Unlike most dogs, this poodle liked cats. He had intelligence enough to perceive that cats had their uses, and that it was much better to use them than to waste them recklessly by killing them. In the family where he lived there were at one time two large cats. Now the poodle was not allowed to wear any wool except on his head, fore-quarters, tail, and legs, and the consequence was that in the winter he suffered from the cold. He therefore made friends with the cats by giving them scraps of his dinner, and so induced them to come and lie down by him when he wanted a nap. With one cat on each side of him he was quite warm and comfortable, and when the cats showed signs of wakefulness he would put them to sleep by licking their fur with his rough tongue.
The two cats finally died or ran away, and a small kitten took their place. The dog did not think it worth while to waste bones on the kitten, as she was a weak, foolish little beast, who fancied that she must do whatever the poodle wanted. When he felt sleepy, he would go into the kitchen and find his kitten. Picking her up in his mouth, he would walk slowly through the house until he found a nice sunny spot on a soft carpet, when he would lie down, placing the kitten close to him. If any one called him while he was walking about with the kitten in his mouth, he would throw her away with a toss of his head, never caring where she might land. This rough treatment, together with the fact that he would sometimes pick the kitten up by the tail or the head, and carry her for several minutes in a most trying position, proved too much for the meek little animal's constitution, and one day, to his great disappointment, the dog found her dead, and so cold that she was no longer of the slightest use to him.
It is a great pity that other dogs have not discovered that cats can be put to good use if dogs only take a little pains to win their friendship and develop their useful qualities. But dogs are too often reckless and thoughtless, and prefer to waste valuable cats in order to enjoy for a few moments the pleasures of the chase.
AN EVENING AMUSEMENT.
DROPPING MELTED LEAD.
From far-away Russia we may learn of a pretty custom which Florence and Fanny might propose some evening when the cousins and school-mates have gathered for an hour or two of fun. It forms one of the traditional amusements of the New-Year festival, but you might try it at any period of the year.
Pin a large white sheet against the wall. Have ready a basin of cold water, and over the fire melt a quantity of lead. Let some one drop this liquid lead by spoonfuls into the water. It of course cools quickly, and hardens into shape. Hold it up, and observe the shadow it casts on the sheet. If this is like a boat, or a sleigh, or a horse and phaeton, it is a sign that somebody in the company will soon start on a journey. Should it assume the shape of a blossoming bough, it betokens the speedy convalescence of a friend who is ill; if it resembles a dove, you may be sure that Albert and Elsie, who have quarrelled, will soon be reconciled. In short, by the aid of a vivid imagination, you may fancy that the lead tells you almost anything you wish to hear.
