The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-10

Clon OF a lump OF cheese and piece OF ba-
con, the last corner was filled, did the
knowing creature raise the basket with
his teeth and make a move towards the
door.
"Stop a moment; I'll go with you,"
said the farmer as though he was address
ing a reasonable being. But the dog,
impatient to be off, commenced low.
restless whine.
"Stop then, and take a word with you,
or mayhap, if your folks at home are
honest you will get threshing for
thief" This was spoken in the same
serious tone; and Seth hastily scrubbed
the following message on a sheet of pa
per, and slowed it carefully under the
victuals:
I" Honestly come by take it and well
come Send the dog again"
Now then, off, doggie. off, and take
care of yourself"
A second bidding was unneeded; the
faithful creature bounded away, and was
instantly lost in the darkness
81 believe in Elijah and the ravens"
was Mary's only COMMENT but Seth Mar
TIN began to put on his greatcoat saying
as he did So, al cannot let that poor
brute be more merciful than l am. 1
must try to find out what it means
"But nay sir-dear master; do not
venture out; there inst porches every
where, you know. May the Lord forgive
me we should't have heard the dog if
the gate had not been opened"
And Mary, with the freedom of an old
servant, arose and turned the key in the
door, and then placed the Bible on the
table, knowing that if anything would
detain her master it would be that silent
call to evening prayers.
!" You are right, Polly" (Seth always
called her Polly when he was pleased) i
II, as l suppose, that dog has been
guided here by an overruling Providence,
it will be guided back in safety if not,
why then we can well afford the loss.
If my conjecture is correct, we shall have
another visit. You see if we do not
x
Yes, indeed, Seth's prophecy proved
true. On the morrow about noon, both
dog and basket appeared again; but with
greater boldness on the part of the former.
Entrance was now demanded as right
more than scraped for as a favor.
" You are bold beggar, sir |" cried
the farmer, chuckling with a secret salts
faction at the beautiful confidence shown
by the animal as it laid down its burden
and eyed them with beseeching looks.
None too bold for what we We taught
him, I'm sure, said Mary, with equal
pleasure. els the New Y ears pie to 90
in, r?-I guess that is why we didn't
cut it last night"
"Of course, Polly; we wouldn't do less
but Ell what have we got here2"
And Mr.. Martin drew a neatly folded
slip of paper from the wicker where it
had been carefully inserted, and from it
read as follows:
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren ye have done it
unto Me-
"P. ST. do not know how to thank my un-
known friends. May the God of the fatherless
and of the widow bless you
I. y. FL didn't know the dog had gone to
beg believe me, kind benefactor He is a neigh
boris dog that my children are very fond of, and
when he heard them crying for bread he seemed
like to grow frantic, and caught up basket that
ne knows l fetch food in and ran off we didn't
know where, till he came back with what
must believe, came in answer to prayer So
grateful for the note; shouldn't have liked to
VaAo Iue enln6s without IL. The Lord reward
you, and grant you as happy New Year as
your gift has made me to day. Please believe
that only send the basket again to make sure
OF this note going safe by Bocco.
Your humble, grateful, SARAH AVIS"
II believe you" cried Seth, "but
please also believe me, that am not 90
ing to send your basket back empty.
Here Bocco, Boccol"
On hearing himself called by name the
dog become excited with pleasure, crouch
ing and springing by turns as Mr.. Martin
caressed it.
" So you couldn't bear to hear the chill
dren cry for hunger, could you, you old
beauty" said Mary, as the animal placed |
its feet on her shoulders in order to salute |
her face. You are good fellow and
shall have sup yourself-No, no eat
1T yourself I'll look after the basket"
she added with a laugh, as Bocco began
to pack his morsel again; and to her
great delight, the generous minded dog
seemed to comprehend and devoured his
dinner with avidity.
To Mary's surprise, when the basket
was once more filed with substantial
food, Seth took possession of it saying:
" Now then, Bocco, since l have the
advantage Of knowing your name, you
will have to follow me, or l you: for I
mean to carry this SO YOU 90 on-eitber