THe Orp

YORK:

LONDON,EDINBURGH & NEW

he

T: NELSON & SONS,

wN%&

    

~

 

War-HOoRSE
 

 

 

 

 

 

Pes
; ‘ERE
: ace
ef “ai 2
.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Docs oF ST. BERNARD

Page I8
 

Poa Vv Owen his

STORIES asovr ANIMALS

 

THE DOG AND THE MARE

Pageg

THOMAS NELSON AND SONS
London, Edinburgh, and New York
 

FAVOURITE

STORIES azsour ANIMALS

INTENDED TO SHOW THE REASONING
POWERS WHICH THEY POSSESS

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS
BY
HARRISON WEIR
AND OTHERS

THOMAS NELSON AND SONS
London, Edinburgh, and New York

1894
@Yontents.

The Dog and the Mare,

The Sheep-Dog and his Mistress’s
Cloak,

The Newfoundland Dee ce the
Marked Shilling,

The Sailor and the Dog,

The Dog and his Injured Friend,

The St. Bernard Dog,

The Affectionate Poodle, :

The Shepherd’s Dog and the Lost
Child, i.

Carlo and the Tarts, ...

A Clever Dog, ... es

The Terrier and the Ducklings,

An Eminent Member of the Humane
Society,

Tyrol, the Dog which Bane thie Bell,

Dandie, the Miser,

Story of a Newfoundland Dog,

The Dog and the Fowls,

Bronté,

A Wise St. Bernard,

Pussy and the Creana-Ji ug,

The Cat and the Knocker,

The Cat which Rang the Bell,

The Cat and the Hawk,

oOo

10

11
13
15
17
19

20
23
24
26

30
31
33
34
36
86
37
38
41
43

 

The Benevolent Cat, ...

Affection Exhibited by a Cat,

The Dishonest Cat,

The Cat and the Frog,

The Cat and the Prisoner,

The Cat that Died of Grief, ...

The Cat and the Canary,

The Cat and the Pigeon,

The Cat and the Puppies,

Our Puss,

The Cat and the Bassas 8,

The Wise Hare and her Pursuers, ...

The Two Goats, :

The Kind Ox and the Sheep,

A Cow Seeking her Calf,

The Cow and her Tormentor,

The Affectionate Buffalo-Bull,

The Brave Bull and the Wise Pig,

The Pony which Saved a Little
Girl’s Life, f

The Wise Horse and the Pantip,

Jack and his Driver,

The Old Charger,

The Soldier’s Noble Steed, E

The Faithful Horse and his Rider,

Two Wise Cart-Horses,

 
 

 

 

 

vill CONTENTS.
The Irish Horse and the Child, 81 | The Grateful Lion, \
The Humane Cart-Horse and the The Generous Lion and his ‘Aasatt
Child, 5 82] ants, a
Donkey B Bob, the Bolicehian 84 | The Tricks of Monkeys,
The Ass and the Door-Latch, 84 | The Wolf and his Master,
The Ass and the Teetotaller, 86 | The Cunning Wolf,
The Donkey and his Mistress, 86 | The Labourer and the Sly Fox,
The Musical Ass, Bh 87 | The Rats and the Wine-Cask,
The Brave Ass and his Foe, 88 | The Polar Bear and her Cubs,
The Newsman’s Horse, 89 | The Doe-Chamois and her Young,
The Shipwrecked Ass, .. 90] The Wise Beaver,
The Old Hawker and his Deakee 91 | The Tame Otter, id
The Baker’s Donkey, ... 92 | The Otter and her Young Ones,
The Elephant and the Rotten Bridge, 92 | The Ewe and her Lamh,
The Elephant and the Tipsy Soldier, 94 |The Ewe and her Old Home,
An Elephant’s Revenge, 95 | The Wild Turkey and the Dog,
The Elephant in a Well, 96 | The Tame Crow,
Usefully Clever Elephants, ... 98 | The Fox and the Wild- Fowl,
The Elephant Accusing his Driver The Prisoner set Free,
of Theft, .. 101 | Conclusion,

 

. 102

... 103
. 105
. 107
.-- 108
.. 109
.. 110
. 11

113

.. 115
.. 116
.. 117
.. 118
FAVOURITE STORIES ABOUT
ANIMALS.

 

THE DOG AND THE MARE.

Dogs and horses often form friendships. A Newfoundland
dog had become fond of a mare belonging to his master, and
seemed to think it his special duty to watch over his less
clever friend. Whenever the groom began to saddle the
mare, the dog used to lie down with his nose between his
paws, watching all tat went on. As soon as the work was
finished, up jumped the dog, seized the reins in his mouth,
and led the mare to her master, whom he followed-in his
ride.

On returning home, the reins were again given to him, and
he would lead his friend back to the stable. If the groom
happened to be out of the way, he would bark loudly till he
came, and then hand over his charge to him.

You may be young and little, but if you exercise thought
and care, you may help those who are much bigger and older
than yourself. Learn from the dog, however, not to give
yourself airs; you will have simply done your duty in making
yourself useful.
10 THE SHEEP-DOG AND HIS MISTRESS'S CLOAK.

THE SHEEP-DOG AND HIS MISTRESS’S
CLOAK.

THERE are many instances of dogs showing attention to their
owners’ interests. Mr. Jesse mentions one which shows a
wonderful power of reasoning in a dog.

A sheep-dog used to follow the farm-servants about the
farm, but ran home to be fed at the dinner-hour of his
mistress, returning afterwards to his duty in the fields.
One day, as he came near the house, he met a young woman,
whom he had never before seen, leaving it wearing his
mistress’s cloak, which had in reality been lent to her.
Hungry. as he was, he turned about and followed closely at
her heels, greatly to her alarm. Hurrying on, the dog still
kept close to her, till she reached the house in which the .
brother of the dog’s mistress lived, whom he knew very well.
On seeing the young woman enter it, the faithful animal
turned, and went quietly back to the farm. It was plain
that, from seeing her go into a house which he knew, he was
satisfied that she was a friend of the family. Had she gone
to a strange place, he would most likely have tried to take
the cloak from her. .

Follow what you believe to be right, like the faithful
sheep-dog ; and though the end may not answer your hopes,
do not lose heart. Go on acting rightly; the reward will
come,
- THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG AND THE MARKED SHILLING. 11

THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG AND THE
MARKED SHILLING.

I must now tell you a story which many believe, but which
others think “too good to be true.”

A gentleman who owned a fine Newfoundland dog, of
which he was very proud, was one warm summer evening
riding out with a friend, when he said that his dog would
find and bring to him any article he might leave behind
him, It was agreed that a shilling should be marked and
placed under a stone, and that after they had gone three or
four miles on their road, the dog should be sent back for it.
This was done—the dog, who was with them, seeing them
place the coin under the stone, which was rather a heavy
one. When they had ridden on for several miles, the dog
was sent back by his master for the shilling. He seemed
fully to understand what was wanted of him; and the two
gentlemen reached home, expecting the dog to follow at their
heels. They waited, however, in vain. The dog did not
appear, and they began to fear that some accident had befallen
him.

The faithful dog was, however, obedient to his master’s
orders. On reaching the stone he found it too heavy to lift,
and while scraping and working away, barking every now
and then in his eagerness, two horsemen came by. Seeing
the dog thus busy, one of them got off his horse and turned
over the stone, fancying that some animal was hiding beneath
it. As he did so, his eye fell on the coin, which—not know-
‘ing that it was the object sought for—he put into his pocket
12 THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG AND THE MARKED SHILLING,

- before the dog could get hold of it. Still wondering what
the dog wanted, he mounted his horse again, and with his
friend rode rapidly on to an inn nearly twenty miles off,
where they meant to pass the night.

But the dog had caught sight of the shilling as the
stranger put it in
his pocket, and he
followed them
closely, and noted
the sleeping - room
into which they
were shown. He
must have watched
them take off their
clothes, and have
seen the man who
had the shilling
hang his trousers
over the back ofa
chair. He waited
till the men were
fast asleep, and as
he could not take
the shilling out
of the pocket, he
seized the trousers in his mouth and bounded out of the
window, nor stopped till he reached his home. His master
was awakened early in the morning by hearing the dog

 

barking and scratching at his door. He was greatly surprised
to find what he had brought, and more so to discover not
 

 

THE SAILOR AND THE DOG. 13

‘only the marked shilling, but a watch and a purse besides. .
As he had no wish that his dog should act the thief, or that
he himself should become the receiver of stolen goods, he
advertised the articles which had been carried off; and after
some time the owner was found, when all that had happened
was explained.

The only way to account for the dog not seizing the
shilling as soon as the stone was removed is to suppose that
he thought the stranger was about to give him the coin, and
that he only found out his mistake when it was too late.
His natural gentleness and good nature may have prevented
him from attacking the man and trying to obtain it by
force.

Calmly and steadily follow up the line of duty which
has been laid down for you. When I see a boy studying
hard at his lessons, or doing his duty in any other way, I can
say “Ah, he is searching for the marked shilling; and I am
sure he will find it.”

 

THE SAILOR AND THE DOG.

ONCE when a vessel was out on the wide ocean, a raft was
seen at a distance floating on the waves. The captain of
the ship gave orders to his men to steer for the raft, as he
thought that there might be some shipwrecked persons on
it. Nearer and nearer they came to it, till at last they could
see a dog, and what appeared to be a man. A boat was
then lowered from the vessel, and ‘some of the sailors rowed
quickly te the raft. A young sailor and a dog were its only
 

14 THE SAILOR AND THE DOG.

occupants. The sailor was found lying senseless on the raft,
while his faithful dog stood over him and tried to rouse him
from his swoon. He was lifted into the boat, and the dog
leaped in after him, barking with joy at their being saved.
The sailors quickly rowed back to the ship, and the poor
shipwrecked lad, under the kind care of the captain, soon
recovered. He told them that, a week before, the ship he

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

was in had sprung a leak, and that he alone of all the crew
had been saved. For days and nights he had been drifting
about on the wide ocean. with none beside him but his faith-
ful dog.
The dreary night had passed away,
The dawn was in the skies,
But senseless on his héaving raft
The shipwrecked sailor lies.
 

THE DOG AND HIS INJURED FRIEND. 15

Yet, sleepless, watchful, faithful friend,
His dog is striving there

To rouse the sailor from his swoon,
To bid him not despair.

The dog has seen the distant sail
Across the rolling seas ;

The dog’s loud eager bark for help
Is borne upon the breeze !

And nearer, nearer comes the ship ;
And gallant tars prepare

To launch the boat to reach the raft—
Ob, who would now despair ?

Saved! saved they are! oh, blessed day !
The dog and shipwrecked boy,

Companions once in sufferings,
Companions now in joy.

The sailor lived to tell at home
How God had heard his prayer,

And sent in mercy help to him
When all was deep despair.

Learn, then, even in the darkest hour,
To trust the Almighty’s care ;

His eye beholds, his hand protects—
Oh, who would then despair ?

 

THE DOG AND HIS INJURED FRIEND.

Does often form warm friendships among themselves, and
help each other in time of trouble.
 

 

 

 

 

16 THE DOG AND HIS INJURED FRIEND.

Two dogs belonging to the same owner had become great
friends. Ponto and Dick we shall call them, though I‘am
not quite sure about their names. As Ponto’s lee was
broken, he was kept a close prisoner. His friend Dick,
instead of whining out a few common words of pity, such
as, “ Dear me, I’m so sorry; well, I hope you will soon get

 

better,” and then scampering off to amuse himself with other
dogs in the village, or to run after the cows, or to go out
hunting, came and sat down by his side, showing him every
kindness. Then, after a time Dick started up, as if saying,
“Ponto, I am sure you must be hungry; it must be dull
work for you lying there with nothing to do.” Without

 
 

 

‘THE ST. BERNARD DOG. — 17

waiting for Ponto to beg that he would not trouble himself,
off he set, and soon came back carrying in his mouth a nice
bone with plenty of gristle on it. “There, old fellow, munch
away; it will amuse you,’ he may have thought, putting
his prize down under his friend’s nose.

After watching with pleasure as poor Ponto gnawed
away with somewhat feeble jaws, till the bone was scraped
almost clean, he again set out in search of another. After
‘he had brought in several, he lay down as before by his
 friend’s side, just playing with one of the bones to keep
him company. Thus day after day Dick cheered and com-
forted his injured friend, till he got quite well and strong .
again.

When dogs thus show kindness and self-sacrifice, how
ought human beings to behave to those suffering from pain
or sorrow? When tempted to run off and amuse yourself,
leaving a sick friend at home, remember these two dogs.
Think of how much suffering there is in the world, and what
room there is for kindness and pity; and can you then be
hard-hearted, or heedless of the sufferings of others ?

 

THE ST. BERNARD DOG.

THESE dogs take their name from the Convent of St. Ber-
nard, where they are kept. This house is situated far up
in the pass of the Great St. Bernard—one of the most dan-
gerous of the Alpine passes. Here devoted monks live all
the year, for the purpose of aiding travellers; and, with the

help of their dogs, they have saved many lives. The dogs are
2

4
 

18 THE ST. BERNARD DOG.

trained to look for lost travellers; and every day in winter

 

they are sent out, generally in pairs. One has a basket of |

food and a flask of wine or brandy strapped to his neck; the |

other has a cloak strapped upon his back. Thus any poor |

fainting man whom they may find may be at once supplied
with food and clothing. If the man can walk, they lead
him towards the convent, barking loudly all the way for help,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and to let the monks know that they are coming back. If
the man is so faint and benumbed that he cannot move, they
go back to fetch the monks, and to guide them to the spot
where he is lying.

Sometimes the traveller is buried deep in the snow. If
the monks were alone, they could never find him; but the
dogs with their keen scent discover him, and they scratch
up the snow with their feet.

 
Shy CR ee

THE AFFECTIONATE POODLE. 19

One dog is said to have saved in this way as many as
forty-two lives! His name was Barry ; and he was as clever
as he was brave. Once a woman, who was going up the
mountain with her little son, was carried away by a snow-
slip. Barry found the little boy unhurt, but cold and stiff.
He managed, however, to get him on his back; and thus
carried him to the door of the convent, where he was taken

’ good care of by the monks.

 

 

THE AFFECTIONATE POODLE.

A GENTLEMAN residing at Dresden owned a poodle which he
had always treated kindly, and which was very fond of him.
He at length, however, made a present of her to a friend
living about nine miles off. As it was supposed that she
would probably try to return to her former master, she was
tied up till she became the mother of three young puppies ;
and so much taken up with them did she appear, that her
new owner no longer feared she would quit him. He there-
fore gave her her liberty.

