HUMAN NATURE.
Here, reader, is a little picture of one kind of "human nature," that, while it will make you laugh, conveys at the same time a lesson not unworthy of heed. The story is of a gentleman traveling through Canada in the winter of 1839, who, after a long day's ride, stopped at a roadside inn called the "Lion Tavern," where the contents of the stage coach, numbering some nine persons, soon gathered round the cheerful fire.
Among the occupants of the room was an ill-looking cur, who had shown its wit by taking up its quarters in so comfortable an apartment. After a few minutes the landlord entered, and observing the dog, remarked:
"Fine dog, that! is he yours, Sir?" appealing to one of the passengers.
"No, Sir."
"Beautiful dog! yours, Sir?" addressing himself to a second.
"No!" was the blunt reply.
"Come here, Pup! Perhaps he is yours, Sir?"
"No!" was again the reply.
"Very sagacious animal! Belongs to you, I suppose, Sir?"
"No, he doesn't!"
"Then he is yours, and you have a treasure in him, Sir?" at the same time throwing the animal a cracker.
"No, Sir, he is not!"
"Oh!" (with a smile) "he belongs to you, as a matter of course, then?" addressing the last passenger.
"Me! I wouldn't have him as a gift!"
"Then, you dirty, mean, contemptible whelp, get out!" And with that the host gave him such a kick as sent him howling into the street, amidst the roars of the company.
There was one honest dog in that company, but the two-legged specimen was a little "too sweet to be wholesome."