The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-01-30

fat, frlsky little dog, always ready Tor
caper. He took distaste to poor pow
erty-stricken Tab the first time he saw
her, and no coaxing could induce him
to alter his opinion. His name was
Pink, but he was anything but pink of
behavior in his neighborly relations.
Poor Tab could never set foot. out of the
door, without being saluted with growl
and short, sharp bark, that frightened
her out of her senses, and made her run
into the house, with fur all on end. If
she ventured to doze little on her own
step, the enemy was on the watch, and
the moment her eyes closed, he would
wake her with a sharp bark and box
on the ear, and off he would run. Aunt
Hetty vowed she would scald him. It
was burning shame, she said, for folks
to keep dogs to worry their neighbor's s
cats Mrs. Fairweather invited Tabby
to dine, and made much Of her, and pa
tiently endeavored ed to teach her dog to
eat from the same plate. But Pink
sturdily resolved that he would be scald-
ed first; that he would. He could not
have been more firm in this opposition
if he and Tab had belonged to different
sects of Christianity. While his mis-
tress was pattiug Tab on the head and
reasoning with him, he would at times
manifest degree of Indifference amount
ing to toleration; but the moment he
was left to his own free will, he would
give the invited guest hearty cuff with
his paw, and send her home splitting like
small steam engine. Aunt EIetty con-
sidered it her own privilege to cuff the
poor creature, and it was too much for
her patience to see Pink undertake to
assist in making Tab unhappy. On one
of these occasions she rushed into her
neighbor's apartments, and faced Mrs
Fairweather, with one hand resting on
her hip, and the forefnger of the other
making very wrathful gesticulations.
:" I tell you what, madam, won't
put up with such treatment much Ion
GER" said she; "I'll poison that dog
you'll see if don't; and shan't wait
long, either, can tell you. What you
keep such an impudent little beast for
don't know, without you do it on pur-
pose to plague your neighbors!"
=" am really sorry to behave so, re-
piled Mrs. Fairweather mildly. "Poor
Tab !"
"Poor Tab r." screamed Miss Turn
penny, "what do you mean by calling
her poor? Do you mean to fling it up
to me that my cat don't have enough to
eat ?"
at did not think of such thing"
replied Mrs. Fairweather. CT called
her poor Tab, because Pink plaques her
so that she has no peace of her life. 1
agree with you, neighbor Turnpenny, it
is not right to keep dog that disturbs
the whole ncighborhood. I am attached
to poor little Pink, because he belongs
to my son, who has gone to sea. was
in hopes he would soon leave off quarrel
ing with the cat; but if he won't be
noighborly, will send him out into the
country to board. Sally, will you bring
me one of the pies we baked this morn
ing? should like to have Miss Turn
penny taste of them"
The Grabbed neighbor was helped
abundantly, and while she was eating
the pie, the friendly matron edged in
many kind word concerning little Peg
gy, whom she praised as a remarkably
capable, Industrious child.
4" 1 am glad you find her SC" rejoined
Aunt Hetty should get precious
little work out of her if I didn't keep
the switch in sight"
"I manage children pretty much as
the man did the donkey" replied Mrs,
Fairweather Not an inch would the
poor beast stir, for all his masters beat
ing and humping. But neighbor tied
some fresh turnips to stick, and fast.
ened them directly before the donkey's
nose, and off he set on brisk trot, in
hopes of overtaking them"
Aunt Hetty, without observing how
very closely the comparison applied to
her own management of Peggy, said that
f" that will do very well for folks that
have plenty of turnips to spare.''
For the matter of that" answered
Mrs. Fairweather, whips cost some
thing as well as turnips; and since one
makes the donkey stand still, and ths
other makes him trot, it is easy to de
eide which is the most economical. Bu
neighbor Turnpenny, since you like my
pies so well, pray take one home will
you. am afraid they will mould be
fore we can eat them up"
Aunt Hetty had come in for quar-
rel, and was astonished to find hersei
going out with pie. Well Mrs. Fair
weather." said she, "you are neigh
Dor. I thank you thousand times
When she reached her own door, sh
hesitated for an instant, then turning
back, pie in hand, to say, Neighbo
Fairweather, you needn't trouble your
self about sending Pink away. It'a nat
ural you should like the little creature
seeing he belongs to your son. I'll tr.
to keep Tab in doors, and perhaps afte
awhile they will agree better"