“The other day a great bulldog got hold of him.  We tried almost everything to make the fierce dog let go, but it was impossible to separate them.  A man came out of a house with a pail of water, which he threw over the bulldog’s head.  The dog immediately let go and ran away.  “A sudden dash of cold water,” the man said, “will almost always break up a fight.”

“That is a good thing to remember,” said the boy’s uncle.  “It is your thoughtfulness that has made Chum such a fine dog.  You have not overfed him; you have given him plenty of fresh water and a comfortable home; you have been patient with him and willing to teach him.  Best of all, you have never deceived him or been cruel and unkind to him.  No one ought to have a pet unless he is willing to take some trouble to keep it well and happy.  See how Chum watches you when you talk!  He has doubtless learned to understand much of what you say.  He seems to think that he has a good master, and I think so, too.”

STORIES OF DOGS.

One of the great men of history was William, Prince of Orange.  He is to the little country of the Netherlands what George Washington is to us.  One night he was asleep in his tent, and a small spaniel was lying on his bed.  The guards, faithless to their trust, were sleeping.  Suddenly the dog sprang up, barking wildly.  A small band of the enemy was approaching, unheard by any of the men.  There was just time for the Prince to escape, before the Spanish soldiers were in his tent.  To the end of his life, William of Orange kept a spaniel of the same race in his room, and in the statues of the Prince a little dog is frequently seen lying at his feet.

A dog was once left in the room alone with a baby who was learning to creep.  On the hearth an open fire was smouldering.  Suddenly there was a bright little flicker of flame and the logs blazed up once more.  Pleased with the sight, the baby began to creep towards the fire as fast as he could go.  The dog saw the danger at once and seized the baby’s dress tightly between his teeth.  Baby pulled and pulled, but the wise old dog held the tiny skirts firmly.  Then the baby cried and screamed, until his nurse came to see what could be the matter.  The dog wagged his tail and looked up as if to say:  “I’m glad you have come.  You ought not to leave a baby near a fire.  What would have happened if I had not been here, I should like to know?”

There is a well-known painting called “Saved,” which tells its own story.  A pet kitten has been chased by two lively little terriers, and the big, friendly dog has taken her into his care.  She is not afraid of the little dogs now.  They may bark as much as they like.  The big dog looks as if he were saying, “Run away, little dogs!  You may not mean to hurt Miss Puss, but you are very rude to frighten her so.  If you were as large and strong as I am, you would be ashamed to bark at a poor, helpless little kitten.  Come now; run away, and do not tease her any more.”