The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-01-13
A DOGS CONSCIENCE.

He Knew 1t Was Wrong to Destroy Things,
But Didn't Know 1t Was Wrong to
Steal.
81 don't see how you can talk about
a 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 Ii we listen
to it, it tells us when what we are going
to do is right or wrong"
That was very wise definition OF
conscience for small boy.
"And doesn't dogs conscience do
those things?" asked the Big Woman.
Doesn't 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 sin?'
"Yes, Dash does all those things"
said the Small Boy, thoughtfully.
Occasionally a dogs conscience acts
In funny way" continued the Big
Woman. II heard lately of 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 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 a brand-new clothes
broom, which he laid at his masters
feet. He wagged his tail, jumped
about ioyfully and looked as proud as
if he said, plainly: 'IIere'syour clothes
broom | have made amends for my
mischief Am l 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 TO 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 vii
:. lage store, watched his chance and stole
one"
The Small Boy laughed harder than
ever.
"And then" 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, ant
then wickeder to replace it."
SHOW could you teach a dog the diff
ference between right and wrol.g with
out teaching him each thing separate
ly?" asked the Small Boy.
"You couldn't You could not teacl
dog abstract right and wrong. The
master trains the dogs conscience
teaching him what he must do and wha
he must not. His masters orders ant
wishes make the dogs conscience, ant
bright dog knows when he Disregard
them The dog / told you of had beer
taught that it was wrong to tear up ;
broom, but never thought that it wa
wrong to take broom out of some ONT
else's house to replace it. No one
thought he would do such thing"
"Then dog hasn't got a conscienc,
of his own, after ALP"
"Well, he has, and he hasn't. He ha
a good-sized conscience for an animal
but it wouldn't be very big for you"
II mean to try to teach Dash that hi
must never steal anything, anywhere
or at any time" said the Small Boy.
swell, perhaps you can do it." re
piled the Big Woman.-llarper's YOUNG
| paODle