Shortly afterwards, however, she and the three puppies
were missing. Search was made for them in vain. At
length her master’s Dresden friend ‘paid him a visit, and told
him that, on the evening before, the poodle had arrived at his
house with one of the puppies in her mouth, and that another
had been found dead on the road.

It seemed that she had started at night, carrying the
pups
certain distance, intending to go .back for the others. She

 

which were still too young to walk—one at.a time, a
 

 

20 THE SHEPHERDS DOG AND THE LOST CHILD.

had hoped thus to remove them all to her former much-loved
home. The third puppy was never found. The one that
died had perished by cold, it being the winter season.

 

 

 

 

 

THE SHEPHERD’S DOG AND THE
LOST CHILD.

I am sorry that I do not know the name of a certain
shepherd’s dog, which deserves to be printed in letters of
gold.

His master, who had charge of a flock which fed among
the Scottish hills, set out from home one day with his little
boy, scarcely more than four years old. The children of
THE SHEPHERD'S DOG AND THE LOST CHILD. 21

Scottish shepherds begin to learn their duties at an early
age. The day, bright at first, passed on, when a thick mist
began to rise, covering the whole country. The shepherd,
seeing this, hurried onward to gather his scattered flock,
calling his dog to help him, and leaving his little boy at a
spot where he believed that he should easily find him again.
The fog grew thicker and thicker; and so far had the flock
rambled, that some time passed before they could be gathered
together.

On his return to look for his child, the darkness was so
great that he could not find him. The anxious father wan-
dered on, calling on his child; but no answer came. His
dog, too, had disappeared. He had himself lost his way.
At length the moon rose, and then he discovered that he
was not far from his own cottage. He hastened towards it,
hoping that the child had reached it before him; but the
little boy had not come back, nor had the dog been seen.
The grief of the parents was terrible, and cannot be put into
words. No torches could be had, and the shepherd had to
wait till daylight ere he could set out with a friend or two
to assist him in his search. All day he searched in vain.
On his return, sick at heart, at nightfall, he found that his
dog had come home during the day, and after getting his
usual dinner, in the shape of a bannock, had scampered off

at full speed across the moor, being out of sight before any

one could follow him.

All night long the father waited, hoping that the dog
would return; but as the animal did not appear, he again
set off on his search as soon as it was daylight. While he
was away, the dog hurried up to the cottage, as on the day

 
 

22 THE SHEPHERDS DOG AND THE LOST CHILD.

before, and went off again as soon as he had received his
bannock.
After this had occurred on two other days, the shepherd

resolved to remain at home till his dog should appear, and

then to follow him.

The wise animal appeared as before, and at once under-
stood his master’s purpose, for instead of scampering off at
full speed, he kept in sight as he led the way across the

 

moor. It was then seen that he held in his mouth the
larger part of the cake which had been given him. The
dog led the shepherd to a waterfall which roared and foamed
amid rocks into a long deep hollow. Having descended a
very steep cliff, the dog entered a cavern, close in front of
which the boiling torrent passed. The shepherd with great
difficulty made his way to it, when, as he reached the en-
trance, he saw his child, unhurt, seated on the ground eating
 

CARLO AND THE TARTS. 23

_ the cake which the dog had brought. All the time the dog
_ stood watching his young charge, with a proud feeling that
he was doing his duty.

The father, fondly clasping his child, carried him up the
_ steep way, down which it appeared he had scrambled in the
dark, in order to reach the cave. This he had been afraid
to quit on account of the torrent; and here the dog by his
scent had traced him, and had watched over him night and
day. Knowing that food was as needful for the child as for
himself, he had gone home to fetch him some of his own
dinner.

Thus the faithful animal, by the exercise of his reason-
ing power, had saved the child’s life.

 

CARLO AND THE TARTS.

My dog Carlo was a very useful friend. I used to send him
on errands. He seemed to be proud of the trust, and would
trot along looking neither to the right nor to the left. One
day I sent him to the baker’s for some tarts; and away he
went, with the basket in his mouth. The baker put the
tarts into the basket, as he had often done before, and Carlo
set off for home.

On his way home he met another dog, who, after getting’
a smell of the tarts, thought he would turn back and go with
Carlo. They had gone but a short distance, when all at once
the strange dog pushed his nose into the basket, snapped out
a tart, and started to run away with it.

Carlo dropped the basket and sprang at the thief. The
24 A CLEVER DOG.

noise of the fight soon brought all the dogs in the street to
the spot; and seeing the tarts, they at once began to help
themselves. Carlo looked as if he did not know what to do,
It was enough to drive the poor fellow mad to see the tarts
going one by one. What could he do with so many dogs ?
He thought it all out in a moment. Making peace with
the crowd, he joined in the feast, and helped to finish the

 

 

 

tarts with a right good will. J saw the whole thing from
the window ; but the joke was too good to be spoiled, so I
let them finish the tarts.

 

A CLEVER DOG.

SomE years ago, a little boy, not more than eight years old,
was sent on an errand. As he was going home, a lame dog,
A CLEVER DOG. 25

rough and dirty, came limping after him. He saw that the
dog had been ill used, and that it wanted a friend. So he
let it follow him home. When the little boy asked his
mother if she would let the dog come into the house, the
poor dog seemed to know what was said. The mother, who
had taught her children to be kind and gentle, did not turn
the poor, hungry, lame dog away. She let it go into the
wash-house.

 

The children gave it some food, and some water to drink,
and some clean straw to lie on. After a few days it was
well again. It soon made itself clean, and began to show
how pleased it was with its new home. The children gave
the dog the name of Elf, and it was their friend as well as
their pet. It used to go with them to school, and keep
away any bad boys who tried to tease or to hurt them.
When they went into school, Elf walked back to the house,
and stayed in the yard with the fowls. It watched that
 

26 THE TERRIER AND THE DUCKLINGS.

they did not stray, and that no one stole them. No bad boys
dared to throw stones at them when Elf was near.

When it was time for the children to leave school, their
mother would say, “Elf, it is time to bring the children
home.” No sooner were the words said, than off it ran.

Yes, and more than that; Elf at last became so clever a
dog, that on a wet day it would carry an umbrella in its
mouth. Look at the picture, and you will see Elf all ready
to start for school. Sometimes boys in the street tried to
take the umbrella from it; but Elf was too quick for them.
It would run past them at full speed, and it always got
safely away.

 

THE TERRIER AND THE DUCKLINGS.

A TERRIER, which lived at Dunrobin Castle many years ago,
had a family of puppies, which were taken from her and
drowned. How she mourned for her offspring, and wondered
why her owner had been so cruel as to allow them to be
carried away! Her motherly feelings were as strong as those
of other creatures, and she felt a longing to exercise them.
At length she caught sight of a brood of young ducklings.
They were young, and required care just like her own dear
little puppies; so, seizing them, she carried them off one by
one to her cot, and would allow no one to take them away.
They seemed to understand that they had obtained a very
good nurse, and she watched them with the most loving care.
When, however, they made their way to the water and
plunged in, she showed the greatest alarm, believing that
they would be drowned, as her own puppies had been. No
THE TERRIER AND THE DUCKLINGS. on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sooner had she reached the shore than she picked them up in
her mouth, and carried them off to her cot, resolving, probably,
never to allow them to run into the same danger again.
After the ducklings grew up, and were no longer willing
to submit to her style of nursing, she again became the
mother of another family. When these also were made away
with, she seized two cock chickens, which she reared with
 

28 AN EMINENT MEMBER OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

the same care that she had done the ducklings. When, how-
ever, the young cocks began to try their voices, their nurse
- was as much annoyed as she had been by the ducks going
into the water, and she always did her best to stop their
crowing.

You will never want objects on which to spend your
kind feelings. “The poor you have always with you.” You
must not be cast down or displeased if they persist in follow-
ing a different course from that which you think the best.
How often, when a baby, have you cried loudly when your
mother or your nurse wished you to be silent; and, as you
grew older, how often did you run into danger when they
called after you! Through life remember that terrier, and,
like her, always be kind to those in need.

 

AN EMINENT MEMBER OF THE
HUMANE SOCIETY.

ONCE there was a great storm, by which a ship was driven
on the shore. ‘The sailors could not get her off again, and it
was plain to all that she would soon be broken in pieces by
the waves. The sailors were in danger of being drowned.
The people on shore saw their danger; but they could not
do anything to help them, for no boat could get near the
wreck.

The sailors had a great Newfoundland dog with them in
the ship. They put a rope in the dog’s mouth, and told him
to carry it to the shore. The dog knew what they meant,
and jumped into the water. He had hard work to swim, for
 

AN EMINENT MEMBER OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY. 29

the sea was so rough that it often drove him back. But he
tried again and again, and at last he got very near to the
shore.

The people were very glad to see him. But that part of

the shore was very rocky, and the brave dog was unable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

climb up the rocks with the rope in his mouth. So he held
on by his fore paws and kept the rope fast till a boatman
leaned over the edge of a rock and took it from him. This
was just what the sailors had wished the dog to do. They
knew that the ‘people would make their end of the rope fast
on land; and the men in the ship tied the other end to the

 
 

30 TYROL, THE DOG WHICH RANG THE BELL.

mast. In this way a kind of bridge was made by which the
crew could reach the shore.

Very soon all the sailors were safe on land. They owed
their lives to the courage of this noble dog.

 

TYROL, THE DOG WHICH RANG THE
BELL.

A RELATIVE of mine, living in the Highlands, had a dog called
Tyrol. He had been taught to do all sorts of things. He
used to fetch his master’s slippers at bed-time; and when
told that fresh peat was required for the fire, away he would
go to the peat-basket and bring piece after piece, till enough
had been piled up.

He had also learned to pull the bell-rope to call the
servant. This he could easily do at his own home, where the
rope was long enough for him to reach it; but once he went
with his master on a visit to a friend’s house, where he was
desired to show his various tricks. When told to ring the
bell, he made several attempts in vain. The end of the
rope was too high up for him to reach. At length, what
was the surprise of all present to see him seize a chair
by the leg, and pull it up to the wall, when, jumping up,
he gave the rope a hearty tug, clearly very much to his
own content.

You will usually find that, difficult as a task may seem,
if you seek for the right means, you may perform it.
Drag the chair to the bell-rope which you cannot other-
wise reach.
 

DANDIE, THE MISER. 81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DANDIE, THE MISER.

Danpbigz, a Newfoundland dog belonging to Mr. M‘Intyre of
Edinburgh, stands without an equal for his cleverness and his
singular habits. Dandie would bring any article he was sent
for by his master, selecting it from a heap of others of the
same kind.

One evening, when a party was assembled, one of them
dropped a shilling. After a careful search, it could nowhere
be found. Mr. M‘Intyre then called to Dandie, who lay
quietly in a corner of the room, and said to him, “Find the
32 DANDIE, THE MISER.

shilling, Dandie, and you shall have a biscuit.” On this
Dandie rose, and placed the coin, which he had picked up un-
observed by those present, upon the table.

Dandie, who had many friends, used to receive a penny
from one of them every day, which he took to a baker’s shop
and got a roll for himself in exchange. It happened that
one of them was asked by Dandie for his usual present, when
he had no money in his pocket. “I have not a penny with
me to-day, but I have one at home,” said the gentleman,
scarcely believing that Dandie understood him. On returning
to his house, however, he found Dandie at the door, seeking
admittance, and evidently come for his penny. The gentle-
man, happening to have a bad penny, gave it him; but the
baker refused to give him a roll for it. Dandie, receiving it
back, returned to the door of the giver, and when a servant
had opened it, laid the false coin at her feet, and walked
away with an angry air.

Dandie, however, often received more money than he
needed for his wants, and took to storing it up. This was
known by his master, from his appearing one Sunday morning
with a roll in his mouth, when it was not likely he would
have received a present. Suspecting this, Mr. M'Intyre told
a servant to search his room—in which Dandie slept—for
money. The dog watched her, without seeming to do so, till
she came near his bed, when, seizing her gown, he drew her -
from it. On her persisting, he growled, and struggled so ’
violently that his master was obliged to hold him, when the_
woman discovered sevenpence-halfpenny. From that time
he showed a strong dislike to the woman, and’ used to hide
his money under a heap of dust at the back of the house.
STORY OF A NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 33

People thought Dandie a.very clever dog—as he was—but
there are many things far better than cleverness. It strikes
me that he was a very selfish fellow, and therefore, like selfish
boys and girls, unlovable. He was a shameless beggar too.
I'll say no more about him. Pray do not imitate Dandie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

STORY OF A NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.

ONcE a steamer stopped for a few minutes at a wharf ona
river. It was full of passengers. Among them was a nurse
with a child in her arms. As she stood leaning over the
vessel, the child sprang from her arms and fell into the river.

At once a cry was raised, and every one rushed to see what
3
 

34 THE DOG AND THE FOWLS.

was the matter. A gentleman who was sitting on the deck

reading a book rose quickly and went to the nurse. He
asked for some article the child had worn. She handed him
a tiny apron she had torn off in her attempt to save the child.

He took it to a splendid Newfoundland dog that was
eagerly watching his master’s face. The gentleman pointed

first to the apron, and then to the spot where the child had

gone under the water. In an instant the noble dog leaped
into the rushing stream.

By this time the people on board were very much excited.
Some persons on shore, who had seen the accident, got a boat
and rowed off to search for the child, though they hardly
expected to find it alive. Just at that moment the dog was
seen, far away, with something in his mouth. Bravely he
struggled with the waves, but it was seen that his strength
was failing fast.

The men in the boat pulled with all their might, and at
last reached the dog. The noble creature had found the
child, and was holding it fast by its clothes. The child was
still alive, and soon both dog and child were safe in the boat,
which was then rowed back to the steamer. The nurse
rushed forward. Giving a glance to make sure that the
child was really alive, she sank on her knees beside the dog,
threw her arms around his neck, and burst into tears.

 

 

THE DOG’ AND THE FOWLS.

A HOUSE-DOG, whose kennel was in a farm-yard, used to have
his mess of food brought to him daily in a tin can, and placed
THE DOG AND THE FOWLS. 35

before his house. No sooner had the cook disappeared than
the poultry were in the habit of gathering round the can and
gobbling up its contents. The dog—a good-natured animal
—hbore their thieving for some time very meekly; but at

 

length, as they carried off more than he thought fair, he warned
them away, by growling and showing his teeth. Nevertheless
they again returned to the can, when the dog, instead of seizing
some of his tormentors, lifted the can in his mouth and carried
36 BRONTE.

it into his kennel, where he finished his meal in peace, while
the cocks and hens stood watching outside, afraid to enter.

Depend on it, you will often find better means of escaping
from worries than that of punishing your tormentors. If you
cannot otherwise quiet them, remove the cause of dispute out
of sight.

 

BRONTE.

