The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-04-03
What Cruelty to Animals Leads
To.
BIZ AUNT AUGUSTA.


and very badly. You had best step out
and see to him A neighbor who was
passing an open window where Mrs. Cray
sat sewing, said this.
Mrs. Gray looked up with most IN
pleasant expression of face, and made no
reply, until the neighbor was beyond
hearing. Then she growled, rather than
spoke, I do wish people would mind
their own business.
AS if it were not the business" yes
and the imperative duty of every one, to
prevent harm, and to do good whenever
there is opportunity, and especially in
the case of wrong to human beings, or
cruelty to helpless animals.
Then she rose, and going to the back
door, called sweetly to her son Monte,
my love, come to mother. She has got q
turn over for you Poor dear she said
mentally, he is so active, and has no
brother to play with him.
Monte flung down the cat he had been
tormenting and choking, which was now
forever out of the reach of tormentors
and leaping rudely up the back steps,
bumped forcibly against his mother,
shouting Where's yer turnover marm2
Hurry up and give me it. An 1 want
two.
I have only one, dear; grandma gave
it to me.
Vas, one little thing like that
don't know which is the meanest, you or
granny. There and the boy crowded
the whole turnover, at two bites, into
his wide mouth.
'Ill make you some more this forenoon
sonny, said Mrs. Cray.
Well, see that you make EN- sweeter,
a good deal sweeter than this one,' was
the young rulers command. Then
he ran out to seek for more mischief to do.
That afternoon an old aunt of Mrs
Cray's came to visit her and to spend
few days at her house.
1t is prayer-meeting night, aunt;
would you like to go?' said Mrs. Cray.
L think not, niece Iseldom go out OF
an evening. Am too blind and tired.
Susie, dear, am come to that time of
life when bed has more attraction for me
when darkness falls, than any other place
in this world.
Well, auntie, just as you say. And
l will stay home with you, il you desire
% no, my dear, you go by all means.
l will go to bed very soon after you
leave. Where is Monte? Does he go to
meeting with your
Not often, aunt; he don't like the con.
fnement, and do not like to force him,
lest cause him to take prejudice
against such things
To this the old lady made no reply;
L. L.. Al IA -
when beside her in prayer-meetings sat
two bright little ones, who never took
the least dislike to "such things.' Long
ago they had departed from the earth,
at peace with Him of whom they heard
In those meetings ss at home.
That is your room, aunt; you can open
the door now, and let it get well warmed.
And you can undress right here by the
fire. Why, Monte, what are you doing
in here ?
Nothing much, said the lad, almost
upsetting his mother in the rush he made
from the room, thence to the street door,
and away into the night.
Well, Pm sureP calculated the sur
prised old woman.
He is such an active boy, sdmiringly
remarked the mother.
But do you think he is safe, off 80
in the evening"
% yes, guess 30. He has no play
mate at home you know, 30 he needs some
change and diversion.
Auntie said nothing. You needn't
mind anything about him. I'll leave the
door unlocked, and you go to bed any
time you want to. I hope you will
sleep well, and feel real bright in the
morning.
Thank you, niece, hope shall.
Mrs. Cray went out, and soon "auntie,
after kneeling down before the fire to Of.
fer her evening prayer, prepared herself
for bed, and lay down in it.
But she scrambled out Of bed in hur-
ry and alarm. It was soaking wet, and
cold as ice, from the foot thigd Of the
way up.
The poor old LADY, feet and her night
clothes we're wet. She shiversd. What
should she do2 She spread open the bed,
took off her wet garments, which she
hung up to dry, dressed in her day