While she made herself useful in her department, I was not idle in mine; and I think I may safely say that no house could boast of a more faithful and vigilant guardian. It was difficult to determine which of us was most useful to our master; Puss in preserving his property from "rats and mice and such small deer," or I, in keeping off larger depredators. Our joint business was to take care of the house, and thorough care we took, and thoroughly were our services appreciated and rewarded. Welcome guests on kitchen hearthstone or on drawing-room rug, treated as pets by the servants, as friends by our master, and agreeable company by his acquaintances, no animals have ever passed a happier life. Lily has often been to see us; and next to the pleasure of being once more caressed by her own hand, was that of hearing our story told to her husband by her own lips, and our friendship mentioned with approbation to her little son.
It may seem absurd to suppose that a human being can profit by the history of a dog; but I believe that no creature is too insignificant, and no event too trivial, to teach some lesson to those capable of learning it; and a moral to this little story may be found in the advantage of making the best of untoward circumstances, and of cultivating kindness and goodwill in place of prejudice and dislike. In short, to any, small or great, who have hitherto found or fancied their companions uncongenial, I would propose Puss and Captain as an example of a new and better method of
"LIVING LIKE CAT AND DOG."
THE END.
Savill and Edwards, Printers, Chandos-street.
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