THE USEFUL DOG.
One day, as Tom Price was on his way to school, with his bag of books at his back, he stood still to look at a fine large dog which lay in the sun before the door of a poor man’s house.
“Take care how you go near that fierce dog,” said the gruff voice of a man who passed by just then.
“I do not think he will hurt me,”said Tom, “if I do no harm: see, he lets me pat his head.”
The dog got up, and seemed to like Tom to stroke him; but as soon as he saw the man, he gave a low growl, and looked quite fierce.
“There, you see I told you right,” said the man, as he made haste away. Just then the master of the dog came out, and sat on a bench by the door.
“If you please,” said Tom, “what makes the dog growl at that man who went by, while he seems so fond of me?”
“I will tell you,” said he; “he knows that that is a bad man; for one day he got over my hedge, and stole some fruit; but the dog caught him, and would not let him go till I went out to him.”
“What a good guard he must be!” said Tom.
“Yes,” said the man, “and I can tell you more than that; for one day a little girl who was at play near the millstream, fell in, and might have been drowned, had not I and my dog been near and heard her screams.”
“Did the dog jump in?” said Tom.
“Yes; and he swam down the stream after her, and brought her safe to land. She was soon quite well; and the dog and she are now such great friends, it is quite droll to see them.”
“I must run away now,” said Tom, “for it is my school-time. When I am a man I hope I shall have such a dog of my own.”