d to him."

Ida was a little disappointed, for we always love anything we have saved
from death, but she said nothing, and you will see in the end how her
goodness was rewarded. The next morning, Ida sat at the door of the
cottage, studying her lesson, while her new pet, little Carlo (as she
had named the dog) played at her feet. A pleasant looking young lad, who
was walking slowly down the road, switching the tall grass as he came,
stopped to look at the pretty picture. His name was Eugene Morris, and
he was the son of a rich gentleman, who lived near by. "Good morning,
Ida," he said, with a bow and a smile, "is that pretty little dog
yours?" "Yes, sir," said Ida, blushing a little; "but Mamma says I must
give him away, because we cannot afford to keep him." Ida then told the
story of the dog, and how she had saved him from the hands of the
thoughtless boys; and finished by saying that she was only keeping him,
until she could find some kind person who would take good care of him.
Eugene looked much pleased at her artless story, and after a short
pause, said, "Well, pretty Ida, I do not ask you to _give_ him to me,
but if you will _sell_ him, I will take him with pleasure. Here are five
dollars; will that pay for Carlo?" "We do not want any _pay_ for good
Carlo," said Ida, patting the little creature tenderly, "except a
promise of kind treatment, and that I am sure he will get from you."
Eugene looked pleased at this, and, with a "good-bye, then, till
to-morrow," went slowly down the road, and was soon out of sight. The
next morning, Eugene came, and took Carlo away, leaving five dollars
with Mrs. Mason, which he compelled her to take, for he knew she was
poor, and a widow. Ida cried a little when Carlo whined for her, but she
knew that he would be in good hands and soon dried her tears.

[Illustration: Ida Saving Carlo.]

One morning, about two years after Carlo had gone with his new master,
Ida was standing upon the same bridge, looking at some fish which darted
about in the water as if at play. At last they went further under the
bridge; and Ida, leaning over, a little too far, in her eagerness to see
them, lost her balance, and fell over the low rail into the creek,
which, at that point, was deep enough to drown her! She had but just
time to give one loud cry of fright, as she sunk beneath the cruel
water. In a moment, she rose to the top, but only to sink again. Poor
Ida! is there no one to help her? Yes, the go