The Nevada journal., 1852-06-19
One of his comrades uttered SO,

One Of his comrades uttered some
harmless jest on the loss Of bis favor
ite; and the reply was a furious blow
which felled the speaker, and drew
down on the offender severe chas-
tisement from the task master.
Arrived at the place of labor, he
worked with sort of feverish ardor,
as though trying to give vent to bis
pent>up emotions and while STOPPING
over large beam, which he and some
others were trying TO raise, he felt
something gently tickle his cheek. He
turned round, and gave a shout of joy.
There, on his shoulder, was the only
friend he had in the world-his rat
who, with marvellous instinct, had found
him out, and crept gently up TO his
face. lie took the animal in his hands,
covered it with kisses, placing it with
in its nest, and then addressing the
head gaoler, who happrned to pass by
at the time. he said; "Sir, if you will
allow me to keep this rat, will SOL
cmnly promise to submit 10 you in eve
ry thing, and never again to incur
punishment
The ruler gave sign of acquies-
cence, and passed on, The convict
opened his shirt to give one more look
at his faithful pet, and then contentcd-
ly resumed his work.
That which neither threats nor i'm.
prisonmenb the scourge nor the chain
could effect, was accomplished, and
rapidly, by the influence If love. tho
its object was one Of the most despised
amongst animals. From the moment
when the formidable convict was per-
mitted to cherish his pet night and day
in his bosom, he became the most
tractable and well conducted man in
the prison. Hi, herculean strength
and his moral erergy we're both ems
ployed to assist the governors in main.
tanning peace and subordination Fine
ear, SO he allied his rat, was the OBJ
ject Of his unceasing tenderness. He
fed it before he tasted each meal, and
would rather fast entirely than allow
it to be hungry. He spent his brief
hours of respite from toll in making
various little fancy articles, which he
sold, in order to procure dninties which
Fine-ear liked d-gingerbread and su.
gar, for example. Often during the
period of toll the convict would smile
with delight when his little friend,
creeping from its resting place, would
rub its soft fur ag',inst his cheeks. But
when, upon q fine sunshiny day, the
rat took up his position Oh the ground,
smoothed his coat, and dressed his long
ears with his delicate paws, his master
would testify the utmost delight, and
exchange tender glanccs with the black
roguish eyes Of Master Fine Ear.
The latter, confding in his patrons
care and protection, went, came, spor-
ted, or stood still certain that no one
would injure him for 10 touch hair
Of the rats whisker, would be to incur
a terrible penalty. One day, for hav.
ing thrown apebble at him, q prisoner
was forced to spend a week in hospi
tai ere he recovered the effects Of a
blow bestowed him by Fine Ears
master.
The animal soon began to know the
sound of the dinner bell, and jumped
with delight on the convict when he
heard the welcome summons
-Four years passed on in this man.
ner, when one fire day Fne-Ea was
attacked by a cat, which had found
her way into the workshop, and re-
ceiyed several deep wounds before his
master, flying to the rescue, seized fe-
line foe, and actually tore her to pie>
ces
The recovery Of the rat was tedious.
During the next month the convict
was occupied in dressing his wounds.
1t was strange the interest which eve-
ry one connected with the prison took
in Fine-Ear's misfortune. Not only
did the guardssand turkeys speak Of
it as the topic of the day, but the hos
pital nurses furnished gplasters and
bandages for the wounds |; and even
the surgeon condcscended to prescribe
for it. ufF Ga
At length the animal recovered its
strength and gaiety save that one Of
its bind paws dragged a little, and the
cicatrics still disfgured his skin. He
was more tame and affectionate than
ever, but the sight Of a cat was sufii-
cient to throw his master into par
oxysm of rage, and running after the
unlucky puss, he would if possible
catch and destroy it.
A great pleasure was in store for
the convict. Thanks to his GOOD con-