Year: 1873

L


away. IF he had lain there all that
stormy night, | think by morning ne
would have been safe in the little
lower heaven which ! am sure awaits
the faithful, brave and good among
animals, when their long and often
uDackuowledged service is over in
this world.


That mute reproach went to my
heart, for now it seemed as if this
small charity had been sent to me,
especially, and hat had neglected
it till it was nearly too late. Huckle-
berry seemed to feel as if it was no
use to appeal to human kindness any
more, for he made no sign of recogni-
ton, and lay quite still, as if wait
ing till his dumb prayer for help was
heard and answered by Hin who
sees the sparrows fall.


"Up the steps l went, and, putting
down my parcels, patted the head
that seemed almost too tired to be
lifted up. and. with remorseful ten
derness, I said:


my poor dear, come home with
mo. | truly mean it now. Forgive
me and let me show you that in
charitable Boston not even dog
need starve!'


He didn't believe me. He was
tired of false hopes, worn out with
following people home to find the
doors shut in bis face, and seemed
to have made up his mind to die.


| wondered as | watched him if he
had ever seen the door open, and
remembering the light, the warmth,
the music, and the quiet figures NOV
ing in and out, had thought it was
better world, and so, every other
hope failed; came back to wait for
chance to creep in and lie humbly in
some corner, feeling safe and happy.


shall never know, for | had not
time to ask about it, and he was too
tired to talk. Feeling that my duty
was very plainly to give poor doggie
lift, coaIed him home with great
difficulty, and he slowly followed,
looking so incredulous and amazed.
that l felt bound to redeem the char
acter of the human race in his eyes.


Once iu my room, with plate Of
cold meat before him, and a warm
rug placed at his disposal, Huckle-
berry gave in, believed, rejoiced, and
was so grateful that he stopped now
and then, even when boiling lumps
of cold steak, 10 look at me and wag
his tail with whine of thanks.


Dear thing! how dirty, lean and
ugly he was! with one lame foot, q
torn ear, and a bit Of old rope round
his neck where the collar should have
been. Never mind, 1 loved him, and
went on petting him with reckless
disregard of consequences and fleas.
had no more idea what should do
with him than if he had been an ele
phant, but remembering the blessed
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, l felt that l could fall
back on them when all other hopes
failed.


So, while Huckleberry lay on the
rug, roasting first one side and then
the other, with his nose on bone,
just to make him feel sure it wasn't
all dream, | sat staring at hem and
planning future for him such as few
dogs enjoy. He seemed to feel this
for he gurgled and grunted in his
sleep, woke up now and then with
a start, and stared back at me with
eyes full of dOggish loyalty as he
whacked the floor with his grateful
tail.


"One ofo fellows shall take him?'
[ decided, and, having picked out
the most tender hearted boy among
nv large and choice selection, wrote
to this victim an alluring epistle,
offering him lovely carriage dog
whom [ had been so fortunate as TO
find. Would he like to have the first
look at him, and become his owner
free of cost?


Thi. being finished and sent to the
post. I ordered big tub of hot water
to be ready enrly in the morning for
my dogs bath, and heartily wished
| could fatten him up over night, as
at present he was not an ivlting
ami nal.


Then I retired to my bed, leaving
lIuckleberry sleep on the rug. Bless
nv heart, how he did ,nore, and when
a very loud one yoke him up he
seemed to feel that it was necessary
for him to come and put his cold
nose on my face, or paw at the pill
low, till l few up, thinking it was
robbers. Then he wonld apologize in
the most contrite manner, sud ex-
plain that he only came to see if |
was all right, and to explain his
thanks all over again.


After which be returned to his rug
with sigh of satisfa ciion, and fell
asleep much quicker than | could.


10 the moruing be was escorted
to the shed for his bath. TO the great
amusement Of the sersonts. and the
fierce Indignation Of the cats. All
FIVE smelled, spit and glared from the
various elevated refugees to which
they had flown on his enteranc'; and
one black kit made darts at him,
looking like a little demon in her
wrath.


Huekleberry behaved like a dog
OF good manners and temper; and,
after vainly trying to appease the
irate pussies, took no notice OF them,
being absorbed in bis own Affections.


He did not like the bath, but bore
it like hero, and let me scrub him