AN Edinburgh gentleman, now deceased, whose tenderness
towards the lower animals showed itself in many ways,
was in the habit, for many years, of going down to the
sea-coast to bathe. This he did early in the mornings,
accompanied by his faithful companion Bronté. They tra-
velled together by train to the Chain Pier at Trinity.

Once, when the master was away from home, Bronté,
unwilling to miss his bath, trotted off alone at the usual early
hour for the Waverley Station, took the train, and went off to
the beach in search of him.

The fact only became known when an account was pre-
sented from the railway company for Bronté’s travelling ex-
penses. He and his master were well known to the railway
people, and so Master Bronté, as it proved, regularly journeyed
for his morning bath in a first-class carriage.

 

A WISE ST. BERNARD.

In the district of Samland, near Kénigsberg, a dog has just
(August 1892) saved the lives of the two children of a landed
PUSSY AND THE CREAM-JUG. 37

proprietor. ‘T'wo youngsters—a boy of ten and a girl of
eleven years—were playing on the brink of a deep sheet of
water, and while trying to reach a piece of wood, overbalanced
themselves and fell in. The dog began to bark, but created
little attention. The animal then sprang into the stream and
swam to the children. Seizing the clothes of one with his
teeth, he brought it to shore, and plunging in again, succeeded
in bringing the other likewise. Then Jordan-—for so the dog
is called—ran to the manor-house and howled. Thinking
something was amiss, the dog was followed to the scene. The
children were on the shore seemingly without life. When
they came to themselves, the dog began to lick their faces and
hands, and pranced about with the utmost delight. Jordan
is to be rewarded with a brand-new collar, with the date of
the rescue engraved upon it, and will receive a life-long pension
from the family for his noble deed.

 

PUSSY AND THE CREAM-JUG.

I must now tell you of a cat which was a sad thief, and
showed a considerable amount of wisdom in obtaining what
she wanted. One day she found a cream-jug on the break-
fast-table full of cream. It was tall, and had a narrow mouth.
She longed for the nice rich contents, but could not reach the
cream even with her tongue; if she upset the jug, her theft
would be discovered. At last she thought to herself, “I may
put in my paw, though I cannot get in my head, and some of
that nice stuff will stick to it.”

She made the trial, and found it answer. Licking her

 
388 THE CAT AND THE KNOCKER.

paw as often as she drew it out, she soon emptied the jug, so
that when the family came down they had no cream for
breakfast. A few drops on the table-cloth, however, showed
how it had been stolen. Pussy, like human beings who act
dishonestly, was not quite so clever as she thought herself.

 

THE CAT AND THE KNOCKER.

WHEN you see Pussy seated by the fireside, blinking her eyes
and looking very wise, you may often ask, “I wonder what
she can be thinking about.” Just then, perhaps, she is
thinking about nothing at all; but if you were to turn her
out of doors into the cold, and shut the door in her face, she
would at once begin to think, “ How can I best get in again?”
And she would run round and round the house, trying to
find a door or a window open by which she might re-enter it.

IT once heard of a cat which showed a large amount of
THE CAT AND THE KNOCKER. 39

reason in such a case. I am not quite certain of this Pussy’s
name, but it may have been Deborah. The house where
Deborah was born and bred is in the country, and there is a
door with a small porch opening on a flower-garden. Very
often when this door was shut, Deborah, or little Deb, as she
may have been called, was left outside ; and on such occasions
she used to mew as loudly as she could to obtain admittance.
Sometimes she was not heard; but instead of running away,
and trying to find some other home, she used—wise little
creature that she was !—calmly to seat herself in a corner of
the window-sill, and wait till some person came to the house,
who, on knocking at the door, was at once admitted. Many
a day, no doubt, little Deb sat there on the window-sill and
watched this, gazing at the knocker, and wondering what it
had to do with getting the door open.

A month passed away, and little Deb grew from a kitten
into a full-sized cat. Many a weary hour was passed in her
corner. At length Deb came to see that if she could manage
to make the knocker sound a rap-a-tap-tap on the door, the
noise would call the servant, and she would gain entrance as.
well as the guests who came to the house.

One day Deb had been shut out, when Mary, the maid-
servant, who was sitting stitching away, heard a rap-a-tap at
the front door, making known the arrival, as she thought, of
a visitor. Putting down her work, she hurried to the door
and lifted the latch; but no one was there except Deb, who
at that moment leaped off the window-sill and entered the
house. Mary looked along the road, up and down on either
side, thinking that some person must have knocked and gone
away; but no one was in sight.
40 THE CAT AND THE KNOCKER.

The next day the same thing happened, but it occurred
several times before any one suspected that Deb could possibly
have lifted the knocker. At length Mary told her mistress
what she thought, and one of the family hid in the shrubbery

 

to watch Deb’s doings. Deb was allowed to run out into the
garden, and the door was closed. After a time the-clever
creature was seen to climb up on the window-sill, and then
to rear herself on her hind-feet, in a sloping position at the
full stretch of her body, when, steadying herself with one
 

THE CAT WHICH RANG THE BELL. 41

front paw, with the other she raised the knocker; and Mary,
who was on the watch, instantly ran to the door and let
her in.

Miss Deb’s knock now became as well known to the
servant as that of any other member of the family, and, no
doubt to her great content, it usually met with ready at-
tention.

Could the famous cat of the renowned Marquis of Carrabas
(see Puss in Boots) have done more or better? Deb must
have exercised reason and thought, as well as imitation and
perseverance. Very likely she made many vain attempts
before she was rewarded with success.

Some Scotch ladies told me of a cat they had when young,
which was brought by their grandfather from Archangel, and
which used to play the same trick. It used to reach up to
the latch of the front door of a house in the country, and to
rattle away on it till admitted. JI have seen a cat which
the same ladies now possess try the same thing.

Do you not think that you may take a useful lesson from
little Pussy, and when you have an object to gain, or a task
to perform, think over the matter, and try to find means of

doing it.

 

THE CAT WHICH RANG THE BELL.

I wave heard of a cat, who, had she lived in Lord —-—’s
house when it was attacked by robbers, might very speedily
have aroused the family.

This cat, however, lived in a nunnery in France. She
g, all the

had observed that when a certain bell was rung,
 

42 THE CAT WHICH RANG THE BELL.

inmates assembled for their meals, when she also recei\
food.

One day she was shut up in a room by herself, w]
heard the bell rine. In vain she attempted to get o
could not open the door, the window was too high to
At length, after being kept
some hours, the door was
Off she hurried to the place
she expected to find her. dim
none was there. She was ve
gry, and hunger is said to ;
the wits. She knew where t
hung which pulled the bell
belfry. “Now, when that be
I generally get my supper,” s
have thought, as she ran
the rope. It hung down ten
within her reach—a good thi
She sprang upon it. It gave
ant tinkle. She jerked haz
harder, and the bell rang lov
louder. “Now TI shall get
per, though I have lost my
she may have thought as sh

 

away.

The nuns, hearing the bell ring at so unusual :
came hurrying into the belfry, wondering what
matter, when what was their surprise to see the ca
bell-ringer! They puzzled their heads for some time
sister who generally gave the cat her meals remembe
THE CAT AND THE HAWK. 43

she had not been present at dinner-time; and thus the mystery
was explained, and Pussy was rewarded by having her supper
brought to her at once.

Instead of sitting down and crying when in a difficulty,
think, like sensible Pussy, of the best way to get out of it.
Instead of wringing your hands, RING THE BELL.

 

THE CAT AND THE HAWK.

Cats often show great courage, especially in defence of their
young.

A cat had led her kittens out into the sunshine, and
while they were frisking around her they were espied by a
hawk soaring overhead. Down pounced the bird of prey
and seized one in his talons. Hindered by the weight of the
fat little creature, he was unable to rise again before the
mother cat had seen what had happened. With a bound she
fiercely attacked the would-be thief, and compelled him to
drop her kitten in order to defend himself. A regular fight
now began, the hawk using beak and talons, and rising some-
times on his wings. It seemed likely that he would thus
gain the victory ; still more when he struck. his sharp beak
into one of Pussy’s eyes, while he tore her ears into shreds
with his talons. At length, however, she managed what had
been from the first her aim—to break one of her enemy’s
wings. She now sprang on him with renewed fury, and
seizing him by the neck, quickly tore off his head. This
done, heedless of her own pain, she began to lick the
bleeding wounds of her kitten, and then, calling to its
A4 THE CAT AND THE HAWK.

=

 

‘brothers and sisters, she carried it back to their secure
home.

You will find many hawks with which you must do
‘battle. The fiercest and most dangerous are those you meet
with every day—huge, dark-winged birds of prey—bad
temper, hatred, discontent ;—an ugly list, I will not.go on
with it. Fight against them as bravely as Pussy fought
‘with the hawk which tried to carry off her kitten.
THE BENEVOLENT CAT. 45

THE BENEVOLENT CAT.
Mrs. F

able to do acts of kindness.

 

gives me an anecdote to prove that cats are

A lady in the south of Ireland having lost a pet cat, and
searched for it in vain, after four days was delighted to hear
that it had returned. Hastening to welcome the truant with
a bowl of warm milk in the kitchen, she observed another
cat lurking timidly in a dark corner. The pet cat received
the caresses of its mistress with its usual pleasure, but, though
it circled round the bowl of milk with grateful purrings, it
declined to drink. It went up to the stranger instead, and,
with varied mewings, “like man’s own speech,” it invited it
to approach the tempting food. At length both came up to
the bowl, when the thirsty stranger feasted to its full content,
while the cat of the house stood by, in evident pleasure,
watching its guest; and-not until it would take no more
could the host be persuaded to wet its whiskers in the
tempting drink.

Ever think of others before yourself. Attend first to
their wants. Do not be outdone in true courtesy by a cat.

 

AFFECTION EXHIBITED BY A CAT.

I was one day calling in Dorsetshire on a clever, kind old
lady, who showed me a beautiful tabby cat coiled up before
. the fire. “Seventeen years ago,” said she, “ that cat’s mother
had a litter. They were all ordered to be drowned except

ae a t
46 AFFECTION EXHIBITED BY A CAT.

one. The servant brought me one. It was a tortoise-shell.
‘No, I said; ‘that will always be looking dirty. I will
choose another.” So I put my hand into the basket, and
drew forth this tabby; and the tabby has loved me ever since.

“When she came to have a family, she disappeared ; but
the rain did not, for it came pouring down through the
ceiling, and it was discovered that Dame Tabby had made a
hospital for herself in the thatched roof of the house. The
damage she did cost several pounds; so we asked a friend
who had a good cook, fond of cats, to take care of Tabby the
next time she‘ gave signs of having a family, as we knew
she would be well fed. We sent her in a basket completely
covered up; and she was shut into a room, which she soon
made lively with a number of young mewlings. More than
the usual number were allowed to live, and it was thought
that she would stay quietly where she was. Not so. On
the first chance she made her escape, and down she came all
the length of the village, and early in the morning I heard
her mewing at my bedroom door to be let in. When I had
stroked her back, and spoken kindly to her, off she went to
look after her nurslings. From that day, every morning she
came regularly to see me, and would not go away till she
had been spoken to and caressed. Having satisfied herself
that I was alive and well, back she would go. She never
failed to pay me that one visit in the morning, and never
came twice in the day, till she had weaned her kittens; and
that very day she came back, and nothing would induce her
to go away again. I had not the heart to foree her back.
From that day to this she has always slept at the door of
my room.”
THE DISHONEST CAT. AT

Surely you will not be less grateful to those who brought
you up than was my old friend’s cat to her. Acts, not
words, show the sincerity of our feelings.. Consider how
you are acting towards them each hour and day of your
life. Are you doing your best to act well, whether at
home, at school, or at play ?

 

THE DISHONEST CAT.

I am sorry to say that cats.are not always so lovable as _

those I have described, but will sometimes play all sorts of
tricks, like some dishonest boys and girls, to obtain what
they want.

An Angora cat, which lived in a large house in France,
had discovered that when a certain bell rang the cook always
left the kitchen. Numerous tid-bits were scattered about,
some on the tables and dressers, others before the fire.
Pussy crept towards them, and tasted them; they exactly
suited her. When she heard the cook’s step returning, off
she ran to a corner, and pretended to be sleeping soundly.
How she longed that the bell would ring again !

At last, like another cat I have spoken of, she thought
that she would try to ring it herself, and get cook out of the
way; she could resist her longing for those sweet creams
no longer. Off she crept, jumped up at the bell-rope, and
sounded the bell. Away hurried cook to answer it. The
coast was now clear, and Pussy feasted on the nice things
left unguarded—being out of the kitchen, or seemingly asleep
in her corner, before cook returned.
48 THE DISHONEST CAT.

This trick continued to answer Pussy’s object for some
time, the cook wondering what had become of her tarts and
‘ereams, till a watch was set to discover the thief, when the
dishonest though clever cat was seen to pull the bell, and
then, when cook went out, to steal into the kitchen and feast
at her leisure.

 

 

 

 

which is a bad one, because the

 

There is a proverb

motive is wrong—that “honesty is the best policy.” Rather
say, “ Be honest because it is right.” Pussy, with her cunning
ways of stealing the creams, thought herself very clever, but
she was found out.

Sige
THE CAT AND THE FROG. 49

THE CAT AND THE FROG.

THE servants of a country house—and I am sure that they
were kind people—had enticed a frog from its hole by giving
it food. As winter drew on, Frogey every evening made its
way to the kitchen
hearth before a
blazing fire, which
it found much more
comfortable than
its own dark abode
out in the yard.
Another occupant
of the hearth was
a favourite old cat,
which at first, I
daresay, looked
down on the odd
little creature with
some scorn, but was
too well bred to

 

disturb an invited
guest. At length, however, the two agreed to become friends ;
the kind heart of Pussy warming towards poor chilly little
Froggy, whom she now invited to come and nestle under her
cozy fur. From that time forward, as soon as Froggy came
out of its hole, it hopped fearlessly towards the old cat, who
made herself its defender, and would allow no one to disturb it.

Tmitate the kind cat, and be kind to the most humble.
a 4
50 THE CAT AND. THE PRISONER,

THE CAT AND THE PRISONER.

WHILE speaking of the affection of cats, I must not forget to
mention a notable example of it shown by the favourite cat
of a young nobleman in the days of Queen Elizabeth.

For some offence he had been shut up in prison, and had
long pined in solitude, when he was startled by hearing a
slight noise in the chimney. On looking up, great was his
surprise and delight to see his favourite cat bound over the
hearth towards him, purring joyfully at the meeting. She
had probably been shut up for some time before she had made
her escape; and then she must have sought her master, crossing
miles of steep and slippery roofs, along dangerous walls, and
through forests of chimney-stacks, urged on by the strength
of her love, and guided by a secret instinct, till she discovered
the chimney which led into his cell.

