CHAPTER IV.
THE FAITHFUL DOGS.
“O, cousin Minnie,” cried Ida, “here are some beautiful stories. Let me read them to you.”
“An English terrier was brought up in a family where there was a little girl, with whom he was a great favorite. For hours together they amused each other, the dog readily yielding obedience to every wish of his little friend. One day, however, when they were at play in the nursery, the mother was startled by a quick snarl from the terrier, expressive of temper and violence.
“Alarmed for her child, she rushed to the dog and drove him angrily away; but after the closest examination, she could find no trace of injury inflicted on the little girl, and she soon, forgot both the outcry and alarm.
“Meantime poor Fido had not ventured from the corner where he had been driven in disgrace, but remained for a long time pensive and quiet in his retreat. At last, when his little playmate began to look round for him, he came slowly forward to the mother of his companion, and sitting directly before her, with a touch of his paw solicited her attention.
“‘What is it, Fido?’ she asked.
“He rose gently, and placed something on the carpet at her feet.
“It was a pin, which she lifted up and examined, every motion closely watched by the dog. His pleading eye was too obvious to be misunderstood, and by questioning the child, the whole was soon explained. The pin had come in her way, and, in the fun of childhood, she had tried to make a pin-cushion of Fido’s nose. The snarl was caused by pain, and the snap following removed the dangerous weapon from unsafe hands.
“The lady patted the dog, calling him ‘good Fido,’ when he at once turned to his favorite, to assure her of his forgiveness, and to ask that they might be friends again. And so they were ever after.”
“That is a very good story,” said Minnie, smiling. “I wish you would read another one as good.”