The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-11
Our ynmng 3eople.
CRUELTY TO PET S.
BY GEORGE E. WALSH.


violently that Touser gave quick bark
of pain.
"Then mind me! Go straight ahead!
The whip was suspended directly over
the dogs head in threatening manner.
and Touser, in his endeavors to watch it,
turned to the right and wheeled round in
a circle. The lash fell almost as quick
and called forth another growl from the
poor dog.
"Why don't you mind me, Touser?
Come here now, or 1 shall whip you hard,
Do you understand?
No, Touser did not understand; but he
stood quite still and looked appealingly
up at Robbie with his great wistful eyes,
and said as well as he could, Please do
not whip me-"
But Robbie was in no mood to take the
hint, and be took Touser's silence for
obstinacy, and with flashing eyes he be-
gan to whip the dog severely. He had
been playing horse with Touser, and he
had a rope securely fastened to his COL
lar, SO that he could not run away and
escape the cruel lashing. But he could
bark, and he set up such howl that
Robbie soon stopped in fright.
"Well, well, what's my little man doing
now?"
1t was the voice OF Ben, the hired man,
who had hurried up to find out the cause
of the disturbance.
cts Touser," cried Robbie with flush
ed cheeks. He won't mind me, and I've
been whipping him."
"Why, what's the matter with him?
He's afraid of your whip. Now let me
drive him and show you how to manage
him. Here, Touser, old boy, come here"
The hired man took the rope from Rob-
bie's hand, and after patting the dog and
getting him in good humor again, he
showed him the way he wanted him to
go. Once or twice Touser made a mis-
take and turned off in the wrong direc-
ton; but he was not whipped this time,
only patted and set right again. In a
little while he was so well trained that
even Robbie could drive him. The whip
was not used again, and Touser soon
enjoyed the sport as well as his young
driver.
snow, my little man." said Robbie's
assistant as he handed the reins to the
boy before returning to his work, "you
must learn never to be cruel to your dog,
or any other animal. You can't get them
to love you or mind you, if you are going
to injure them for every trihing thing. 1
was once little boy like you"
Robbie looked up at his big form, as if
he doubted the truth of this statement.
He was so big and strong. The man
smiled at his wondering look and con-
tinued:
"Yes, was just as small as you and
loved to play horse with my dog, too. But
L was always tormenting poor Beppo-
that was his name = and making his life
miserable. I loved him just as much as
you love Touser, and never thought for an
instant that I was really cruel to him.
II strange boy had touched him with
a whip should have made great time
about it; probably would have attempted
to whip him. But when hit Beppo with
a switch, that was another thing. 1
thought it was all right"
"But one day he paid me back for all
my cruel punishments, and made me
treat him kindly ever afterward. One
day we were in the woods together, play
ing with each other as usual. We were
always with one another, and very often
Beppo would lead me home, when lost
my way. He knew the woods and coun-
try better than did, and always knew
that l was safe when in his company.
But on this afternoon We strayed further
than ever into the deep woods, until we
came to small brook, which flowed
through the thick swamp. There lots of
pretty lilies and other kinds Of flowers
were growing in the water short dis
lance from the bank, and began to pick
them to take home to my little sister.
After had picked all that could reach
I took seat under one of the large trees
and began to play with Beppo. / leased
him for some time by pulling his ears and
hitting him with small switch. When
he would show signs of anger, l would
take him in my arms and hug him, and
like good dog he would forgive me and
begin to lick my face. Then we we're
friends again, and would begin our play
anew.
FINALLY strange idea came into my
little head, and l determined to make
Beppo jump into the brook and swim
The water was cold, for it had made my
fingers ache when picked the lilies; but
never thought of that when l called
Beppo and told him to jump in. He
wagged his tail at me, when l spoke, as
much as to say that was Only joking
with him, and did not want him to gel
wet and cold. But when he found that
was in earnest, he looked up pleadingly
at me and asked to be excused. Thai
made me angry, and L threw a stick intC
the water and told him to fetch it." HI
ran along the bank, and cried just al
Touser has been crying to you. But
didn't listen to him. caught him b,
the collar, and after Furnishing hin
severely with whip, 1 pushed him int
the brook. and laughed To sac him SMUT