Certainly it was not by chance she made the discovery,
nor was it exactly reason that led her to the spot. By what-
ever means she found it, we must regard the loving little
creature as the very “ Blondel* of cats.”

Never spare trouble to serve a friend, or to please those
you are bound to please. Remember the prisoner’s cat.

 

THE CAT THAT DIED OF GRIEF.
A LADY in France had a cat which showed oreat affection for
her. She went with her everywhere, and when the lady sat

* Blondel.—The minstrel who is said to have found out where Richard the
Lion Heart was imprisoned.
THE CAT THAT DIED OF GRIEF. 51

down the cat always lay at her feet. From no other hands
than those of her mistress would she take food, nor would
she allow any one else to fondle her.

The lady kept a number of tame birds; but the cat,

 

 

 

 

 

 

though she would willingly have caught and eaten strange
birds, never hurt one of them.

At last the lady fell ill, and nothing could induce the
eat to leave her chamber. On her death, the attendants had
to carry away the poor animal by force. The next morning,

however, she was found in the room of death, creeping
52 THE CAT AND THE CANARY.

slowly about, and mewing piteously. After the funeral, the
faithful cat made her escape from the house, and was at
length found stretched out lifeless above the grave of her
mistress, having died of a broken heart.

 

The instances I have given—and I might give many
more—prove the strong affection which cats are able to feel,
and show that they are well deserving of kind treatment.
When we see them catch birds and mice, we must remember
that it is their nature to do so, as in their wild state they

have no other means of getting food.

 

THE CAT AND THE CANARY.

Animas of different kinds often form curious friendships.
What do you think of the cat which of her own accord be-
came the protector of a pet canary, instead of eating it up ?

The cat and the bird belonged. to the mother-in-law of
Mrs. Lee, who has given us many delightful stories of ani-
mals. The canary was allowed to fly about the room when
the cat was shut out; but one day their mistress, lifting her
head from her work, saw that the cat had by some means
got in, and, to her surprise, there was the canary perched
fearlessly on the back of Pussy, who seemed highly pleased
with the trust placed in her. By the silent language with
which animals convey their ideas to each other, she had been
able to make the canary understand that she would nos
hurt it. ;

After this, the two were allowed to be constantly to-
gether, to the great pleasure of both. One morning, how-
THE CAT AND THE PIGEON. 53

ever, as they were in the bedroom of their mistress, what
was her alarm to see the trusty cat, as she had supposed her,
after uttering a growl, seize the canary in her mouth, and
leap with her into the bed. There she stood, her tail stiff-
ened out, her hair bristling, and her eyes glaring fiercely.
The fate of the poor canary seemed to be sealed; but just
then the lady caught sight of a strange cat creeping stealth-
ily through the open doorway. The intruder was quickly
driven away, when faithful Puss placed her feathered friend
on the bed, in no way injured. She had thus seized it only
to save it from the fangs of the stranger.

Trust begets trust; but be very sure that the person
on whom you bestow yours is worthy of it. If not, you
will not be so fortunate as the canary was with its friend

the cat.

Your truest friends, in most cases, are your own parents.

 

THE CAT AND THE PIGEON.

SIMILAR affection for one of the feathered race was shown by
a cat which was rearing several kittens.

In another part of the same loft a pigeon had built her
nest; but her eggs and young having been so often destroyed
by rats, it seemed to occur to her that she would be in safer
quarters near the cat. Pussy, pleased with the trust placed
in her, invited the pigeon to remain near her, and a strong
friendship grew up between the two. They fed out of the
same dish; and when Pussy was absent, the pigeon, in re-
turn for the protection afforded her against the rats, made

 
54 THE CAT AND THE PIGEON.

herself the defender of the kittens, and on any person
coming nearer than she liked, she would fly out and attack
them with beak and wings, in the hope of driving them
away from her young charges, Often, too, after this, when

 

 

neither the kittens ncr her own brood needed her care, and
| the cat went out about the garden or the fields, the pigeon
might be seen fluttering close by her, for the sake of her

 

society.
Help and protect one another in all right things, as did
THE CAT AND THE PUPPIES. 55

the cat and the pigeon, whatever your ages or stations in life.

The big boy or girl may be able to assist and protect the —

little ones, and these may render many a service in return.

 

THE CAT AND THE PUPPIES.

I HAVE a longer story than the last to tell, of a cat which
undertook the nursing of some puppies while she already
had kittens of her own. It happened that her mistress had
a valuable little black spaniel, which had a litter of five
puppies. As these were too many for the spaniel to bring
up, and the mistress was anxious to keep them all in life, it
was proposed that they should be brought up by hand. The
cook, to whom the offer was made, hinted that this would
be a difficult thing to do; but as the cat had lately kittened,
she proposed that some of the puppies might be given to her
to bring up. Two of the kittens were therefore taken away,
and the same number of puppies was put in their place.
What Puss thought of the matter has not been made known,
or whether even she discovered the trick that had been
played her; but she instantly began to bestow the same
care on the little puppies that she had done on her own
offspring, and in a fortnight they were as forward and play-
ful. as kittens would have been, skipping about, and bark-
ing lustily, while the three puppies nursed by their own
mother were whining and rolling about in the most help-
less way.

Puss had proved a better nurse than the little spaniel.
She gave them her tail to play with, and kept them always

 

a i Shh AK
56 THE CAT AND THE PUPPIES.

in motion and amused, so that they ate well, and were strong
enough to be removed and to take care of themselves long
before their brothers and sisters.

On their being taken away from her their poor nurse
showed her sorrow, and went prowling about the house,
looking for them in every place. At length she caught sight
of the spaniel and the three remaining puppies. Instantly
up went her back; her bristles stood erect, and her eyes
glared fiercely at the little dog, which she supposed had
carried off her young charges.

“Ho, ho! ‘you vile thief, who have ventured to rob me of
my young ones; I have found you at last!” she said—at
least, she thought as much, if she did not say it. The spaniel
barked angrily, answering, “They are my own puppies; you
know they are as unlike as possible to your little, tire-
some, frisky mewlings.”—“TI tell you I know them to be
mine,” cried Puss, spitting and hissing; “I mean to re-
cover my own.” And before the spaniel knew what was
going to happen, Puss sprang forward, seized one of the
puppies, and carried it off to her own bed in another part
of the house.

Not content with this success, as soon as she had safely
placed the puppy in her home, she returned to the abode of
the spaniel. This time she simply dashed forward, as if she
had made up her mind what to do, knocked over the spaniel
with her paw, seized another puppy in her mouth, and carry-
ing it off, placed it alongside the first she had captured. She
was now content. Two puppies she had lost, two she had
got. Whether or not she thought them the same which had
been taken from her, it is not easy to say. At all events,
THE CAT AND THE PUPPIES. 57

she nursed the two latter with the same tender care as
the first.

Copy playful pussy, when you have charge of little chil-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dren, They enjoy games and romps as much as young
puppies do, and will be far happier, and thrive better, than
when forced to loll about by themselves.

Seger
58 OUR PUSS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR PUSS.

IF you saw her you would likely
say she was much the same as
many others of her kind; and no doubt, so far as appear-
ance goes, you would be correct, for our Puss just looks like
any ordinary respectable tabby. But if you knew her as we
do, you would as readily admit that she is one among a
thousand, and well deserves to have her “points” brought

————r

 
OUR PUSS. 59

forward, and the special traits in her character duly chron-
icled.

Strange to say, then, that although our story is one of
remarkable attachment (I had almost said affection) shown
by her, she did not enter our domicile a kitten, but a full-
grown cat. It happened in this way. Our house had got
overrun with mice, and it became an urgent necessity for our
comfort and their discomfiture that a cat should appear on
the scene. The milkmaid came to the rescue, and brought us
Puss on loan. She made short but effective work among our
tormentors, for in less than a week not one dared show its
little nose, although before Puss arrived they would scamper
over the room and nibble about the fire-place with the most
perfect assurance. Our purpose accomplished, we sent Puss
back to her old home at the dairy, but before the messenger
returned Puss was at our door again waiting to be re-ad-
mitted. Time after time was she taken to her former home,
but it was of no use. She would stay with us—and stay
she did.

Years passed on, and in their course little ones came,
who scampered about the room much as the mice had done.
But Puss was always gentle with these little strangers, and
although their tiny fingers oftentimes pulled her sadly about,
scarcely would she raise a paw in self-defence. Her uniform
gentleness in the long run led them to give up teasing her ;
and, as they gained sense, they were fain to return her kind-
ness, and all lived together on the most happy terms. Her
first visit every morning was to the children’s room. She
would sit patiently while they were being dressed, follow
them downstairs, and afterwards attend closely during break-

 
60 OUR PUSS.

fast, well knowing that each of her three little friends would
share something with her. A remarkable fact was the par-
tiality she constantly showed for one sturdy little fellow—
the eldest of the three—whom she would follow over the
house like a litéle dog. She would sit on his chair during
meals, and while he was at play in the bright sunshine, would
take up her position on the window-sill, singing thrums while
watching with apparent interest her little favourite’s merry
gambols. The singular circumstance in Puss’s special attach-
ment to this chubby-cheeked little rogue was the undoubted
fact that, in his earlier days, he was by far her greatest tor-
mentor.

But to our tale. One holiday season, a long railway and
sea passage before we could reach our destination, made it
impracticable for Puss to accompany us. A kind neighbour,
however, undertook to see her well provided for during our
absence. Accordingly, before shutting up the house, we took
care to see Puss placed in her temporary home, which hap-
pened to be the adjoining house. Train and steamer did
their usual work; and, in a comparatively short time, we
were several hundred miles removed from our own home.
In the excitement of the journey, the thorough change of
scene, and the hearty meeting with loved friends at our
journey’s end, time went so pleasantly that, to tell the truth,
we had no great thought of Puss, but believed she would be
comfortable and well-conducted, as she usually contrived to
be. Our house was shut up for two months in all, but at
the end of a fortnight I made a temporary return visit, when
the following facts regarding Puss were communicated by
the neighbour who had kindly promised to take care of her.
OUR PUSS. 61

For nearly the whole of the first week after our departure
Puss kept up a most pitiful wail. Indeed, it was described
as really painful to hear. During that time she never left
the immediate surroundings of the house, but would rush
from back to front, peering in at the windows, evidently still
in the hope that some of her friends were within, and would
give heed to her lament. We had formerly lived at the op-
posite side of the street, and one day it seemed suddenly to
enter Puss’s head that we might have gone back there, for
she crossed the road and deliberately looked in at all the
windows, at top and bottom of the house; but seeing nothing
of us, she returned to the back-green of her own home, and,
from that time, hope seemed to die within her. Hitherto
she had received daily from our neighbour a little food, some-
times at the window; but now she made a bed for herself
under a garden seat, which neither hunger nor cold would
tempt her to leave. Reader, you may believe it or not, but
my friend, who closely watched her movements, gave it, as
his honest opinion, that she had lain down to die; yes, to die
of a broken heart—a malady which but seldom has a fatal
result in the human family, and is considered an honour to
our nature when it does occur. What shall we say, then, to
this display of feline nature? Simply that the story is a
true one, and let the facts speak for themselves.

But Puss was not permitted to perish. Its evident and
wonderful devotion to the absent ones found for it a good
friend in our worthy neighbour, who, seeing it made no sign
of leaving its self-chosen place of shelter, although well-nigh
famished with hunger, climbed over the wall to where she
lay, and, placing a bowl of milk by her side, by dint of
 

 

 

 

 

62 THE CAT AND THE BURGLARS.

kindly patting, induced her to take a little. This was re-
peated daily until my return, Puss never having been seen
to leave her bed. As soon as she heard my voice she came
into the house of her own accord, although scarcely able to
walk across the green. Her purring and rubbing of welcome
were most affecting and affectionate. From that day forward
she revived, although it was not until her little friends re-
turned that she seemed really like herself. Since then she
has-been well and lively, and apparently as happy as she has
any wish to be. Long life to her!

From our story it will be plainly seen that “even a cat”
is capable of no small amount of affection, and we trust that
our little readers will bear this well in mind. Let them culti-
vate a kindly feeling towards all dumb animals, and especially
for such a useful domestic pet as the cat undoubtedly is!
There are few sights more interesting and pleasing than that
of a child at play with his favourite animal, be it dog, rabbit,
or cat; and where mutual kindness obtains, as in the case
of “our Puss,” the influence for good, and the benefit in after-
life, which the fostering of such simple kindly feeling is cal-
culated to produce, cannot easily be over-estimated.

 

THE CAT AND THE BURGLARS.

No stronger evidence of the wisdom of the cat is to be found

 

 

than an instance told to me by my friend, Mrs. F , and
for the truth of which I can answer.

A lady, Miss P , who was a governess in her family,
had formerly held the same post in that of Lord , in

 
 

 

THE CAT AND THE BURGLARS. 63

Treland. While there, a cat became very strongly attached
to her. Though allowed to enter the school-room and dining-
room, where she was fed and petted, the animal never. came
into the lady’s bedroom, nor was she, indeed, in the habit
of going into that part of the house at any time.

One night, however, after retiring to rest, Miss P

 

was disturbed by the gentle but continual mewing of the
cat at her bedroom door. At first she was not inclined to
give heed to the cat’s behaviour, but the constancy of the
animal, and the uncommon tones of her voice, at length in-
duced her to open the door. The cat, on this, bounded for-
ward, and circled round her rapidly, looking up in her face,
mewing earnestly. Miss P———, thinking that the cat had
only taken a fancy to pay her a visit, refastened the door,
intending to let her remain in the room; but this did not
appear to please Pussy at all. She sprang back to the door,
mewing more loudly than before; then she came again to
the lady, and then went to the door, as if asking her to
follow.

“What is it you want?” exclaimed Miss P——. “ Well,
go away, if you do not wish to stay!” and she opened the
door ; but the cat, instead of going, again began running to
and fro between the door and her friend, continuing to mew
as she looked up into her face.

Miss P.
noise, as if coming from the outside of one of the windows

 

’s attention was now attracted by a strange

on the ground-floor. A few moments more convinced her

that some persons were trying to break into the house.
Instantly throwing a shawl around her, she hurried along

the passage, the cat gliding by her side, purring now with

 
64 THE WISE HARE AND HER PURSUERS.

‘evident joy, to Lord gs bedroom door, where her knock

 

was quickly answered, and an explanation given.

The household was soon aroused; bells were rung, lights
flitted about, servants hurried here and there; and _per-
sons watching from the windows distinctly saw several men
making off with all speed, and climbing over a wall
close by.

