Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1886 — Why Major Went to Church. [ARTICLE]

Why Major Went to Church.

I once visited a pleasant countryhouse, the owner of which had a powerful and sagacious dog called Major. This dog was highly prized by his master and by the people of the neighborhood. He had saved many lives. Once when a swing-rope became entangled around the neck of a little girl, Major held her np until help came. One day the butcher brought in his bill for Major’s provisions. Major’s master thought it altogether too large, and shaking the paper angrily at the dog, he said: “See here, old fellow, you never ate all that meat, —did you?” >■ The dog looked hard at the bill, shook himself all over, regarded the butcher with contempt, and then went hack to his rug, where he stretched himself out with a low growl of dissatisfaction, —— —————- The next Sunday, just as service began at the village church, into my friend’s pew vaulted Major. The Major kept perfectly quiet until we all arose for.prayer; then he sprang upon the seat, stood on his hind-legs, piftced bis fore-paw upon the -front of the pew behind, and stared gravely and reproachfully into the face of the butcher, who looked very much confused, and turned first red and , then pale. The whole congregation smiled and tittered. Major’s master at once took the dog home. But the butcher was more considerate in his charges ■from that time. Evidently he felt mortified and conscience-stricken. —Lizzie Hatch, in St. Nicholas