The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-02-07
A NEWSPAPER FABLE.

The following communication was
written and sent in by one Of. the Wor-
thington mothers whom we have not
seen for weeks and who is evidently An
attentive reader of the Worthington
papers. It is her own in every jot and
title and we have not changed Il word
in it. It is al excellent fable and will
be relished by our readers:
THE MAsrIFF AND THE PUP.
Once upon time there lived u farm
er's family who had III their possession
noble watch dog. He was faithful
and honest, always watching Eight and
day in the interest of the farmer. If
danger menaced either the growing
crop, the grazing herd. or the sleeping
family, the faithful watci, dog. by deep
voiced warning. aroused the farmer in
time to ward off serious danger. Some-
times the gid'ly lneii,bers Of the family
complained that ne was u hurrid cross
brute, but rs it generally appeared that
he had simply interfere.l to keep them
from some laWltSS act, such as rObhiny
hen rOosts, stOhing windows, flinginx
sDOw.b balls and bad language at the
passers-by. and as he never ut but sim.
ply barkett, the older and wiser heads
simply smiled and said: 1T is better
that we have something to restrain
these children, else they will take adj
vantage Of our busy hours to do
mischief" Bat at last some of the
callOW youth grew tired Of this restraint
ana agreed thus among themselves:
1--WE will get another dog, q young and
frisky pup, who by his playful gamboIs
will am,lse us all, and also annoy the
old watch dog 80 that no will u. glad
to leave us.'' They soon found just
what they wanted, \ small terrier pup.
whose only virtue seemed to be shrill
ye:png voice, that he, 1T least, never
tired Of hearing. So with great clang-
ing of cymba's and beating of drums lie
was introduced into the once quiet
household. At first the family only
smiled at him and wondered how soon
lie would tire of his foolishness; while
the noble watch dog simply looked at
him. and then ut the farmer will, wOn-
dering eye. which seemed to say, ''what
breed Of pups does he represent?" But
it soon became apparent to all that this
pups sole ambition was to annoy every
thing and everybody he came in contact
"sV"s ~ t1SO AOl luCA . "BlCS p1Jyluk Ills
puppyish weakness, fed him on soft
toast and milk. he must quarrel for.
so0th because the farmer gave the
faithful watch dog bone. All work,
amusement, study. even the sacred
private domestic affairs of the family,
were constantly interrupted by tile
whining. swapping and snarling of this
alien pup VIII" could neither enjoy
LOT S,0So Al fl,ic
time the faithful watch dog attended
to his duties. paying no attention IT,
the swapping Of this cur ut his heels.
except occasionally looking at him with
\ benevolent sInile that plainly said.
''ie is very young" But ut last the
farmer grew tired and said tO his wife.
III must have this thing stopped. All
the neighbOrs are complaining of this
crase)ess yelpi"g and whining. 1 shall
speak to the watch dog, aud if he CAN
not quiet this cur, l shall have to kill
him." '' Do 50. "replied the good wife,
''as I find he is completely demoralizing
our children. They find in him q boon
companion in all mischief and low lived
deviltry, and with him for a playmate
il! lind they grow noisier and ruder every
day." So the farmer spoke to the
watch dog letting him know that he
must find means to stop this NOISE
which made both day and night hideous.
Soon after the pup broke loose again
worse than ever, and the watch dog
simply placed his paw on him and said
with 4 warning Rrowl. I'D advise you
to keep qniet.' But the yelping grew
louder and more frantic until at last
the faithful watch dog, urged by the
voice Of the sohole .tanily-for by this
time the o,oners of the pup were dis
gnstel to"-to keep him quiet
opened his ample jaws, and with u loot
in his honest eye that said plainly, II
hate tO. its M awful dose, but I must
settle him. !" swallowed him. bark. yelp
whine, skin and I'LL. The family there
after lived many years ~ peace ant
comfort. without u jar or 1iscord. Th'
only one who ever regretted the sad fat
at the .'purp" was the good old watci
dog. who for long time afterwar,
seemed to have something disa9reeabl
on his stomach, Esor.