The English Terrier
An English gentleman had a small dog, I think
a terrier; he took it with him across the English Channel to
Calais which, you know, is in France. He had business there,
and remained some time. One day his poor little dog was
severely treated by a French dog, much larger than himself.
The little terrier knew that he could not punish the big
French dog. For some days you might see him with his head
hanging down as well as his tail, and a most melancholy
expression in his face. At last, he disappeared. His master,
who was very fond of him, made every inquiry after him. In
vain--his little four-footed friend was nowhere to be found.
One day, not long after, in walked the terrier, bringing with
him a dog much larger than himself. He and his big friend
looked very busy and important, as if they had on hand some
weighty affair to transact. They showed how seriously they
were cogitating, by curling up their tails even more than
common.
The terrier, after receiving gratefully his master's caresses,
and taking care that his great friend should receive his full
share of the food which was given them, led the way, through
the court yard, to the front of the house. There they took
their place, and sat for a long time, looking as solemn as two
judges hearing a cause, or two deacons at church watching some
troublesome boys.
It seems the little terrier had been to England, and told of
the bad treatment he had received from the large French dog,
and had brought over a great dog friend to avenge the insult.
Patiently they sat for some time, looking up street.
At length, the terrier began to prick up his ears, and, in dog
language, he told his big friend that the enemy was
approaching. They waited quietly till he was near them, and
then they both sprang upon the cowardly fellow, gave him a
good drubbing, and sent him off with his tail between his
legs.
After this, the big English dog, without looking round to see
what they did, and said, and how they looked in France,
wagging his tail with great satisfaction, and perhaps saying
to the little dog that he could not understand French, and
pitied him for having a master who could endure living in a
foreign land, especially France, his dogship walked aboard a
packet, and, with a solemn face and self-satisfied, triumphant
air, without paying his passage, and with his tail turned
towards France and the ship's company, placed himself in the
forward part of the vessel, and so returned to his native
land.
Back to: Dog Bits
|
