Walter Scott tells of a dog which saved his master from being burned alive. The dog of Montargis vainly defended his master against the enemy, but successfully led to the discovery of the murderer. A pet spaniel saved the life of William the Silent by scratching his face, when asleep. A body of Alva’s Spanish troops surprised Dutch William’s camp, and though his guards perished, he effected his escape by mounting a horse. In the excavation of the buried city of Herculaneum, the skeleton of a dog was found stretched over that of a boy twelve years of age, which he endeavored to save from death by suffocation or fire. All that remained to tell the story of its fidelity was a collar with an inscription that told how on three occasions it had saved the life of its master, once from the sea, once from robbers, and once from wolves.

Of the horse many beautiful and pathetic stories are related. It is said they never forget a road once traveled, and are very loving in their attachment. During the Peninsular war a trumpeter of French cavalry was killed. Many days after the engagement, his body was found, guarded by his faithful charger, which had stayed by its dead master, protecting his body. When found, the poor horse was in a sad condition; so great was its grief, that even after the trumpeter had been buried it required great persuasion to be prevailed upon to eat.

Some animals can take their part, as many a boy, through lacerated fingers and severe wounds and bruises, knows. But there are many which cannot, yet every one is entitled to and appreciates kindness. “There is,” as Ruskin said, “a flash of strange light through which their life looks out and up to our great mystery of command over them, and claiming the fellowship of the creature, if not of the soul.”

“I WAS THAT BOY.”

Boys should be kind to one another. Unkind acts are lasting as indelible ink; they are like letters written in lemon-juice, which become legible when brought before the fire; they stir the heart, awaken memory, and distress the soul. A prominent lawyer who became attorney general of Missouri relates that while in Governor Steward’s office, a convict was brought in from the penitentiary to receive a pardon at the Governor’s hands. The convict was a steamboat man, with the rough manners of his class. Looking at him the Governor became greatly affected. Then he signed the document which restored the man’s liberty, but before handing it over said, “You will commit some crime, I fear, and will soon be back in prison.” The man protested that such a thing should never again happen. “You will go back to the river and be a mate again, I suppose?” asked the Governor. The man said that was his intention. “Well, I want you to pledge me your word that when you are mate again you will never take a billet of wood, and drive a poor sick boy out of his bunk to help load your boat on a stormy night.” The man promised that he never would, and in surprise asked the Governor why he desired such a pledge. “Because,” answered he, “some day that boy may become Governor, and you may want him to pardon you for some crime. One stormy black night, many years ago you stopped your boat on the Mississippi to take on a load of wood. There was a boy on board working his passage from New Orleans to St. Louis, but he became sick and was lying in his bunk. You had enough men to do the work, but you went to that sick boy, drove him to the deck with blows and curses, and kept him toiling like a slave till the load was complete. I was that boy. Here is your pardon. Never again be guilty of so brutal an act.” The prisoner took the pardon, covered his face and went out, ashamed of his conduct, and greatly affected by the charity of one who showed mercy when he could have had revenge.

“YOU CALLED ME BROTHER.”

My boy, be kind. “If a man would have friends, he must show himself friendly.” “A little thought and a little kindness,” said Ruskin, “are often worth more than a great deal of money.” Of Cornelius Vanderbilt it was said, “He was a man of the utmost kindliness, who treated all, of whatever station, with courtesy, and age with deference.” Julian Ralph writing of General Wade Hampton said, “He was a gentleman; and the qualities of mercy, kindliness and protection to the lowly were strong in his blood.” It is kindness in the heart, on the lips and at the finger-tips, which wins the affection not only of beasts and birds, but also of men, women and children.

Be kind in voice. No member has more power of good or evil. A single word may sting like an adder, or soothe like oil. It can thrill to action, drive to madness, or lead to despair. It can cut the heart like sorrow, or cheer like sunshine. Look out for your words. Take care of the tones. It is not always so much what one says as the manner in which it is said. Elihu Burritt wisely remarked, “There is no one thing that love so much needs as a sweet voice, to tell what it means and feels. One must start in youth, and be on the watch night and day, at work and play to get and keep a voice that shall speak at all times the thoughts of a kind heart.”

During the famine in Russia when thousands were reduced to the verge of starvation, Count Tolstoi passed a beggar on the street corner. Stretching out his gaunt hands, the miserable creature asked for alms. Tolstoi felt in all his pockets for a coin to bestow upon him. He turned his pockets inside out, but to no purpose. His money had already been spent in charity and he had nothing. Taking the beggar’s hand in both of his, he said: “Do not be angry with me, brother, I have nothing with me.” The gaunt face lighted up, the man lifted his bloodshot eyes, his blue lips parted in a smile. “But you called me brother; that was a great gift,” he said. Yes, kind words, gentle words, sympathetic words are cheap. They cost nothing, but profit greatly. They are like oil to machinery. They disarm anger and are a tonic to the disheartened. Therefore

“Keep a watch on your words, my boy,