THE LITTLE DOG.
A FABLE.
The little Dog was comforted with this assurance; and on his master's ap|proach, ran to him, licked his feet, gamboled before him, and every now and then stopped, wagging his tail, and looking up to his master with expres|sions of the most humble and affec|tionate Page 121 attachment. The master observ|ed him. Ha! little Fido, said he, you are an honest, good-natured little fel|low!—and stooped down to pat his head. Poor Fido was ready to go out of his wits with joy.
Fido was now his master's constant companion in his walks, playing and skipping round him, and amusing him by a thousand sportive tricks. He took care, however, not to be troublesome by leaping on him with dirty paws, nor would he follow him into the parlour, unless invited. He also attempted to make himself useful by a number of lit|tle services. He would drive away the sparrows as they were stealing the chickens' meat; and would run and bark with the utmost fury at any strange pigs or other animals that offered to come into the yard. He kept the poultry, geese, and pigs from straying beyond their bounds, and particu|larly from doing mischief in the gar|den. Page 122 He was always ready to alarm Towzer if there was any suspicious noise about the house, day or night. If his master pulled off his coat in the field to help his workmen, as he would sometimes do, Fido always sat by it, and would not suffer either man or beast to touch it. By this means he came to be considered as a very trusty protector of his master's property.
His master was once confined to his bed with a dangerous illness. Fido planted himself at the chamber door, and could not be persuaded to leave it, even to take food; and as soon as his master was so far recovered as to sit up, Fido, being admitted into the room, ran up to him with such marks of ex|cessive joy and affection, as would have melted any heart to behold. This cir|cumstance wonderfully endeared him to his master; and some time after he had an opportunity of doing him a very im|portant service. One hot day after din|ner, Page 123 his master was sleeping in a sum|mer-house, with Fido by his side. The building was old and crazy; and the Dog, who was faithfully watching his master, perceived the walls shake, and pieces of mortar fall from the ceiling. He comprehended the danger, and be|gan barking to awake his master; and this not sufficing, he jumped up, and gently bit his finger. The master, upon this, started up, and had just time to get out of the door before the whole building fell down. Fido, who was behind, got hurt by some rubbish which fell upon him; on which his master had him taken care of with the utmost ten|derness, and ever after acknowledged his obligation to this little animal as the preserver of his life. Thus his love and fidelity had their full reward.
Moral. The poorest man may repay his obligations to the richest and great|est by faithful and affectionate service— Page 124 the meanest creature may obtain the fa|vour and regard of the Creator himself, by humble gratitude, and stedfast obe|dience.