It was without doubt owing to the wisdom of the cat
that the house was saved from midnight robbery, and the
inmates probably from some fearful outrage. She must
have reasoned that the men trying to enter had no busi-
ness there; whilst her reason and love led her to warn her
best friend of the danger. She may have feared, also, that
any one else in the house would have driven her heed-
lessly away. |

Let us, then, learn always to treat dumb animals with
kindness and thoughtfulness, since they are so often given
to us as friends for our good. Like the cat, you may by
being watchful be of great service to others more powerful
than yourself. For the same reason, never despise the good-
will or warnings of even the most humble.

 

THE WISE HARE AND HER PURSUERS.

I wit now tell you a story of a very different animal—the
timid little hare—which has to depend for safety on its
speed and cunning.

A poor little hare was one day closely pursued by a brace
of greyhounds, when, seeing a gate near, she ran for it. The
 

‘THE WISE HARE AND HER PURSUERS. 65.

bars were too close to allow the hounds to get through, so -
they had to leap over the gate. As they did so, the hare,
seeing that they would be upon her the next instant, turned
round, and again ran under the gate, where she had just before:
passed. The force of the hounds had sent them a good dis-
tance, and they had now to wheel about and leap once more:
over the upper bar of the gate. Again the hare doubled, and

 

returned by the way she had come; and thus, going back-
wards and forwards, the dogs followed till they were fairly
tired out, when the little hare, watching her chance, happily
made her escape.

You may learn a lesson even from this little hare—never:
to yield to obstacles. Persevere, and you will get over them.
at last.
‘66 THE TWO GOATS.

THE TWO GOATS.

On a wild mountain, two goats met on a ledge just over a
high cliff’ The ledge was so narrow that there was neither
room for them to pass each other nor to turn round and go
back. A steep rock rose straight above them; a deep dark

 

 

 

 

 

 

chasm lay below! What do you think the two goats did?
One of them with great care laid himself down on the narrow
ledge, pressing as close to the rock as he could. Then the
other goat gently and softly stepped over his friend, till,
safely past him, he could lightly bound away. The goat
that had lain down then drew himself up from his lowly
place, safe and sound, free to spring again from rock to rock,
and eat the sweet grass on the hills.

 
THE KIND OX AND THE SHEEP. 67

THE KIND OX AND THE SHEEP.

I wave to tell you of an instance of the kind office of an ox.

. Oxen may possess many virtues, but are not in the habit of

making a parade of them. Sheep are sometimes seized with
fits, when they. fall on their back, and are unable of themselves
to regain their legs. While in this helpless position, they
are sometimes attacked by birds of prey, which tear out their
eyes, and otherwise injure them.

An unlucky sheep had fallen in the way I have described,
and was in vain trying to struggle to its feet, when an ox,
grazing near, observed what had happened. Going up to it,
it carefully turned the animal over on its side; and when it
had regained its feet, walked away, and went on feeding
as before, satisfied that it had done what was wanted.

My young friends, try to help those in distress, though
there may be as much difference between you and them as
between that ox and the sheep.

 

A COW SEEKING HER CALF.

Cows have as much love for their young as have other
animals, and it is piteous to hear them “mooing” when
deprived of their calves.

A cow had her calf taken from her, and left at Bushy
Park, while she was driven off to Smithfield to be sold. The
following morning, when it was supposed the cow was in

London, she appeared at the gate of the yard in which her
 

 

1
|

68 THE COW AND HER TORMENTOR.

calf was confined. Swayed by her love for her offspring,

she had broken out of the pen, passed through all the streets
of the suburbs without being stopped by the police, who
naturally supposed, from her quiet manner, that the drover
must be at her heels; and once in the country, had quickly
tramped the twelve miles that took her to her former home.
It is probable that she took the same road to Bushy which
she had followed when being driven from that place to
Smithfield.

In Africa, the Hottentot shepherds employ a species of
cow to guard their flocks of sheep. They keep the animals
together with all the wisdom of Scotch sheep-dogs, and will
attack with the utmost bravery any enemy trying to injure
them.

What obstacles does true love overcome! If that poor
dull cow could feel such love for her offspring as to overcome
the usual want of feeling of her kind, what must be the
feelings of a human mother towards her children! Can you,
then, ever carelessly wound yours by your misconduct ?

 

THE COW AND HER TORMENTOR.

In my younger days, I had a friend who used to catch our
tutor’s cow by the tail, and make her drag him at full speed
round and round the field. One day, when he was quietly
walking along the path to church, the cow espied him, and
making chase, very nearly caught him with her horns as he
leaped over the nearest gate.

I will tell you of another cow, which was often tormented
 

THE AFFECTIONATE BUFFALO-BULL. 69

by a boy amusing himself with throwing stones at her. She
had borne his mischief for some time, when at length, making
after him, she hooked the end of her horns into. his clothes,

 

lifted him from the ground, carried him out of the field, and
laid him down in the road. Satisfied with the fright she had
given him, she then returned calmly to her pasture.

 

THE AFFECTIONATE BUFFALO-BULL.

THE cow-buffaloes are frequently attracted by a trick of the
Indians, which they call “making a calf.” One of the party
covers himself with a buffalo-skin, and another with the skin
_of a wolf. They then creep on all-fours within sight of the
70 THE BRAVE BULL AND THE WISE PIG.

buffaloes, when the pretended wolf jumps on the back of the
pretended calf, which bellows like the real one when crying
for help.

A white man and an Indian were hunting together. At
length a solitary bull and cow were seen in the distance.
After the Indian personating the calf had bellowed a short
time, the cow ran forward, and attempted to spring towards
the hunters; but the bull, seeming to understand the trick,
tried to stop her by running between inem. The cow now
dodged and got round him, and ran within ten or fifteen
yards of them, with the bull close at her heels, when both
men fired, and brought her down. ‘The bull instantly stopped
short, and bending over her, tried to help her up with his
nose, showing the most persevering affection for her; nor
could they get rid of him, so as to cut up the cow, without
shooting him also—a cruel reward to the noble animal for
his affection.

This account, which is mentioned by Mr. Kane the artist,
shows that these animals are capable of great affection for
each other, though in general they leave their wounded
comrades to shift for themselves.

 

THE BRAVE BULL AND THE
WISE PIG.

A Pic had been stolen by two men, who were driving it at
night along a lonely path near Rotherham. As the pig
squeaked loudly, they feared they might be betrayed, and
were about to kill it. The pig, however, struggled violently,
THE BRAVE BULL AND THE WISE PIG. 71

and had already received a wound, when it managed to escape
into a neighbouring field, squeaking still louder, and with the
blood flowing from its wound. The robbers, pursuing the
pig, found themselves face to face with a large bull, which
had been till now grazing quietly. Apparently understand-

 

ing the state of affairs, and taking pity on the pig, he ran
fiercely at the men, forcing them to fly for their lives. It
was only, indeed, by leaping over a hedge that they escaped
an ugly toss from the horns of the animal.

In vain did they wait, in the hope of recovering the pig.
Piggy, having found a powerful friend, was too wise to leave
‘72 THE PONY WHICH SAVED A LITTLE GIRL’S LIFE.

him, and kept close to his heels, till the crowing of the cocks
in the neighbouring farms warned the robbers to make their
‘escape.

 

THE PONY WHICH SAVED A LITTLE
GIRLS LIFE.

A SMALL pony, belonging to a gentleman in Warwickshire,
was fed in a park through which a canal passes. It was a
great favourite, having been long kept in the family, and
was ridden by the children.

A little girl—the daughter of the owner of the property
—had run out by herself into the park, and made her way
to the banks of the canal. As she was playing near the
water, she fell in. Her cries were heard by the pony, which,
galloping forward, plunged into the water, and lifting her in
his mouth, brought her safely to the shore.

However weak or apparently unequal your means, you
may often, if you employ them to the best of your power,
render good service to your fellow-creatures.

 

THE WISE HORSE AND THE PUMP.

A HORSE was shut up in a small enclosure near Leeds, in a
corner of which stood a pump with a tub beneath it. The
groom, however, often forgot to fill the tub, and then the
horse had no water to drink. The animal had observed the
way in which water was got, and one night, when the tub
was empty, he was seen to take the pump handle in his
JACK AND HIS DRIVER. 73

mouth, and work it with his head till he had got as much
water as he required.

What a wise horse he was! How much wiser than some
boys and girls, who, when there is no water in their jugs, or
their shoes are not cleaned, dress without washing rather
than take the trouble of getting it for themselves, or wear
dirty shoes rather than take them down to be cleaned, or
clean them for themselves.

Hl

i
| /

 

My young friends, remember through life that sensible
horse.. Take the pump by the handle, and work away with
it till you have brought up the water.

 

JACK AND HIS DRIVER.

Mr. SMILES, in his Life of Rennie, tells us of a horse called
Jack, who showed himself to be fully as sensible as the two
animals just mentioned.

 
74 THE OLD CHARGER.

Jack’s business was to draw the trucks of stones along
the tramway during the erection of Waterloo Bridge. Near
at hand was a beershop, frequented by the labourers and
carters. Jack’s driver, named Tom, was: an honest fellow,
and very kind to Jack, but too fond of spending more time
than he ought to have done in the beershop. Jack, though ~
a restless animal, got used to Tom’s habits, and waited
patiently till an overseer started him on his work again. On
one occasion, however, the overseer being absent, Tom took
so long a spell at the ale that Jack became restless. The
trace fastenings being long enough, the animal put his head
inside the beerhouse door, and seizing the astonished Tom by
the collar with his teeth, dragged him out to his duty at the
truck. Great thereafter became the fame of Jack amongst
the host of labourers.

Like famous Jack, do not be afraid to remind a friend of
his duty, even though you have to seize him by the collar
and drag him away to perform it.

 

THE OLD CHARGER.

THE horse has been often known to remember his rider after
a long absence. He is also a friendly animal, and once used
to others of his kind, rarely forgets them. At the trumpet’s
sound, the old war-horse pricks up his ears, snorts, and paws
the ground, eager to join his ancient comrades.

A hundred years ago the assistant to a surveyor was em-
ployed to ride along a certain line of turnpike road, to see
that the contractors were doing their work properly. He
THE OLD CHARGER. 75

was mounted on a horse which had belonged to a field-officer,
and, though aged, still possessed much spirit. It happened
that a troop of yeomanry were out exercising on a neigh-
bouring common. No sooner did the old horse see the line
of warriors, and hear the bugle-call, than, greatly to the
dismay of his rider, he leaped the fence and was speedily at

 

his post in front of the regiment, nor could his rider induce
him by any means to quit the ground till the regiment left
it. As long as they kept the field, the horse remained in
front of the troop; and then insisted on marching at their

head into the town, prancing as well as his old legs would
76 THE SOLDIER'S NOBLE STEED.

allow him, to the great amusement of the volunteers, and the
no small. trouble of the clerk, who had thus been forced to
assume a post he would gladly have escaped from.

Old habits cling to us as stubbornly as did those of that
ancient war-steed ; and often, when we flatter ourselves that
they have been overcome, temptation appears, and we yield
to them as of yore. Do you, my young friends, take heed to
adopt only good habits, and stick to them.

 

THE SOLDIERS NOBLE STEED.

Tue horse loves his master, and soon learns to know him. A
story is told of a soldier who had a favourite horse, that
never seemed so happy as when his master was on his back.
At last, in a fierce battle, the soldier was killed, and fell from
his horse. When his body was found some days afterwards,
the faithful animal was still standing beside it! During that
long time, the horse had never left the body of his master.
' Without food or water, he had stood over it, driving away
the birds of prey. Was he not a noble animal ?

Here is another story about a soldier and his horse. Once
a poor soldier was passing along a street in London. Suddenly
he stopped, and looked for some time at a horse on the other

1?

side of the street. “I know him! I know him!” cried he,
as he ran across the street. “He is my own old horse.
Dear old fellow!” The horse seemed to know the voice.
He laid back his ears, and rubbed his nose against the hand
that stroked him so kindly.

After a few moments, the poor soldier put his hand in
THE SOLDIER'S NOBLE STEED. 77

his pocket; and as he did so he said, “ Yes, he shall have it,.
‘though it were my last penny! I have enough to buy him
a feed of corn.” Away he went to bring it; and in a few
minutes he came back with the corn, and stood kindly feed-
ing the horse with his own hand.

After staying beside him for some time, he asked the
driver where his stable was, that he might go and see him

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

some other day. He then went his way, saying to the
driver as he left, “Be good to him, poor fellow! and use him
well.”

It was a beautiful sight; and it was no wonder that.
some little boys who stood near eried out, Hurrah! when
they saw the poor soldier’s kindness to his old friend.

Seger
 

78 THE FAITHFUL HORSE AND HIS RIDER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FAITHFUL HORSE AND HIS
RIDER.

Horses have been known to fight for their friends—for dogs
as well as for men.

A farmer near Edinburgh had a hunter which had carried
him safely for many a day over moorland heath as well as
along beaten roads. He was one day returning from the city,
when, feeling very drowsy, he slipped from his saddle to the
THE FAITHFUL HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 79

ground without being awakened, and letting go the bridle as
he fell. His faithful horse, which had the character of being
vicious, instead of galloping home, as might have been ex-
pected, stood by his fallen master, keeping as strict a watch
over him as a dog could have done.

Some labourers, coming by at daybreak, saw the farmer
still sleeping near a heap of stones by the roadside. Intend-
ing to assist him, they drew near, but the horse, by his
grinning teeth and ready heels, showed them that it would
be wiser to keep at a distance. He did not, probably, under-
stand their kind purpose; but not till they had aroused the
farmer, who at length got on his feet, would his faithful horse
allow them to pass.

Mrs. F—

Trish horse, which, in a similar case, used to defend his master.

 

mentions another instance of a high-spirited

This man, often coming home at night tipsy, would fall
to the ground in a helpless state. Had the horse, while the
man was in this condition, forsaken him, he would have been
run over by any vehicle passing along the road; but the
faithful horse was his careful guardian. If nobody came
near, the animal would stand patiently beside his master till
he came to himself. He has been known to stand at his
post during a whole night. If any one came near, he would
gallop round him, kicking out his heels; or rearing and biting,
if an attempt were made to touch him. Thus the man and
the animal changed places, the knowing brute protecting
both himself and his master.

I have a word to say even on this subject. Beware lest
you take the first step which may lead you to become like
 

80 TWO WISE CART-HORSES.

the man I have described. You cannot expect, like him, to
have a wise horse to watch over you. Yet, at the same time,
do not be less faithful to an erring friend than were those
noble steeds to their owners; watch over and protect him to
the utmost. Learn to be kind to the thankful and to the

unthankful.

 

TWO WISE CART-HORSES.

