As soon as Ned and Sammy Smith saw what had happened, they hurried to the house and told Mr. Jones.  He ran all the way to the pond, picked up the little wet, cold boy, and carried him home as quickly as possible.

Jack was wet and cold too, but he ran around so fast that he soon grew warm, then he crawled under the kitchen stove, where he stopped until he was dry.  But Johnnie Jones had to go to bed, for several days, with a very bad cold.

He was sorry he had been disobedient, and asked Father please to excuse him that time.  Father said he would not punish him, but that he was sorry to think his little boy did not trust his father.

“I do, Father,” Johnnie Jones answered, “and after this I’ll obey you, instead of minding little boys.”

“Grown people generally know best,” Father said.

After that, of course, Mother, Father and Johnnie Jones loved good old Jack more than ever, and were glad they had kept him when he first came to them a puppy, hurt and hungry.

* * * * *

Stiggins

Johnnie Jones’s Aunt Jean owned a dog.  His name was Stiggins, just Stiggins, for dogs need only one name, instead of the two or three that people have.  Aunt Jean was accustomed to go to Lake Chautauqua every summer, far away from home.  Stiggins liked to go with her, and was always afraid that he might be left behind, as had happened, once or twice.  So, as soon as he saw Aunt Jean begin to make her preparations, he would spend all his time either following her about, or lying on her trunk.

Each time she started to pack she would first have to drive Stiggins into the yard.  If she turned away, just for a few minutes, there he would be again, lying in a tray upon her best dresses, or her prettiest hats.  Aunt Jean would scold and scold, but scolding was of no use.

At last, when the day came on which they were to begin their journey, and the trunks had been locked and sent away, Stiggins would run to the stable, jump into the carriage, and there he would stay until he and the family had reached the station.

But when it was time to board the train, Stiggins was most unhappy.  He was forced to ride in the baggage car, all alone, and Stiggins liked company.  He wished to ride in the sleeping car with Aunt Jean.  Of course he could not, because he was only a dog, which was something that Stiggins had never quite understood.  He would whimper, and run away, when the coachman attempted to lead him to his proper place, so usually, Aunt Jean had to take him, and to tie him, herself.

Stiggins disliked the long ride on the train and boat, but he was just the happiest dog in the world when at last he reached Chautauqua.  When once he was there he had many fine times, bathing in the Lake, going off on long walks and drives with the family, and playing with the dogs.