The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-29
Noble and Tricksy.
BY PANSY,

ANODAC ehu 4LlChSy'
BY PANsY.
Two dogs they were, and I will tell
you a true story concerning them
Tricksy belonged to little Robbie Par
ker, and was one of the incest dogs l ever
knew.
1t is pity he has such dishonor-
able name" the mother said. 81 don t
like tricky people"
40 mamma would Robbie say, "he
is only dog; but then I know he
wouldn't do any thing mean"
In the course of time, Robbies older
brother, Nelson, became the owner of the
wickedest looking little dog that ever
yelped.
What Nelson saw in the little wretch
to please him, it would be hard to say
and of all queer things, he was named
"Noblel"
If the names could have been turned
about, and "Tricksy" given to him,
think 1t would have suited every one but
Nelson.
He was a queer fellow, and certainly
had many tricks. Brave old Tricksy
took kindly to him, and used to frolic
with him in dignifed way, and whether
it was that being with the little scamp
so much he learned some of his ways or
not, do not know, but certain it is that
the funny thing [ am going to tell you
actually happened. There was nothing
that the little scamp named "Noble"
liked better than TO have race with old
" Tricksy" around the great trees on the
lawn. Yes, perhaps there was one thing
that he liked almost as well, and that
was to curl himself on certain cushion
that, before he came, had been the large
dogs special property.
So sure as the old dog left it for min
ute to do an errand, or to attend to any
OF his duties, up the little scamp would
lump and be in possession. Good old
" Tricksy stood it patiently good many
times, but at last one day he thought out
a way to manage the little new conner.
1t was just after hearty dinner, and
chilly day, and a coy nap on the warm
cushion, | suppose, looked inviting to
both dogs. The little dog was ahead, as
usual, and the old dog sat down by the
stove to think about it. At last he got
up, moved gravely toward the door lead
ing to the lawn, then turned around to
the little dog and said as plainly as dog
language would admit:
" Come on, then, if you want a race"
Down jumped the little dog in a per-
fectwfutter of delight, and wagged his
tail, and barked his short, sharp banks
that said, 90, good, good l'''and ran to
the door,
What did our grave old dog do but
turn around very quickly, spring to the
bench behind the stove, curl himself on
the cushion and go to sleep, leaving the
disappointed younger one to bear the
loss of his frolic and his cushion as best
he might.
He has earned his name" somebody
said, laughing 40, Tricksy, Tricksy
we can never say you ought to be called
Noble any more"
But what do you think Robbie did {?
Instead OF being delighted with the
sharpness Of his dear old dog he burst
into tears.
why, Robbie" mamma said, "what
is the matter?"
Was it wicked, mamma ?" Robbie
asked. Tricky didn't know any bet.
ISi NC 10 Ouly uOB-
OF course it was wicked" Nelson de-
clared.
Whether mamma wanted to comfort
Robbie, or whether she thought Nelson
needed the lesson, or whether it was
little of both reasons that made her
speak just then, will not stop to tell
you, but what she said was
" He may have been led astray by bad
example. / wonder if it can be possible
that he saw a boy take his slate and book
under his arm yesterday, and walk to-
ward the stairs, as if going to the library
to study, then dodge out at the side
door, hide his books under a rose-b bush,
and run off to play marbles with the
boys?"
Not word said Nelson, his cheeks
grew red, and he looked down and FUN