Madeline Leslie

“ Who gives you health and strength; a good appetite for your food? Who made your form erect and vigorous, instead of lame and deformed, like poor Israel Wasson? Do you ever think who has done all these things for you? ”

“ But Hatty thought that Cæsar would better [Pg 103] appreciate good care, plenty of meat, and Inez’ fond caresses.
“I am glad you feel so,” remarked Mrs. Carleton. “It was a noble act in the dog, though I suppose he ran no great risk of losing his own life. Dogs, especially of the St. Bernard breed, are quite at home in the water. But, Fred, can you think of any man who not only risked his life, but freely gave it up for yours?” ”

“ I don’t believe teacher knows what a drunkard his father is.”
“Well,” said Hatty; “you and I ought to be very thankful that our father is a temperance man. How [Pg 48] should you feel to have him lying with the hogs?”
“I never thought how many things we have to be grateful for,” said Fred, gravely. “If I had a father like Dan Jones, I never could look anybody in the face.”
Mrs. Carleton, finding that her son’s mind was still dwelling on gratitude, promised to relate a story on the subject, as soon as tea was cleared away. ”

“ There was one immense flour and [Pg 82] grain store down by the wharf, owned by Long, Haynes, & Long, into which he had looked with great interest.
The vessels, loaded with grain, came up to the very door, whence the huge bags were taken by means of the tackle into the upper stories of the great storehouse.
“That is the kind of place I should like,” he said to himself, watching the men running to and fro. “Business seems lively. I wonder whether any of the partners [Pg 83] are in the counting-room? I wish somebody would introduce me; but if I must go alone, I must. ”

“ Fred Carleton walked softly toward the puss, his hand outstretched, calling, “Kitty, pretty kitty,” until he had her in his arms.
[Pg 12] His sister Hatty took her hands from the dish-water, wiped them on the roller, and came toward him.
“Why Fred!” she exclaimed, “that’s Ned Perry’s kitty. Clara says it’s a real Maltese. They’ll feel dreadfully when they know it’s lost.”
“I wish they wouldn’t mind,” said Fred, caressing the puss; “see how she loves me! I’d like to keep her so much.” ”

“ Ned Perry was in the same class at Sabbath school, as Fred Carleton. As they were walking home together, Ned said,—
“I don’t see how our cat happened to run away. Mother said you brought her home.”
“Yes, I did! If she comes again, I sha’n’t try it through all the mud. I got awfully tired.”
“Why didn’t you keep her?”
[Pg 40] “I thought you’d be looking everywhere; and Hatty said I ought to go. I’ll give you my new top if you’ll let me keep her.”
“I’ll do it; for mother hates to have her round; she kills chickens so.”
“Kills chickens! ”

“ WE must now pass over several years, during which Captain Carleton was very much prospered. He had become rich, and loved to share his wealth with others.
Hatty was married to a merchant from the neighboring city; and she, who had been so dutiful a daughter [Pg 80] and so loving a sister, bid fair to be an affectionate wife. ”

“ Neither of the boys likes the dog. They shut him up, blind his eyes, and play all manner of tricks upon him. One day Cæsar came on deck limping badly. I examined his foot and found it deeply cut. I still suspect it was the work of Lawrence, the eldest boy. [Pg 97] Inez was almost frantic with grief. She insisted on holding the bandages while the mate bound up the wound, all the time weeping over her pet. ”

“ Fred suddenly remembered that he had first seen her near the hen-coop; and he also remembered that this was Sunday, and that he ought [Pg 41] not to have been making bargains about cats.
“That was a real good story Miss Darling told us to-day,” he said, changing the subject.
“Yes, she’s a tip-top teacher! She makes us understand the lesson; and that’s what I never did before.”
“I’m going to wait here till Hatty comes up,” said Fred, stopping at the corner where his companion had to leave him, and looking earnestly up the street. ”

“ This shed was a favorite resort for the hogs, which were out when the new-comer arrived, but soon [Pg 46] returned to their nest. In the utmost kindness, they gave the man the warmest place in the middle of the bed; some lying close by his side, and others acting the part of the quilt. Their company made him so warm that he was kept from exposure.
Toward morning he began to rouse from his drunken sleep, but felt so comfortable that he supposed himself still in the tavern with his companions. ”

“ MRS. CARLETON was at work on a new suit of clothes. They were of a soft gray cloth, and made in a fashion which greatly pleased the little boy. First, there was a pair of pantaloons, or pants, as Fred called them; then a vest, he had never worn a vest before; and last, a nice jacket with [Pg 23] a pocket in the left side, just like the ones worn by the big boys. The jacket and vest were bound with black braid.
Mrs. Carleton had taken great pains with the new suit. First, she had to give more for the cloth than she could well afford ”