Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-05-04
Do Good Unto Othcrs.

L
Of farmhouse door, watching very intent
| y the motions Of boy four or FIVE year,
older than herself? And what was PhiliI
doing? Why, he had found a poor little
stray kitten which had wandered into tbs
courtyard, and boy like was driving it bith
er and thither, shouting, throwing sticks anC
pebbles at il, while the terrified little crea
ture ran one way and another, mewing pit
eously, and every sound went the hear
of the compassionate little child who hearC
lit. At last she could endure il no longer
and running to her cousin, with her eye:
filed with tears, and voice which trem
bled with its very earnestness, repeated:
"Don't Philip, IT'S Gods kitty"
| The boy stopped, and looked in her face
in amazement; then suddenly seizing the
fugitive, which had taken refuge in tree
be laid il gently in the child's arms, and
lsaying ''there's your kitten, Clara, !" he turn.
| ed and left the yard. Little Clara ran back
in the house, showed her treasure TO aunt
and sister Fanny, and asked permission to
keep il. Fanny kindly took upon herself
the Office of making it clean. She softly
washed off the dirt, brushed the fur dry.
and brought from the kitchen saucer Of
milk to feed it; and in no long time the kit
ten was lying contenledly in Clara's lap
purring loudly. and quite as happy as the
little girl herself. ,-----
Nothing was seen of Philip till dinner
time, and when be came in be cast sly
glance at Clara's new pet, as if he almost
feared it would complain OF him. But he
was safe from any reproof save that Of his
own conscience. for the kitten could not tell,
Clara would not, and no one else knew any
thing Of the matter. After dinner he tried
TO make friends with Clara, by offering the
kitten some bits of meat. which she took
very gladly, and Tapped bis hands in grail
;ude, while Clara looked up with face so
bright and smiling, twas plain she bad for
gotten the affair of tie morning. Philip
set off for school, and seeing a robin, pick
ed up stone to throw at it, when sud-
den thought checked him, and the stone
fell from his hand
81 suppose Clara would say that is Gods
robin, zoe" he said half aloud: "and the
squirrels, and the cows. and everything else.
What queer little thing she isl won't even
kill fly because she says she couldn't
make il alive again if she would"
And be went on pondering the matter.
He was not a cruel boy naturally. He low
ed bis parents and his gentle cousin very
dear ly; and no one could be kinder to the
horse and the fowls and his dog Bruno,
than was Philip Dale. But be had learned
from his companions the wicked habit Of
torturing animals for sport, without giving
thought TO the pain he was inhicting; and
though his mothers soft Don't do SO, my
son." always stopped him for time, she
was not always present when he was indul-
ging himself in such amusements Not one
word said Philip of the subject which had
occupied his thoughts all day, until eve
ming when Fanny had gone to put Clara to
bed, and all was quiet. Then be came to
his mother end laying his head on her lap,
and looking up into her clear loving eyes
told her of bis conduct in the morning, and
of Clara's entreaty. And Mrs. Dale en-
tering with ready sympathy into her boys
thoughts and feelings, conversed about the
animals, and his duties TO them, and so
deepened the impression upon his mind,
that Philip resolved never again &c u treat
any animal, and be kept bis resoluuon, too.
Some months after, when Clara bad been
for some time at her city home, Mr.. Dale
asked Philip one bright morning to 60 to
town for him TO do some errands They
lived within two or three miles Of the town,
and it was by no means long walk for a
healthy, active boy, and Philip joyfully con-
sented to the proposal. He took his basket
and went merrily On whistling the prettiest
be knew, and, speaking with the numerous
he met, and in good time
reached bis destination As be went for
ward he CHANGED TO spy boy. whom be
knew, cruelty beating dog. which hoWled
with pain. Philip crossed the street.
sWhat is the matter, Jerry ?" he asked,
"what has Ponto been doing?"
Jerry glanced around at him, but Phil
ip's pleasant face and kind tone disarmed
his anger, and be answered rather sullenly:
"He stole my breakfast, and III punish
him for it."
And be raised his stick again, but Philip
caught his arm.
81 wouldn't beat him Jerry he was hun
CRY, poor fellow, and did not know he was
getting your breakfast. Here's a nice
luncheon mother gave me, take it, Jerry,
for had my breakfast long ago; and don't
beat Ponto any more. he is one of Gods
creatures, you know, and We must not abuse
them"
Jerry hesitated, took the profered gift,
and began to eat; for, as Philip suspected,
be was hungry as the dog, and after min
ute he stopped down, and patting the poor
creature, shared his meal with him; while
bis young friend, pleased to see it, ran mer-
rily on to do his errands in town, without
giving thought 10 the loss of his lunch
con. Philip little knew the good he had
done. While be talked with Jerry two men
passed 10 different directions; one ragged
looking man, with face bearing the marks
of intemperance; the other handsomely
dressed, With pleasant, open countenance,
and cheerful smile. This was Frank How
ard, thriving merchant; the other Joe
Dennis, poor laborer, who made himself
still poorer by wasting his earnings in liquor
Howard glanced at the man as he passed
with disgust and scorn. Dennis, on his
part, looked at the young merchant with
despairing envy. r 5aa