddot’pullthimoutbymainforce，an’th’minuteweletgoofthim，backtheywintintoth’wather。’Twaspitifult’hearth’waytheybleatedt’beletbackintoth’watheragin，Dugan，soweletthimstayinforth’
night。\"
\"Yedidnotletthimlooseinth’lake，Mike？\"exclaimedthebigmayor。\"Yedidnotletthimbesotheycouldgitaway？\"
\"No，\"saidToole。\"No！They’llnotgitaway，Dugan。Weanchoredthimfast。\"
\"Yedonegood，Mike，\"saidthebigmayor。
ThenextmorningKeeperoftheWaterGoatsFaganwasdownsufficientlyearlytodragthebodiesofthegoatsoutofthelakelongbeforeeventhefirstcitizenwasadmittedtothepark。
Alone，andhastilyhehidtheminthelittletoolhouse，andlockedthedooronthem。ThenhewenttofindAldermanToole。Hefoundhiminthemayor’soffice，andbeckonedhimtooneside。Inhot，quickaccentshetoldhimtheuntimelyfateofthedongolawatergoats，andthemayor——withaneyeforeverythingonthatimportantday——sawtheredfaceofAldermanToolegrowlongerandredder；sawthelookofpainandhorrorthatoverspreadit。A
chillingfeargrippedhisownheart。
\"Mike，\"hesaid。\"What’sth’matterwithth’dongolas？\"
ItwasFaganwhospoke，whilethelittlealdermanfromtheFourthWardstoodbereftofspeechinthisawfulmoment。
\"Dugan，\"hesaid，\"Ihavenothadmuchixperiencewithth’
dongolawathergoat，an’th’waysan’habitsofthimisstranget’me，butifIwast’saywhatIthink，Iwouldsaytheywasover-soaked。\"
\"Over-soaked，Fagan？\"saidthemayorcrossly。\"Talksense，willye？\"
\"Sure！\"saidFagan。\"An’over-soakediswhatIsay。Thimwatergoatshasallth’looksofbein’soakedtoolong。Iwouldnotsaypositive，YerHonour，butthatisth’looksofthim。Ifmeownmotherwast’askmeIwouldsayth’same，Dugan。’Soakin’toolongdoneit，’iswhatIwouldsay。\"
\"Youareafool，Fagan！\"exclaimedthebigmayor。
\"Well，\"saidFaganmildly，\"Ihavenothadmuchixperienceinsoakin’dongolas，ifyemeanthat，Dugan。Idonotsetupt’beanexpertdongolasoaker。Idonotknowth’rulest’goby。Somemaylikethimsoakedlongan’somemaylikethimsoakednotsolong，butifIwastosay，Iwouldsaythimtwodongolasatth’
parkhasbeensoakedadangsighttoolong。Th’swimhasbeensoakedcleanoutofthim。\"
\"Aretheysick？\"askedthebigmayor。\"Whatisth’matterwiththim？\"
\"Theydolooksick，\"agreedFagan，breakingthebadnewsgently。\"Ishouldsaytheylookmightysick，Dugan。Iftheylookedannysicker，Iwouldbeaftherlookin’foraplacet’burythimin。An’Iamlookin’forth’placenow。\"
Asthetruthdawnedonthemindofthebigmayor，helosthisfirmlookandsankintoachair。Thiswasthelastbrickpulledfromunderhisstructureofhopes。Hisheadsankuponhisbreastandformanyminuteshewassilent，whilehisaidesstoodabashedandillatease。AtlastheraisedhisheadandstaredatToole，moreinsorrowthaninresentfulness。
\"Mike，\"hesaid，\"MikeToole！Whatinth’worrldmadeyesoakthimdongolas？\"
\"Dugan，\"pleadedToole，layinghishandonthebigmayor’sarm。
\"Dugan，oldman，don’tlookatmethatway。Therewasnawthin’
elset’dobutsoakthimdongolas。Many’sth’timeIhaveseenmeoldfathersoakin’th’youngdongolast’limberthimupforswimmin’。’Ifiveryehavetodowithdongolas，Mike，’heusedt’
sayt’me，’soakthimwellfirrst。’SoIsoakedthim，an’’tisnoneofmefault，norFagan’seither，thattheysoakedfullo’
wather。First-classdongolasiswather-proof，asiveryoneknows，Dugan，an’howwaswet’knowthimtwowasnot？Howwasmean’
Fagant’knowtheirskinswouldsoakinwatherlikeapillowcase？Smallblametous，Dugan。\"
Thebigmayortookhisheadbetweenhishandsandstaredmoodilyatthefloor。
\"Goawnaway！\"hesaidafterawhile。\"Yehavedoneformean’
th’byes，Toole。Yehavesoakedusoutofoffice，wanan’allofus。Iwantt’bealone。Itisalloverwithus。Goawnaway。\"
TooleandtheKeeperoftheWaterGoatsstolesilentlyfromtheroomandoutintothestreet。Faganwasthefirsttospeak。
\"Howwaswet’knowthimdongolaswouldsoakinwatherthatway，Toole？\"hesaiddefensively。\"Howwaswet’knowtheywasnotth’wather-proofkindofdongolas？\"
ThelittlealdermanfromtheFourthWardwalkedsilentlybytheKeeper’sside。Hisheadwasdowncastandhishandswereclaspedbeneaththetailsofhiscoat。SuddenlyhelookedFaganfullintheface。
\"’Twasourfault，Fagan，\"hesaid。\"’Twasallourfault。Ifwedidn’tknowthimdongolaswaswather-proofweshouldhavevarnishedthimbeforeweputthiminth’laket’soak。Idon’tblameyou，Fagan，foryedidnotknowannybetter，butIblamemesilf。ForIcallt’mindnowthatmefatheralwaysvarnishedth’dongolasbeforehesoakedthimovernight。’Takenochances，Mike，’heusedt’sayt’me，’alwaysvarnishthimfirrst。Someofthimisrubberyan’willnotsoakupwather，butsomeisspongy，an’’tisbestt’varnishonean’allofthim。\"’
\"Thinkofthatnow！\"exclaimedFaganwithadmiration。\"Sure，butthisnaturalhistoryisawonderfulscience，Toole！Tothinkthatthimanimalswasth’spongyhideddongolawatergoatsofforeignlands，an’usedt’bein’varnishedbeforeeachan’everybath！An’t’metheylookednodifferentfromth’goatsofmebyehood！Iwasnevercutoutforagoatkeeper，Mike。An’mejobonth’dump-cartisgone，too。’TwillbehardtimesforFagan。\"
\"’TwillbehardtimesforToole，too，\"saidthelittlealderman，andtheywalkedonwithoutspeakinguntilFaganreachedhisgate。
\"Well，annyhow，\"hesaidwithcheerfulphilosophy，\"’tisbettert’beusthantobethimdongolawatergoats——deadoralive。’TisnottoooftenItakeabath，Mike，butifIwaswanofthimspongy-hideddongolasan’hadt’bevarnishedeachtimeI
gotinmebathtub，Iwouldstopbathin’forgoodan’all。\"
Helookedtowardthehouse。
\"I’llnotworry，\"hesaid。\"Maggiewillbesadt’hearth’jobisgone，butshewouldhavetookithardert’knowherTimwaswastin’histimevarnishin’th’slabsideofaspongygoat。\"