Cart-HorsEs, though heavy-looking animals, are often wiser

i
i

than their more graceful relatives.
A cart-horse had been driven from a farm-yard to the
THE IRISH HORSE AND THE CHILD. 81

brook close by early one morning during winter to drink.
The water was frozen, and the horse stamped away with his
fore-feet, but was unable to break the ice. He waited quietly
till his neighbour came down, and then the two, standing side
by side, and striking with their hoofs together, broke through
the ice, and were thus enabled to reach the water.

What one person alone cannot do, two may do working
heartily together. We shall find no lack of thick ice to break
through. The thickest, perhaps, is the icy deadness of cold,
stubborn hearts to what is right and good. Let us beware
that our hearts do not freeze, and let us take care to keep
them warm by exercising them in services of love and kind-
ness.

 

THE IRISH HORSE AND THE CHILD.

Mrs. F
horses. Some horses in the county of Limerick, which were

 

mentions a striking instance of the wisdom of

feeding in a field, broke bounds like a band of unruly school-
boys, and scrambling through a gap which they had made in
a fence, found themselves in a narrow lane. Along the quiet
by-road they galloped helter-skelter, at full speed, snorting
and tossing their manes in the full enjoyment of their freedom,
but greatly to the terror of a party of children who were
playing in the lane. As the horses were seen tearing wildly
along, the children scrambled up the bank into the hedge,
and buried themselves in the bushes, regardless of thorns—
with the exception of one poor little thing, who, too small to
run, fell down on its face, and lay crying loudly in the middle
of the narrow way.

 
82 THE HUMANE CART-HORSE AND THE CHILD.

On swept the horses, but when the leader of the troop
saw the little child lying in his path he suddenly stopped,
and so did the others behind him. Then stooping his head,
he seized the infant’s clothes with his teeth, and carefully
lifted it to the side of the road, laying it gently and quite
unhurt on the grass.) He and his companions then resumed
their gallop in the lane, without knowing that they had done
a kindly and wonderful act.

Learn a lesson from those wild Irish horses. As you
hurry along in the joyousness of youth, look before you to
see whether there lies not on your road some one who needs
your help. Believe me, in your path through life you will
find many poor little ones who require to be lifted up
and placed in safety. Do not be less obedient to the hints
of duty than were those dumb animals to the reason or the
instinct in their breasts.

 

THE HUMANE CART-HORSE AND THE
CHILD.

A CARTER in Strathmiglo, Fifeshire, had an old horse, which
was as friendly with his family as a dog could have been.
He used to play with the children, and when they were
running about between his legs he would never move, for fear
of doing them an injury.

Once, when dragging a loaded cart through a narrow lane
near the village, a young child, not one of his owner's family,
happened to be playing on the road, and thoughtlessly ran right
before him, when, had it not been for his care, it must have
THE HUMANE CART-HORSE AND THE CHILD. 83

been crushed by the wheels. On seeing what had happened, the
good old horse took the child up by its clothes with his teeth,
carried it a few yards, and then placed it by the wayside—
moving slowly all the while, and looking back now and again,
as if to make sure that the cart-wheels had passed clear of it.

 

In all his duties he was equally steady and careful, and
could be perfectly trusted.

That is just the character you should aim at deserving.
To win perfect trust, show that your talent is being used for
the best—that you are labouring, really and truly, from a
sense of duty. Only thus will you labour honestly.
84 DONKEY BOB, THE POLICEMAN.

DONKEY BOB, THE POLICEMAN.

Mrs. F
was kept in a field with other animals, and grazed quietly with

’s father-in-law had a donkey named Bob, which

 

them, but carefully guarded the entrance against all intruders.
If any strange cows, sheep, or pigs ventured within his
bounds, Bob instantly ran at them full tilt, and hunted them
from the field, kicking out his heels and biting whenever he
had the chance. Indeed, if he but saw them inclined to come
in, he would stand in the gap and defend it bravely. So
watchful was he that it was not thought necessary to have a
herdsman in the place.

Bob was clearly convinced that it was his duty to keep
that field against all intruders... Dear young reader, when
you have the property of another person to watch over, guara
it as thoroughly as did honest Bob his master’s field.

 

THE ASS AND THE DOOR-LATCH.

A CERTAIN ass had his quarters in a shed, in front of which
was a small yard. On one side of the yard was a kitchen
garden, separated from it by a wall, in which was a door
fastened by two bolts and a latch. The owner of the place
one morning, in taking a turn round his garden, saw the
footprints of an ass on the walks and beds, “Surely some
one must have left the door open at night,” thought the
master. He accordingly took care to see that it was closed.
Again, however, he found that the ass had visited the garden.
THE ASS AND THE DOOR-LATCH. 85

The next night, curious to know how this had happened,
he watched from a window overlooking the yard. At first he
kept a light burning near him. The ass, however, remained
quietly at his stall. After a time, to enable him to see the
better, he removed the light. To his great surprise the sup-
posed stupid donkey came out of the shed, went to the door, and,
rearing himself on his hind-legs, drew back the upper bolt
of the door with his nose. This done, he next withdrew the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lower bolt; then he lifted the latch, and walked into the garden,
He did not spend a long time roaming there, but when he
returned he had a bunch of carrots in his mouth. Placing
them in his shed, he went back and carefully closed the door,
and began at his ease to munch the food he had so cleverly got.

The owner, afraid that people would not believe his story,
invited several of his neighbours to witness the actions of

the ass. Not till the light, however, had been taken away
86 THE ASS AND THE TEETOTALLER.

would the creature begin his work, evidently aware that he
was doing wrong. A lock was afterwards put on the door,
which completely defeated the skill of the cunning animal.

 

THE ASS AND THE TEETOTALLER.

THE ass has a memory quite as good as that of the horse.
This was very noticeable in the case of an ass belonging to a
carrier at Wigan.

The ass and his master used to stop at a certain public-
house, where the latter obtained a pot of beer, of which he
always gave the animal a little. At length the master turned
a teetotaller, and of course ceased to stop at the public-house ;
but the ass, whenever he reached the well-known halting-
place, refused to go on, and no beating would make him
stir till he had got his usual drop of beer. The carrier had
therefore to buy some beer for his beast, though he no longer
required it for himself.

Remember what I said before about bad habits. Though
your friends may cease to rebuke you, that is no proof that
you are cured of them, or. that the habits are not as evil as
at the first.

 

THE DONKEY AND HIS MISTRESS.

Donkeys are capable of great affection for those who treat
them well.

An old woman, known to Mrs. F——, had a donkey
that usually grazed on the roadside: near her cottage, and
when he saw any person about to enter her abode, he would
THE MUSICAL ASS. 87

run to the door and defend it till the dame herself appeared.
If any one annoyed the old woman—as the boys around
would sometimes do, for the sake of seeing how the donkey
would behave—he would kick out at them fiercely, force
them to run away, and chase them for some distance.

When the dame wished to:ride, he would walk with the
greatest care and gentleness; but if any other person tried
to mount him, the ass very soon showed him that his will
and power were useless, and the effort usually ended in the
rider being roughly thrown, and perhaps kicked.

 

THE MUSICAL ASS.

We have no less an authority than Dr. Franklin to prove
that donkeys enjoy music.

The mistress of a country house in France, where he visited,
had an excellent voice, and every time she began to sing, a
donkey belonging to the estate constantly came near the win-
dow, and listened with the greatest attention. One day, during
the performance of a piece of music which apparently pleased
it more than any it had before heard, the animal, quitting its
usual post outside the window, without ceremony entered the
room, and showed its joy by braying with all its might.

I need scarcely hint, after you have read this story, that
you will act wisely in keeping your proper place. You may
be thought very clever in the nursery, or even at school;
but when you appear among strangers at home, or go out
visiting, wait till you are invited to show your talents, or you
may be thought as forward a donkey as was the musical ass.
 

88 THE BRAVE ASS AND HIS FOE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BRAVE ASS AND HIS FOE.

I HAVE heard of a donkey which once bravely did battle for
himself,

He happened to be feeding near a river when a fierce
bull-dog attacked him, but so boldly did he strike out with
his heels that the dog was unable to fasten on him. At
length the ass suddenly turned round, and with his teeth
seized the bull-dog by the neck. The dog howled with pain,
and struggled to get free, but the ass had no intention as yet

of letting it go. Holding it tight, he dragged it struggling
THE NEWSMAN’S HORSE, 89

into the water, going in deeper and deeper; then kneeling
down where the depth was enough for the purpose, he kept
the dog under the surface till it was drowned.

Whenever you are attacked by a spiritual or a moral
foe, imitate the brave ass, and drown it.

 

THE NEWSMAN’S HORSE.

THE memory of horses is most remarkable. The newsman
of a country paper was in the habit of riding his horse once
or twice a week to the houses of fifty or sixty of his cus-
tomers, and the horse always stopped of his own accord at
each house as he reached it.

But the memory of this horse was shown in a still more
curious manner. It happened that there were two persons
in the round who took one paper between them, and each
claimed the privilege of having it first on each alternate
week. The horse soon became used to this rule, and though
the parties lived two miles apart, he stopped once a fortnight
at the door of the half-customer at one place, and once a fort-
night at the door of the half-customer at the other; and
never did he forget this order of things, which lasted for
several years.

If an animal can thus become so regular in his habits,
and remember his duty so well as did this newsman’s horse,
surely you, my readers, whether young or old, have no
excuse when you forget yours, and neglect to be at the
proper place at the proper time.
90 THE SHIPWRECKED ASS.

THE SHIPWRECKED ASS.

AN ass was shipped at Gibraltar on board the Jss frigate,
to be sent to Captain Dundas, then at Malta. The ship, on
her voyage, struck on a sand-bank off Cape de Gat, when

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

among other things thrown overboard was the poor ass; for
it was hoped that, although the sea was running high, the
animal might reach the shore.
THE OLD HAWKER AND HIS DONKEY. 91

A few days afterwards, when the gates of Gibraltar were
opened in the morning, the guard was surprised to see the
ass present himself for admittance. On being allowed to
pass, he went without delay. to the stable of his former mas-
ter. Not only had the animal swam safely to shore through
the heavy surf, but without guide or compass had found his
way from Cape de Gat to Gibraltar, a distance of more than
two hundred miles, across a hilly and difficult country, crossed
by many streams, and in so short a time that he could not
have made one false turn.

 

THE OLD HAWKER AND. HIS DONKEY.

AN old hawker was in the habit of going about the country
with his ass, which had served him faithfully for many years.
To help himself along, he used frequently to catch hold of
the animal’s tail.

The winter wind was blowing strongly, and snow had
long been falling heavily, when the old hawker found him-
self suddenly plunged with the ass into a deep drift. In
vain he struggled to get out, and fully believed that his last
hour had come. The ass had better fortune, and reached
the road; but after looking about without being able to see
his master, he once more made his way through the drift,
and then, placing himself so that the old hawker could catch
hold of his tail, the faithful beast dragged him safely out.

Never despise the help offered by a humble friend. We
are all apt to think too much of our own strength and
wisdom.
92 THE BAKERS DONKEY.

THE BAKER'S DONKEY.

I MET some time ago with an account of a clever donkey
that was employed in drawing a baker’s cart. He knew so
well the houses of all his master’s customers, that while the
baker went into one house to deliver his loaves, the wise ass
would go on to the door of the next, at which, when he could
reach the knocker, he gave a rap-a-tap-tap. If unable to do
so, he would stamp with his feet in a peculiar way, well
known to the inmates. He never failed to stop at their
doors, nor was he ever known by mistake to go to the wrong
house.

Be as careful to learn your school lessons now, and as
exact in business matters when you grow up, as was the
baker’s donkey to attend to what he thought his duty,

 

THE ELEPHANT AND THE ROTTEN
BRIDGE. .

Ir is not often that an elephant can be induced to pass over
ground he thinks unsafe. Sometimes, however, a driver gains
such a mastery over a timid animal, that he can force him to
engage in what his better sense would induce him to shun.
An elephant of this kind was owned by a person residing
near Gyah. Between the house and the town was a small
bridge, over which the elephant had often passed. One day,
however, he refused to go over it. He tried it with his
trunk, evidently thinking that its strength was not equal to
THE ELEPHANT AND THE ROTTEN BRIDGE. 93

bearing his great weight. Still, the self-willed driver urged
him on with the sharp spear with which elephants are driven.
At length, with wary steps he began the passage, still show-
ing extreme unwillingness to go on, As he got near to the
centre, loud cracks were heard, when the faithless bridge
gave way, and both elephant and rider were thrown into the

 

stream below. The latter was killed by the fall, and the
former, who had proved himself the more sensible of the
two, was much injured.

Let no force induce you to do what is wrong. All bad
‘ways are like that rotten bridge. When others try to drive
you into evil ways, tell them the story of the elephant and
the rotten bridge.
94 THE ELEPHANT AND THE TIPSY SOLDIER.

 

 

THE ELEPHANT AND THE TIPSY
SOLDIER.

SOME years ago a soldier, stationed at Pondicherry, formed
a friendship with an elephant, and used to give him a
portion of his daily allowance of liquor. One day the
soldier, getting tipsy, and being followed by the guard,
ran to hide himself behind the elephant, under whose
body he was in a few minutes fast asleep. The guard
came near to seize the soldier, but, though the “keeper
assisted the soldiers, the elephant’ would allow no one to
AN ELEPHANT’S REVENGE. 95

come near him, and kept whirling his trunk about in a
way which showed that he was resolved to protect his
charge at all costs.

What was the soldier’s horror next morning when, look-
ing up, he found the huge animal standing over him! One
step of his great feet, and his life would have been crushed
out. If he did not then and there resolve to give up drink-
ing for the future, he deserved to be less fortunate another
time. As he crawled out, the elephant evidently saw the
terror he was in, and, to assure him, caressed him gently
with his trunk, and allowed him to go to his quarters. The
animal, seeing his friend in safety, suffered his keeper to
come near and lead him away.

Thankfulness led the elephant to guard his erring friend.
How sad to think that human beings are so often less thank-
ful to those from whom they have received kindness !

 

AN ELEPHANTS REVENGE.

In the city of Delhi, in India, a tailor was in the habit of
giving some fruit to an elephant that daily passed the place
where he sat at work. So well used to this had the animal
become, that it never failed to put its trunk in at the win-
dow to receive the usual gift.

One day, however, the tailor, being out of humour, thrust
his needle into the elephant’s trunk, telling it to be gone, as
he had nothing to give it.

The elephant passed quietly on; but on coming to a pool
of dirty water near by, it filled its trunk there and returned,
96 THE ELEPHANT IN A WELL.

 

 

 

 

smal

Thrusting its huge head in at the window, it half drowned
the poor tailor by pouring a fiood of dirty water over him,
to the great amusement of those who saw the scene!

