Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-01-21
THE CONSCIENCE OF A DOG.

He Knew II Was Wrong TO Destroy Things,
But Didn't Know 1t Was Wrong to
Steal.
Il don't see how you can talk about
n dogs conscience, said the Small Boy.
"A conscience is what we feel sorry or
glad for our actions with. II reproaches
us when we are wicked and makes US
feel happy if we are good. If we listen
to it, it tells US when what we are going
TO do is right or wrong
That was very wise definition of a
conscience for a small boy.
And doesn't a dogs conscience do
those thiugs?" asked the Big Woman.
Doesn't a dog look ashamed when he
has disobeyed you, and wag his tail
when he has done something praise
worthy? Doesn't he stink off to do
what is forbidden, because he knows he
is going to do something wrong? Doesn't
he sometimes act as if he repented, and
wanted TO atone for n sin?'
"Yes, Dash does all those things"
said the Small Boy, thoughtfully.
Occasionally dogs conscience acts
in funny way" continued the Big
Woman. Il heard lately of a little dog
which was fond of chewing his masters
clothes-broom. He was punished for it
several times, but kept up his naughti-
ness whenever he wasn't observed. At
last he reduced the broom to a stump.
Then they took the stump and gave
him severe beating with it. Being
much mortified, he ran off. and did not
come home all day, The next day he
walked in with brand-new clothes
broom, which he laid at his masters
feet He wagged his tail, jumped
about joyful,y and looked as proud as
If he said, plainly; Here's your clothes
broom. l have made amends for my
mischief. Am not splendid fellow?"
/ suppose he thought he had gained the
right to chew up unlimited clothes
brooms."
The Small Boy laughed. THAT was
a smart little dog. :"
"Oh, yes. he was smart. But after
all, he was not as honest as he wanted
his master 10 think An honest little
dog would have tried to earn money to
buy his master new clothes-broom.
This dog simply went down to the viii
lage store, watched his chance and stole
one"
The Small Boy laughed harder than
ever.
"And them went on the Big Wom-
an" they had to whip him for the
theft That dogs conscience must
have been terribly mixed up. 1t never
could have been clear To his mind why
it was wicked to tear up broom, and
then wicteder to replace it."
GLOW could you teach a dog the diff
ference between right and wrong with
out teaching him each thing separate
Typ" asked the Small Boy.
you couldn't. You could not teach
a dog abstract right and wrong The
master trains the dogs conscience,
teaching him what he must do and what
he must not His masters orders and
wishes make the dogs conscience, and
a bright dog knows when he disregards
them. The dog / told you of had been
taught that it was wrong to tear up a
broom, but never thought that it was
wrong TO take a broom out of some one
else's house to replace it. No one
thought he would do such a thing =
Then dog hasn't got a conscience
of his own. after all?'
"Well, he has, and he hssn t. He has
good-sized conscience for an animal,
but it wouldn't be very big for you. +"
Il mean to try to teach Dash that he
must never steal anything, anywhere
or at any time, said the Small Boy
"Well, perhaps you can do it." re-
piled the Big Woman. -Harper's Young
People