Year: 1868

On the Place de la Concorde, in Paris,
stood, a number Of years ago, blind man,
and at his feet sat white woolly poodle dog,
which held little basket containing match
boxes in its mouth. These the blind man Of
fered for sale. The poor fellow looked sad
and wretched. The dog grayely eyed the
passers-by, as if he wanted to say, Buy
something from my blind MASTER" Many
from compassion, threw small coins in his lit
tie basket. Every one knew the brave blind
man Of the Place de la Concorde and his
faithful dog Mouton. At nightfall Mouton
led his master home by string attached to
his neck, apd every morning cautiously brought
him to his place. The dog was the poor old
mans faithful companion by day midnight he
was his only friend in the world. He under
stood his voice, replied to his caresses divd-
ed with him his crust of bread. sat watching
'at his bed, aud Frightened the life of the old
man with beam Of happiness. The blind
man felt that one being loved him faithfully.
If any one asked how he had obtained his
faithful dog, he willingly, and with evident
emotion, told Moutons story.


" 1t is now six years. he said. My
eye-sight was not entirely gone, when, on
cold wintry evening, whilst ] was standing
here this dog orawled under the folds of my
mantle and fell asleep. | stroked his head
he licked my hands in return, and compass
siouately | covered him with my mantle
But, as night came on, and supposed he had
a master, awoke him and bade him 20 home.
He withdrew indeed, but the next morning
came and confdngly took his place at my
feet | chased him away, and gave him moth
ing to eat, because feared that his master
might seek him but the following day he
was there again, ana now | could resist no
longer, | divided with him my bread but
TO make him understand the sad future that
awaited him, | tied cord around his neck
and led him to my dwelling. Before the door
of the house | set him free and chased
him away with stick. 1t panied me, and
the whole night l thought of the dog 1t
was as if had repulsed a friend that the
good God had sent me- But the next morn
ing as | opened the door, Mouton, joyfully
whining, sprang toward me. He must have
lain in the street the entire night and since
then he mas remained with me.


" But after a year" continued the old
man, =" committed sad sin against the
dog, for which | can never entirely forgive
myself. a man came to me who wanted to
buy Mouton. The poor animal was to be
trained to perform tricks, play domiuoes, and
the like He looked so clever understood
every wink of mine and every word so exact
ly, that the man thought there could not be a
more teachable dog. He placed fourteen
dollars in my hands. Oh my friends, | am
poor. For many, many years had not a
dollar of my own. The desire for money
prevailed over my love for the faithful ami
NAL. God will pardon me that | gave away
Mouton for price, yes, certainly lie will par
don me, for have already been punished
severely enough. When the dog was no long
er with ne, grieved for him as for brother
no longer heard the voice that had encour-
aged me. No one cared for me, none show
ed me faithfulness and love. One day fell
over a stone, for Mouton no longer guided
my steps | hurt my knee severely, and l
was obliged to lie for two months on my mis-
erable couch suffering excruciating pain
and when at last | was able to get up, not
only the fourteen dollars had been expended
during my sickness, but | was in debt to ny
landlord and my baker. This is the pun
ishment for my ungratefulness, said my con-
science | returned to my old place, and at
last hot tears of repentance broke my rigid
despair, and in silent prayer | sought
Gods forgiveness for my fault.


whilst i was still silently mourning a
dog one day suddenly sprang upon me, whose
impetuous JOY almost threw me on the ground.
1t was Mouton Who can describe my joyl
Weeping, took him in my arms covered
him with tears and kisses, called him the
most tender names, and was beside myself
with delight His new master, as | was af-
terward Informed, had kicked him out of
doors because he would not learn anything,
and was always lying sad and still. The peo-
pie who had gathered round us took part in
our Joy they gave us large aims, and |
could, to my great pleasure, offer my poor
Mouton a good meal. He was as much ema-
ciated by grief as | was. Since that time
he has never left my side, and shall never do
SO, even if were offered thousand dollars
for him." n


Thus said the blind man, and pressed the
littlepoodle to his heart who was caressed
by all who heard the story.


Some time afterward, however, the blind
mans seat on the Place de la Concorde was
surrounded by dense crowd. Mouton lay
dying on the ground. Some wicked person
had thrown down piece Of poisoned meat.
He had eaten it and fallen down in conyul-