 

THE ELEPHANT IN A WELL

WHILE the British troops were besieging Bhurtpore in India,
the supply of water in the ponds and tanks in the neighbour-
hood failed. Water could be obtained only from deep and
large wells. In this service elephants were very useful.

One day two of these animals—one of them large and
came together to a well.

 

strong, the other much smailer
The smaller elephant carried with his trunk a bucket, which
the larger, not having one, stole from him. The smaller
THE ELEPHANT IN A WELL. 97

animal knew that he could not take it from the other; but
he eyed him, watching his time to punish him. The larger
elephant now came near the edge of the well, when the
smaller one, rushing forward with all his might, pushed him
fairly into the water.

 

 

 

Laughable as was the scene, the effects of it might have
been serious. Should the great animal not be got out, the
water would be spoiled; at all events, his rushing about
would make it very muddy. The elephant, however, seemed

~

(
98 USEFULLY CLEVER ELEPHANTS.

in no way put about, and kept floating at his ease, enjoying
the cool water, and showing no wish to come out of it. At
length a number of bundles of sticks used in the siege were
brought, and these being lowered into the well, the elephant
was induced by his driver to place them under his feet. In
this way a pile was raised high enough to enable him to
stand upon it. But, being unwilling to leave the water, he
after a time would allow no more bundles to be lowered ;
and his driver had to caress him, and promise him plenty
of liquor as a reward, to induce him-to raise himself out of
the water. The elephant at last allowed more bundles to be
thrown in; and at length, after some masonry was removed
from the edge of the well, he was able to step out—the
whole work having occupied fourteen hours.

You will perhaps smile at the conduct of the two huge
creatures. It was very like that of human beings. A big
boy plays a smaller one a trick—snatches something from
him. The other pays him back. An uproar is raised, and
often serious trouble follows. These two elephants behaved
just like two ill-tempered boys; and through them a whole
army was doomed to suffer for many hours the pangs of
thirst. Remember the golden rule, “Do unto others as you
would that they should do unto you.”

 

USEFULLY CLEVER ELEPHANTS.

In the island of Ceylon there are large herds of wild ele-
phants. Many have been caught and tamed, and made use-
ful in helping to build bridges, houses, and churches. Trav-
USEFULLY CLEVER ELEPHANTS. 99

ellers tell us that some of them are as careful about the
neatness of their work as men could be! An elephant was
once seen to step back a few yards, as if to see whether it
had laid a block of stone straight, and then, apparently not
satisfied, it returned and pushed it into its right place !

Some years ago, an engineer in Ceylon had to lay pipes
to convey water nearly two miles, over hills and through

 

 

 

 

woods where there were no roads. To help him in his work,
he had to employ several elephants; and nothing could be
more interesting than to watch the way in which the ele-
phant engineers did their work. Lifting up one of the
heavy pieces of pipe, and balancing it with his trunk, each
animal would march off with its load, and carry it safely
over every obstacle, to the place where it was to be laid.
—

100 USEFULLY CLEVER ELEPHANTS.

When it reached the spot, it would kneel down and place
the pipe exactly where the driver wished.
Once, when one of the elephants found it hard to get one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of the pipes it had brought fitted into another, it went to the
end of the pipe, and putting its head against it, soon forced
it into its right place.
THE ELEPHANT ACCUSING HIS DRIVER OF THEFT. 101

An elephant can be taught to take a broom and sweep out
a large yard. Indeed, he is so wise and clever, and may be
trained to so many different uses, that some of the natives of
India look upon him as being gifted with reason.

His trunk is one of the wonders of creation. He can
use it to root up a tree, to pull off a branch, to pick up a
nut, or to brush away a fly. By means of it he breathes,
conveys food to his mouth, and draws up water, which he
can use either for drinking or for cooling himself by throw-
ing it over his body.

The wife of an elephant driver was in the habit of leav-
ing her baby in its cradle beside an elephant, and it is said
that the huge animal learned to rock the cradle with its
trunk till the child fell asleep. When it grew older the
child used to play about on the ground near the elephant.
It would sometimes go up to the elephant’s huge legs, but
it never was hurt. If the child was caught among the
branches of the trees near which the elephant was chained,
the wise creature would gently lift the child out with its
trunk and put him again on the smooth, soft ground.

 

THE ELEPHANT ACCUSING HIS DRIVER
OF THEFT.

WE have, I think, enough of evidence to prove that ele-
phants have greater reasoning power than any other animals.
They seem, indeed, to have many of the feelings of human
beings. In spite of their size, what activity do they show!
what wonderful judgment! How cautious they are in all

 
102 THE GRATEFUL LION.

their proceedings! How great is their love of method and
good order! So gentle, too, are many of them, that the
youngest infant might be safely trusted to their keeping;
and yet, if insulted or vexed by a grown-up person, the same
animal might hurl him to the ground with a blow of his
trunk, or crush him with his heavy feet. I will tell you
another of the many stories I have heard about these won-
derful creatures.

The following anecdote shows the elephant’s knowledge
of what is right. ,

A large elephant was sent a few years ago to assist in
piling up timber at Nagercoil. The officer who sent it, doubt-
ing the honesty of the driver, asked the wife of a missionary,
to whose house the animal was sent, to watch that he re-
ceived his proper allowance of rice. After some time the
lady, fearing that her charge was being robbed of his rice,
intimated her fear to the keeper. Pretending surprise at
having such a charge made against him, he exclaimed in his
native tongue, “ Madam, do you think I would rob my child?”
The elephant, which was standing by, seemed aware of the
subject spoken about, and kept eying the keeper, who had
on a bulky waist-cloth. No sooner had he uttered these
_ words than the animal threw his trunk around him and
untied the waist-cloth, when a quantity of rice fell to the
ground.

 

 

THE GRATEFUL LION.

A REMARKABLY handsome African lion was being sent to the
coast, where it was to be placed on board ship, to be carried
 

 

THE GENEROUS LION AND HIS ASSAILANTS. 103

to France, when it fell ill. Its keepers, supposing that it
would not recover, left it to die on the wild open side of the
mountain which they were at the time crossing. There it
lay, on the point of dying, when a traveller, who had been
shooting in the interior of the country, happened to pass that
way. Seeing the state of the noble-looking animal, he gave
it some new milk from the goats which he had in his camp.
The lion drank it eagerly, and at once began to revive, show-
ing its thankfulness by licking the hand of the kind stranger.
The traveller continued his kind offices to the poor beast,
which, owing to his care, completely recovered.

When the traveller moved on, the lion joined his camp,
and became so attached to him that it followed him about
everywhere, taking food from his hand, and being in every
respect as tame as a dog.

 

THE GENEROUS LION AND HIS
ASSAILANTS.

Tt was the custom till lately on the Continent to have
combats between wild animals and dogs, although they were
very different from those seen in the days of ancient Rome.
It had been arranged that a battle should take place
between a lion and four large bull-dogs. The lion, let out
from his den, stood looking round him in the arena, when
the dogs were also let loose. Three of them, however, turned
tail, one alone having the courage to attack him. The lion,
crouching down as the dog drew near, stretched him motion-
less with one stroke of his paw; then drawing the animal

 

 
104 THE GENEROUS LION AND HIS ASSAILANTS,

towards him, he almost covered him with his huge fore-paws,
It was believed that the dog was dead. In a short time,
however, it began to move, and was allowed by the lion to
struggle to its feet ; but when the dog attempted to run away,
the lion, with two bounds, reached it, showing it how com-
pletely it was in his power. |

 

Pity, or it may have been scorn, now seemed to move the
heart of the noble lion. He stepped back a few paces, and
allowed the dog to escape through the door opened for the
purpose, while the beholders uttered loud shouts of applause.

Stee
THE TRICKS OF MONKEYS. 105

THE TRICKS OF MONKEYS.

A SAILOR once went ashore on the coast of South America,
He had with him a number of red woollen caps for sale. On
his way to a town at some distance from the coast, he had
to pass through a forest, in which troops of monkeys were

 

 

 

 

 

 

everywhere seen climbing among the trees. At noon, as the
sun was right overhead, the sailor had to take shelter from
its burning rays. He jay down to rest under the shade of a
large tree. Taking one of the caps out of his bundle, he put
it on his head, and soon fell fast asleep.

When he awoke, he was surprised to find that the caps
were all gone! He heard a most unusual chattering among
the dense branches above him, and, looking up, he saw the
106 THE TRICKS OF MONKEYS.

trees alive with monkeys. _On the head of each monkey was
a red woollen cap! The little mimics had watched his pro-
ceedings; and having stolen his caps while he slept, had
adorned their black pates with their booty. The monkeys
gave no heed to his shouts, but only grinned at his rage.

Finding every attempt to get back his caps fruitless, he
pulled off the one which he had put on his head, and threw
it on the ground, crying out, “ Here, you little thieving rogues,
if you will keep the rest, you may take this one too!” No
sooner had he done this, than, to his great joy, the little
animals at once did the same. Each snatched the cap from
his head and threw it on the ground! The sailor regained
all his caps, and marched off in triumph.

Among the rules of the port of London is one which for-
bids, under a heavy penalty, the firing of a gun from any vessel
lying there. An armed ship had just come in from a long
voyage, during which she had touched at several places, and
at each of them had fired a salute on anchoring. A monkey
that was on board, naturally wondering why this was not
done when he saw the anchor dropped at London, resolved,
rather than that it should not take place, that he would fire
the salute himself! Accordingly, while the attention of all
on board was engaged with the arrival of the ship, he went
to the cooking-place, and with the tongs took out a live coal,
which he applied to the touch-hole of one of the guns; and
at once the whole neighbourhood was startled by the roar of
the cannon. The captain of the vessel was tried for breaking
the law; and he could clear himself only by proving that the
cannon had been fired by the monkey.

 
THE WOLF AND HIS MASTER. 107

THE WOLF AND HIS MASTER.

EVEN a wolf, savage as it is, may become tame, if caught
young and treated kindly.
A story is told of a wolf which showed a great amount

 

of affection for its master. He had brought it up from a
puppy, and it became as tame as the best-trained dog, obeying
him in everything. Having often to leave home, and not |
108 THE CUNNING WOLF.

being able to take the wolf with him, he sent it to a wild-
beast show, where he knew it would be carefully looked after.
At first the wolf was very unhappy, and evidently pined for
its absent master. At length, giving itself up to its fate, it
made friends with its keepers, and recovered its spirits.

Fully eighteen months had passed by, when its old master,
returning home, paid a visit to the show. As soon as he
spoke, the wolf knew his voice, and made great efforts to get
free. On being set at liberty, it sprang forward, and leaped
up and caressed him like a dog. Its master, however, left it
with its keepers, and three years passed away before he paid
it another visit. Notwithstanding this lapse of time, the
wolf again knew him, and showed the same marks of aftection.

On its master again going away, the wolf became gloomy
and refused its food, so that it seemed to be dying. It re-
covered its health, however, and though it suffered its keepers
to come near, showed its savage temper toward all strangers.

The history of this wolf shows you that the fiercest
natures may be calmed by gentleness.

 

THE CUNNING WOLF.

Two hundred years ago there were wolves in Ireland, and it
appears that they were as cunning as the foxes of the present
day.

A man, travelling, as was the custom in those times, on
horseback, with a sword by his side, was passing between
two towns, some three miles from each other, when he was
attacked by a wolf. He drove him off with his sword, but
THE LABOURER AND THE SLY FOX. 109

again and again the animal attacked him. He had nearly
reached the town to which he was going, when he met a
friend who was unarmed, whom he told of the danger he had
met with; and, as he believed himself now safe from attack,
he gave him the sword for his defence. The wolf had been
watching this proceeding, evidently intent on attacking the
person who was travelling without a sword. When he saw
that the first he had attacked was now defenceless, he made
after him at full speed, and overtaking him before he got into
the town, leaped upon him, unarmed as he now was, and
killed him.

When striving for an object, continue your efforts and
be cautious, as at the first, till you have gained it.

 

THE LABOURER AND THE SLY FOX.

A LABOURER going to his work one morning caught. sight of
a fox stretched out at full length under a bush. Believing
it to be dead, the man drew it out by the tail, and swung it
about to assure himself of the fact. Seeing no signs of life,
he then threw it over his shoulder, intending to make a cap
of the skin, and ornament his cottage wall with the bushy
tail. While the fox hung over one shoulder, his pickaxe
balanced it on the other. The point of the axe. as he walked
along, every now and then struck against the ribs of the fox,
which, not so dead as the man thought, objected to this
treatment, though he did not mind being carried along with
his head downward. Losing patience, he gave a sharp snap
at that portion of the labourer’s body near which his head
110 THE RATS AND THE WINE-CASK.

hung. The man, startled by this sudden attack, threw fox
and pickaxe to the ground, when, turning round, he saw the
live animal making off at full speed.

 

THE RATS AND THE WINE-CASK.

AN old lady, wealthy and kind-hearted, lived in a large house,
with several servants to attend on her. Although no murder
or other dark deed was ever known to have been done in the
house, report said it was haunted.

  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
   

Without doubt, noises were often
| heard in the lower part of the house.
| Night after night strange sounds
arose after the servants had retired
to their beds. At last the old lady
resolved to resist this disturbance of
her peace. She told her servants to
arm themselves with such weapons
as they could obtain, and she herself
sat up with a brace of loaded pistols
= before her. This had

the desired effect.
The ghostly visi-
tants; if such
they were,
ceased from
their ~gam-
bols. All remained
silent till cock-crow.

 
THE POLAR BEAR AND HER CUBS. 111

Night after night the brave old lady watched, but no ghosts
came.

In honour of her victory, she invited a number of friends
to dinner, and resolved to open a cask of wine which had
been long hoarded. With keys in hand, attended by the
butler, she entered the cellar. The peg was pulled out from
the cask, but no wine came. The butler tapped ; a hollow sound
was the return. On the cask being examined with a light,
teeth-marks were seen at the very lowest part of the staves.

By rats alone could such marks have been made. What
a band of thirsty drinkers must have been employed in the
theft! No doubt it was the rats, made drunk by such
unusual draughts, that had caused. the strange sounds. Be
that as it may, the lady lost her wine; and the cask was
placed in the museum of Mr. Buckland, who tells the tale;
and there it stands to prove its truth.

It is said that rats will insert their tails into oil-flasks,
and allow each other in turn to suck off the liquid thus
obtained.

 

THE POLAR BEAR AND HER CUBS.

THE monarch of the Arctic regions, the great white bear there
reigns supreme. Though his mate is as savage as he is, she shows
the utmost affection for her young. I have a sad tale to tell.

