Frankie's Dog Tony, by Madeline Leslie—A Project Gutenberg eBook

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by
REV. A. R. BAKER,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of
Massachusetts.

THESE SMALL VOLUMES ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,

WITH THE EARNEST PRAYER

THAT THEIR LIVES MAY PROVE THEM TO BE LAMBS IN THE FOLD

OF THE GREAT AND GOOD

CHAPTER I.

DID you ever see a dog with a coat on? I am going to tell you about one who was a great traveller. I think you will say it was a remarkable dog, and will not be surprised that Frank was very proud of her.

In the beautiful village of W—, a few miles from the city of Boston, there was a lovely cottage almost covered with woodbine, which had been trained over the walls. In this cottage lived Mr. and Mrs. Colvin, with their two sons, Edward and Frank.

Mr. Colvin had been a sea-captain, and in one of his voyages, he brought home an English officer, who had been wounded in the battle before Sebastopol. This gentleman, whose name was Jameson, had a little dog Tony, who was greatly attached to him. They ate together and slept together, and wherever Colonel Jameson was, whether walking the deck or sitting near the helmsman, or standing in the door of the captain's office, there you would see Tony, also.

"Yes, sir," the gentleman answered, "and if you have time, I will tell you where I found her."

"Well, sir. It was one day, just after a terrible battle; I was making my way over the bloody field to see whether I could find any of my comrades, when I heard a low moan, coming from a tent. I went in and found a poor fellow with his arm shot off. Some injury he had received on his head had made him quite delirious. I tried to bathe the wound, but a little puppy lying close to his side would not let me touch him."

"To make a long story short, the brave boy died a few days later; but not until he had sent messages by me to his widowed mother and sister at home, and had given me his only treasure, his faithful friend Tony."

"I took her to my tent, and she has been true to me ever since. In all the battles in which I afterwards engaged, Tony was in my pocket. When I was wounded, she moaned until she grew sick."

"We understand each other very well, don't we, Tony?" he asked, turning to the dog.

"She knows I have been talking about her. See how intently she watches my every movement. Here, Tony, stand up and shake hands with me."

The creature instantly raised herself on her hind feet, and held out her right paw.

"Is that the hand you offer to a gentleman? Give me the other," said the colonel.

But Tony knew she was right; and she continued holding out her paw, till he said, laughing,—

Then the dog jumped on her master, and wagged her tail as if she were very much pleased.

Before the voyage was over, Captain Colvin and Colonel Jameson had become such good friends that the captain insisted the other should go home with him.

At first, Frank was afraid of Tony, but in a day or two, he grew to like her so much, that he was not content unless he could have her to play with him.

It was surprising how quickly the dog learned to like her new home. Her master could not now, as when he was on shipboard, feed her from his plate at dinner; but after one or two meals, she submitted very quietly and allowed Frankie to feed her from a plate in the kitchen.

When company came in, Tony had to be dressed up as well as anybody. I forgot to tell you that every morning her master gave her a bath; and then she lay in the sun, and licked herself dry.

Colonel Jameson was not an officer now; but he had saved a piece of his uniform, which was bright-red broadcloth, and a lady friend of his had made it into a coat for Tony, and trimmed it with the gold cord of which the epaulets were made.

Frankie laughed merrily when he first saw Tony sitting in a chair with her coat on. She looked so prim and funny, as if she thought herself very fine indeed.

The next day, he begged his mother to give him a collar, which made the dog look funnier than ever.

I don't think Tony liked the linen collar, which was starched very stiff; for she kept turning her head from one side to another, and uttering a low kind of a growl. I think she wanted to say,—

"Please, Frank, take off my collar. I'm a soldier's dog, and not used to such things, you know."

But Frank thought the collar a great improvement, and told Tony she must get used to it, if she expected to live in genteel society.

By and by, Mrs. Colvin basted into the neck of the coat a white frill, which had no starch in it. Tony was so much pleased at this, that she began at once to lick the lady's hand, and ever after considered her a good friend.

CHAPTER II.

AFTER Colonel Jameson had stayed a month or so at the cottage, and told his new friends all about the great battles in which he had fought, he went to the city to find employment. Tony, of course, went with him; and then poor Frankie was so lonesome that he had two or three hearty cries for his pet.

Mrs. Colvin told her husband she would try and find a dog for Frank, he took so much comfort with Tony.

One day they went to the city, when, on calling at a friend's house, there sat Colonel Jameson with his favorite in his lap.

Every one could see that the love was not all on Frankie's side, for Tony seemed almost out of her wits with joy. She jumped up and down, giving short, joyful barks, and then stopping a moment to lick his hands and kiss his face.

Frankie was delighted, and mother had to remind him twice that he had not spoken to the lady of the house, before he noticed that any one else was present.

Colonel Jameson laughed heartily when he saw what a pleasant meeting it was. By and by he asked,—

"O sir! I should like it very much, indeed. I would take nice care of her, and let her go to school with me every day."

"I rather think the teacher would object to such a scholar," answered the gentleman, laughing.

He then told Mrs. Colvin that he had found some business, and had a very good boarding-place; but they would not consent to keep Tony. He felt very sad to part from the dog, but as he found there were few boarding-houses, where a dog was not considered a nuisance, he was willing Frankie should take her, if his mother would consent.

It was some time before Tony could be made to understand that she was to be separated from her master. When Frankie called, she ran to him, but would instantly run back, and catch hold of the Colonel's coat for him to come, too.

