d it was very
amusing to see them scurrying about to provide food and shelter for
their pets and hear their consultations with other boys. The end of it
all is, that I am perfectly satisfied with my experiment. My boys, in
caring for these dumb creatures, have become unselfish and thoughtful.
They had rather go to school without their own breakfast than have the
inmates of the stable go hungry. They are getting a humane education, a
heart education, added to the intellectual education of their schools.
Then it keeps them at home.

"I used to be worried with the lingering about street corners, the
dawdling around with other boys, and the idle, often worse than idle,
talk indulged in. Now they have something to do, they are men of
business. They are always hammering and pounding at boxes and partitions
out there in the stable, or cleaning up, and if they are sent out on an
errand, they do it and come right home. I don't mean to say that we have
deprived them of liberty. They have their days for base-ball, and
foot-ball, and excursions to the woods, but they have so much to do at
home, that they won't go away unless for a specific purpose."

While Mrs. Morris was talking, her visitor leaned forward in her chair,
and listened attentively. When she finished, Mrs. Montague said,
quietly, "Thank you, I am glad that you told me this. I shall get
Charlie a dog."

"I am glad to hear you say that," replied Mrs. Morris. "It will be a
good thing for your little boy. I should not wish my boys to be without
a good, faithful dog. A child can learn many a lesson from a dog. This
one," pointing to me, might be held up as an example to many a human
being. He is patient, quiet, and obedient. My husband says that he
reminds him of three words in the Bible--'through much tribulation.'"

"Why does he say that?" asked Mrs. Montague, curiously.

"Because he came to us from a very unhappy home." And Mrs. Morris went
on to tell her friend what she knew of my early days.

When she stopped, Mrs. Montague's face was shocked and pained. "How
dreadful to think that there are such creatures as that man Jenkins in
the world. And you say that he has a wife and children. Mrs. Morris,
tell me plainly, are there many such unhappy homes in Fairport?"

Mrs. Morris hesitated for a minute, then she said, earnestly: "My dear
friend, if you could see all the wickedness, and cruelty, and vileness,
that is practised in this little town of ours in one night,