The crew of a vessel exploring in the Arctic Seas had
killed a walrus, and had made a fire with part of the blubber.
The steam cf the flesh drew from afar towards it a she bear
and her two cubs. Putting their noses to the tempting mess,
they began to eat it eagerly. The seamen, seeing this, threw
112 THE POLAR BEAR AND HER CUBS.

other pieces on the ice nearer to the ship. The bear came
nearer and nearer, carrying off the pieces, which she gave to
her cubs, and, though evidently starving, taking but a small
portion herself. The thoughtless sailors shot the two cubs,
and again firing, wounded the mother. Though she herself
was barely able to crawl to the spot where they lay, she

 

 

carried to them the last lump of blubber, trying to make
them eat it. Discovering that they were unable to do so,
she tried to raise first one, and then the other; but in vain.
She now began to retreat; but her motherly feelings over-
coming her, though aware of the danger she was running,
she returned to where they lay, moaning sadly. Several
times did she thus behave, when, seemingly convinced that
 

THE DOE-CHAMOIS AND HER YOUNG. 113

her young ones were cold and helpless, she cast a reproving
glance toward the vessel whence the cruel bullets had come,
and uttered a low wail of despair which might have moved
the hearts even of the most unfeeling. A shower of musket
bullets, however, laid her low between her two cubs, and she
died licking their wounds.

You cry “Shame” on the rough sailors for their cruelty.
Yes, they acted cruelly, because they were thoughtless of the
feelings of the poor bear. Ask yourself, dear young friend,
if you are ever thoughtless of the feelings of those who merit
your tenderest love. If you are, cry “Shame” on yourself,
and try in future to regard them first of all things.

 

THE DOE-CHAMOIS AND HER YOUNG.

THE nimble inhabitant of the lofty Alps—the graceful cha-
mois—shows the greatest affection for her young.

A Swiss hunter, while pursuing his dangerous sport
observed a mother chamois and her two kids 6n a rock above
him. They were sporting by her side, leaping here and there
around her. While she watched their gambols, she was ever
on the watch lest an enemy should come near.

The hunter, climbing the rock, drew near, intending, if
possible, to capture one of the kids alive. No sooner did
the mother chamois observe him, than, dashing at him
furiously, she strove to hurl him with her horns down the
cliff. The hunter, knowing that he might kill her at any
moment, drove her off, fearing to fire, lest the young ones
should take to flight.
114 THE DOE-CHAMOIS AND HER YOUNG.

He was aware that a deep cleft existed beyond them,
by which he believed the escape of the animals to be cut off.
What was his surprise, therefore, when he saw the old
chamois approach the gap, and, stretching out her fore and
hind legs, thus form with her body a bridge across it.

 

As soon as she had done this, she called on her young
ones, and they sprang, one at a time, on her back, and

reached the other side in safety. By a strong effort, she
THE WISE BEAVER. 115

sprang across after them, and soon led her charges beyond
the reach of the hunter’s bullets.

Trust your mother; she, in most cases, will find means
to help you out of trouble.

 

THE WISE BEAVER.

You have often heard of the wonderful way in which
beavers in America build their houses and dams. They
seem, however, to be guided by instinct rather than by reason.
I will tell you of a beaver that lived as a captive in France.

To supply him with food, all sorts of things—fruits,
vegetables, and small branches of trees—were thrown to him.
His keepers, knowing that he came from a cold climate, took
no means to keep him warm. Winter coming on, one night
large flakes of snow were driven by the wind into a corner
of his cage. The poor beaver, who, in his own country,
forms a warm house for himself, almost perished with the
cold. I£ man would not help him, he must try to help
himself to build a cell which would shelter him from the icy
blast. The materials at his disposal were the branches of
trees given him to gnaw. These he wove between the bars
of his cage, filling up the spaces with the carrots and apples
which had been thrown in for his food. Besides this, he
plastered the whole with snow, which froze during the night ;
and next morning it was found that he had built a wall of
goodly height, which perfectly answered his purpose.

Make the best of the means at your disposal, as well as
of the talents you possess.
116 THE TAME OTTER.

 

  
  
 

, — s

    
 
 

  

.

I

   

  
 
 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE TAME OTTER.

THE otter, although not so skilful a builder as the beaver,
appears to possess more wisdom. A fine one, caught in
Scotland, became so tame, that whenever it was alarmed it
would spring for shelter into the arms of its master.

It had also been taught to fish for his benefit; and so
skilful was it at this sport, that it would catch several fine
salmon during the day, in a stream near his house. It could
fish as well in salt water as in fresh. Bravely it would
breast the waves of the ocean, and swim: off in chase of
THE OTTER AND HER YOUNG ONES. 117

cod-fish, of which it would in a short time catch large
numbers.

When wearied by its efforts, nothing would induce it
to re-enter the water. At such times it received a part of
the produce of the sport for its own share; and after having
satisfied itself, it would fall asleep, and was generally in
that condition carried home, to begin its labours on another
day.

Though you may be very young and small, you may, if
you try, help those much older and bigger than yourself.

 

THE OTTER AND HER YOUNG ONES.

I HAVE another story about an otter, which lived in the
Zoological Gardens in London. The otter-pond, enclosed by
a wall, was on one occasion only half-full of water, when the
otter for whose use it was intended had a pair of young ones.
Happening to fall into the water, they were unable to climb
up the steep sides of the pond. The mother, afraid that they
would be drowned, tried in vain, by stooping over the wall, to
drag them out. At last she jumped in, and after playing with
them for a short time, was seen to put her head to the ear of
one of the little creatures. This was to tell her child what she
wanted it to do. Directly after, she sprang out of the pond,
while her young one caught hold of the fur at the root of her
tail; and while it clung tightly to her, she dragged it out, and
placed it safely on the dry ground. She then again plunged
in, and in the same.way dragged out her other young one.

I am very sure that your parents will help you out of any
118 THE EWE AND HER LAMB.

difficulty into which you may fall; but then you must do as
they tell you, thus following the example of the young otters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE EWE AND HER LAMB.

HERE is a story about a ewe which shows the stron
tion she had for her young.

io affec-
THE EWE AND HER OLD HOME. 119

A lamb, frisking about near its mother, happened to
spring into a thick hedge, in which its coat was so firmly
held that it could not escape. The ewe, after vainly trying
to rescue her young one, ran off with loud bleatings toward
a neighbouring field where there was a ram, and told him
of the disaster. He at once returned with her, and by
means of his horns quickly pushed the young creature out
of the thorny trap in which it had been caught.

 

THE EWE AND HER OLD HOME.

A EWE, bred in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, was driven
into Perthshire, a distance of upwards of one hundred miles.
She remained some time at the place, and there became the
mother of a lamb. She took a dislike to her new home, and
thoughts of her early days stealing upon her, she made up
her mind to return to the scenes of her youth.

Calling her lamb, she one night set off southward. Often
she was forced to hurry on her young one with eager
bleatings. She took the highroad, along which she had been
driven. Reaching Stirling early in the morning, she found
that a fair was taking place, and that the town was full of
people. Unwilling to venture among them for fear of being
caught, or of losing her lamb, she waited calmly outside till
the evening, lying close by the roadside. Many people saw
her, but believing that her owner was near, they did not
trouble her. During the early hours of the morning she got
safely through, observed by several people, and evidently
120 THE EWE AND HER OLD HOME.

afraid lest the dogs prowling about the town might injure

her young one.
Arriving at length at the toll-bar of St. Ninians, she was

stopped by the toll-keeper, who supposed her to be a stray

 

sheep. She escaped him, however, and several times when
the gate was opened tried, with the lamb at her heels, to
make her way through. He each time drove her back. She
at length turned round, and appeared to be going the way
she came. She had, however, not given up her intention,
THE WILD TURKEY AND THE DOG. 121

for she either discovered a more round-about road to the
south side of the gate, or made her way through; for on a
Sabbath morning early in June she arrived at the farm
where she had been bred, — having been nine days on
her journey.

So delighted was her former ‘owner with this proof of
affection for the farm, and with her wonderful memory, that
he offered her purchaser the price he had received; and to

 

the day of her death—when she had reached the mature age,
for a sheep, of seventeen years—she remained a constant

resident on her native farm.

 

THE WILD TURKEY AND THE DOG.

Aupugpon, the American naturalist, whose statements we can
always trust, once had a fine male turkey of the wild breed
common in the Western States. He had reared the bird till
it became so tame that it would follow any one who called
it. He had also a favourite spaniel, which became very
intimate with the turkey, and the two might constantly have
been seen running side by side. When the bird was about
two years old, it would fly into the forest, and sometimes
remain away for several days together.

It happened one day, after it had been absent for some
time, that as Audubon was walking through the forest at
some distance from his home, he saw a turkey get up before
him, but he did not know it as his own. Wishing to secure
it for the table, he ordered his dog to make chase. Off went
the spaniel at full speed; but the bird, instead of flying away,
122 THE WILD TURKEY AND THE DOG.

remained quietly on the ground till its pursuer came up. The
dog was then about to seize it, when Audubon saw the former
suddenly stop, and turn her head towards him. On hasten-
ing up, he discovered, greatly to his surprise, that the turkey

 

was his own. As the bird knew the spaniel, it had not flown
away from her, as it would have done from a strange dog.

Unhappily, the turkey, again leaving home to range
through the forest, was mistaken for a wild one, and was
shot. Audubon knew it by a red ribbon being brought him
which he had placed round its neck.
THE TAME CROW. 123

Do not forget old friends or former worthy companions,
however humble, but treat them with kindness and regard.

 

THE TAME CROW.

Ir is interesting to rear up animals or birds, and to watch
their progress as they gain strength and sense, and thus
remark their various habits and tempers. Almost constantly,
when kindly treated, they return the care spent on them by
marks of affection, though some show it in a much less degree
than others.

Crows are thought wise birds, but while knowing how
to take care of themselves, they are not famous for affection.
Still a crow may become fond of its owner.

A gentleman had reared one from the nest, and it had
long dwelt with him, coming at his call, and feeding from his
hand. At length it disappeared, and he supposed that it had
been killed. About a year afterwards, as he was out walk-
ing one day, he observed a flock of crows flying overhead,
when what was his surprise to see one of them leave the
flock, fly towards him, and perch on his shoulder! He at
once knew his old friend, and spoke to it as he had been in
the habit of doing. The crow cawed in return, but kept
carefully beyond reach of his hand; showing that, having
enjoyed a free existence, it did not intend to become a pris-
oner again. A few more caws were uttered. Its companions
cawed likewise. The crow understood their call. Probably
its mate, and perhaps its young ones, were among them.
Glancing towards them, and with a farewell caw to its old
124 THE FOX AND THE WILD-FOWL.

 

master, it spread its wings and joined the flock; nor did it
ever again return to its former home.

You will find it far easier to give up good habits than to
get rid of bad ones. Be careful therefore to cherish the good
ones. You can never have too many of them.

 

THE FOX AND THE WILD-FOWL.

Mrs. F
of a fox, witnessed by a friend.

 

gave me the following account of the clever trick
THE FOX AND THE WILD-FOWL. 125

He was lying one summer day under the shelter of some
shrubs on the banks of the Tweed, when he heard the cries
of wild-fowl, attended by a great deal of fluttering and
splashing. On looking round, he saw a large brood of ducks,
which had been disturbed by the drifting of a fir branch

Ae

 

y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

among them. After circling in the air for a little time, they
again settled down on their feeding-ground.

Two or three minutes elapsed, when the same event again
occurred—a branch drifted down with the stream into the
midst of the ducks, and startled them. Once more they rose
upon the wing, screaming loudly; but when the harmless
bough had drifted by, they settled down on the water as
126 - THE PRISONER SET FREE.

before. This occurred so often that at last they scarcely

troubled themselves to flutter out of the way, even when —

about to be touched by the drifting bough.

The gentleman, meantime, marking the regular intervals
at which the fir branches came after each other in the same
track, looked for a cause, and saw, at length, higher up the
bank of the stream, a fox, which, having evidently sent them
adrift, was eagerly watching their progress and the effect
they produced. Satisfied with the result, cunning Reynard
at last selected a larger branch of spruce-fir than usual, and
couching himself down on it, sent it adrift as he had done the
others. The birds, now well used to the floating branches,
scarcely moved till he was in the midst of them. Then,
making rapid snaps right and left, he secured two fine young
ducks as his prey, and floated forward in triumph on his raft ;

while the remaining fowls, screaming in terror, took to flight,

and returned no more to the spot.

 

THE PRISONER SET FREE.

Mrs. F——, who has had much experience with poultry,
considers them very sensible and kind-hearted birds. The
leg of a young duck had been broken by an accident. She
placed it in splints, and put the bird under a small crate,

_ on a patch of grass, to prevent its moving about till it had —

recovered. It was one of a large family; and in a short
time its relatives gathered round the prisoner, clamouring
their condolence in every variety of quacking intonation.
They forced their necks under the crate, evidently trying
THE PRISONER SET FREE. 127

to raise it, and thus liberate the captive; but the effort was
beyond their strength. Convinced, at length, of this, after
clamouring a little more, they marched away in a body, while
the prisoner quietly sat down and appeared resigned.

A short time afterwards a great deal of quacking was
heard, and a regiment of upwards of forty ducks was seen
marching into the yard, headed by two handsome drakes,
known by the names of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. Evi-
dently with a preconceived purpose, they all marched up to
the crate and surrounded it. Every neck was thrust beneath
the lowest bar of the prison; every effort was made to raise
it, but in vain. At length a parley ensued. Then the noise
ceased. Only the deep-toned quacking of Robin Hood was
heard, when their object became clear. All the tribe gath-
ered together on one side of the crate, the strongest in front,
and as many as could reach it thrust their necks beneath
the crate, while the rest pushed them forward from behind.
Thus they succeeded in overturning the crate, and setting
free their imprisoned friend. With clamorous rejoicings from
the whole troop, the liberated duck limped off in their midst.

These sensible ducks teach us the important lesson that
union is streneth. Not that they, you will agree with me,
showed their wisdom exactly in liberating their companion,
who was placed in confinement for his benefit. However,
remember through life how much you may effect in a good
cause by sinking all minor differences, and uniting with
others like-minded with yourself.

—sogvere—

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

128 CONCLUSION.

CONCLUSION.

I rrust, my dear young friends, not only that the narratives
I have given you may prove interesting, but that you will
learn from them to pay due respect to all animals, however
mean and insignificant you may have been accustomed to
consider them. They think and reason in their way. They
not only suffer bodily pain, but they have feelings in a re-
markable degree like your own; and you must admit that it
is cruel to hurt those feelings by anything like ill-treatment
or neglect,

 

 
 
Sa pale See

re ean > eee
ca
ae