The DOG'S EXAMPLE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 29, 10 December 1898, Page 4

The DOG'S EXAMPLE.

_ Johnnie was a, very careless little" boy. He was always losing his playthings and books, tearing his clothes, forgetting errands, and making himself and eVery one else a great deal of trouble. He had a habit of doing things that he ought not to do, and of going into places Where he ought not to go. He neVer meant to be naughty ; but he didn't take time to think, and sometimes his poor mamma almost lost patience with him. " O Johnnie, Johnnie," she would say, " just look at your feet, all covered with mud ! See how you have spoiled my nice clean floor !" Johnnie looked very sorry. " 0 mamma, I didn't mean to ; bat I didn't think." he said eagerly. Mamma shook her head. " That is what you always say, Johnnie ; and yet almost every day my floor is tracked by your dirty feet. I am almost afraid to take you With me to visit Aunt Jane." " 0 mamma, do let me go ! I will be Very careful — indeed, indeed, I will," Johnnie promised earnestly. ' " Well, I will try you this time," said mamma ; " but remember, Johnnie, that if you do not cure yourself of this bad habit, Aunt Jane will not be likely to invite you again." Johnnie promised once more to be careful, and he really meant to keep his word; but, alas! the very first day of his Visit he " forgot " again, and Aunt Jane's pretty carpet Was almost ruined by his muddy shoes. " Oh, I am always forgetting 1" exclaimed Johnnie in despair. " You will have to take lessons of my dog!" replied his aunt. •' Major is not handsome, but I am afraid he must be smarter and better behaved than you are in some things. When he first came to live with me, he u»ed to come to the house with~ dirty paws ; but every time he did' so, I took a pan of water out on the steps, and washed them before allowing him to come in. He soon learned to be careful, and never gives me trouble now. I often Bee him go out of his way to cross the street on the cross-walk, W stead, of going through the mud." Major pricked up his ears and wagged, his tail at this praise, but Johnnie hung; his head , for very shame. At last ' he stooped down and patted the dog's head. \. , - - " Well, old Major, you needn't think' I'm going to be beaten by you,'" he (said. And from -that time 'mamma wfts never again troubled by his, dirty shoes.