You may be sure that Mrs. Colvin did not like the officer any the less because she saw a tear in his eye when he was caressing the dog. She knew that he was thinking of all the dangers they had encountered together, and also, how desolate he should feel on going to his room at night, to have no little friend there to welcome him.

At last, the lady where they were visiting proposed that the Colonel should take advantage of the time when Frankie was playing with the dog, and slip into another room, when she would go with the boy more readily.

This he did; but Tony barked and ran to the door, scratching with all her might to get it open. But when she found she could not, she allowed her next loved friend to take her in his arms and carry her away.

When they reached the cottage, she was delighted. She would jump up into a chair by Frankie, or down again, just as he bid her; but whenever the door opened, or she heard a step on the walk, her ears would be cocked up, and she would listen with all her might for her old master.

Frankie was very proud of his power over the dog, and was continually showing his father, mother, and Edward how quickly she understood and obeyed him.

He brought a shawl to wrap his baby in, and said he should take her to bed with him as Colonel Jameson did. But Eddy objected at once.

"I know just how it will be," he said; "Tony will bark and wake us, and Frankie is such a sleepy head that he will not get up to attend to her, and I shall have all the trouble with her."

"No, no!" exclaimed Frankie; "I'll promise to keep her my side, and take all the care of her."

Mrs. Colvin, however, thought it best to have a bed made for Tony in the corner of the room, where she lay, wrapped in the shawl, very quietly till morning.

The next day, when Frankie was getting ready for school, he told his mother he was going to take Tony into the seat with him.

"I am afraid your teacher will object, my dear," she said, "and the dog will take your mind from your studies."

But the boy pleaded very earnestly that he might take her once. "I want to show Willie Miles and George Holmes how she obeys me," he exclaimed.

He came home at noon, just as his mother expected, very indignant because the boys had tried to stone his pet.

"The teacher wouldn't let her stay in the school-room," he exclaimed, his face growing very red, "though I told her Tony would be perfectly quiet; and so I had to put her in the entry, and when the boys went out at recess they teased her dreadfully."

His mother comforted her boy by reminding him how pleasant it would be for him to come home and have Tony bark out her welcome. So that was the last of Tony's school education.

Every day, though, she learned something new at home. Even Captain Colvin took pains to teach her new and cunning tricks. Whenever she wanted anything to eat, she always stood up on her hind feet and asked for it, and then she would bark out her thank you in the funniest manner imaginable.

CHAPTER III.

FRANKIE was generally a good boy; but sometimes, he did not like to obey his mother, and tried to argue with her. This is very naughty; for God has commanded children to obey their parents promptly and cheerfully.

One morning, Frankie ran into the sitting-room, where his mother was writing a letter, and said,—

"Oh, we're going to get an early dinner! Ann can give me a piece of pie, and I'll be off by one o'clock. Say, ma, may I go?"

"But, Frankie, don't you remember you promised to carry some yarn to poor Nancy? That must be done first."

"But, ma, I didn't know then that the boys were going to the woods. I'll carry the yarn some other day."

Frankie began to look red and angry; but presently brightened with the words,—"I'll run to Nancy's right away, if you'll let me. Tony may go with me."

"No, ma, I haven't. I hate music, and I wish I never need take another lesson, Mr. Lenox is so cross."

The lady looked grieved. "I can remember," she said, "when a little boy begged his father to allow him to take lessons on the piano; and, when his mother objected on account of the time it would be necessary for him to practise, he exclaimed,—"

"'Oh, you never need fear for me! I had rather learn music than to play. I will promise to practise the lessons as much as you wish me to.'"

"I didn't know then how hateful music was. I wish now I need never see a piano again."

Mrs. Colvin was displeased to hear her son talk in this way, and to see him look so angry. She raised her heart in prayer to God that she might rightly train this darling child.

"Frankie, go to the parlor and practise one hour by the clock. Then, if you can run to Nancy's before dinner with the yarn, I am willing you should join your companions in the woods. But remember all depends on your prompt attention to your music."

Frank went through the hall slowly, as if to an unpleasant task; for every day he grew more neglectful of his practice, and gave greater offence to his teacher. The piano was already open; so, after spending four or five minutes in finding the place in his book and pushing the music-stool back and forth, he took his seat.

"Come, now, Frankie," urged the lady, "be a good boy, and I'll help you. If you give your whole attention to it, you will learn the lesson well in an hour."

Frankie's lingers Cell upon the keys; but his eyes had a vacant look, and Aunt Sarah knew then, just as well as she did at the end of the hour, that the time would be wasted. She took up her book again, and the boy began to play over and over one of his first lessons, which he could do without any effort.

Five minutes more passed in this manner, when Tony poked her nose through the crack of the door, which stood ajar, and then made her way into the room, barking joyfully that she had found her young master. This was a very good excuse, the boy thought, for taking a recess; so down he got from the stool, and had a fine romp with the dog on the floor.

Frankie suddenly recollected the nutting, and, seating himself quickly, began to thumb over the same lesson again.

"Now, Frankie, that's too bad!" she said, reprovingly. "Begin on the new lesson. You have diddled that over and over till I'm tired of it."

"Yes, Frankie, that's just it. You do nothing but diddle over that one strain. I should think you would be ashamed of yourself when pa's paying so much money for your lessons."

"Now, Frank, I'm going to lay by my book, and attend to you," said Aunt Sarah; "you must give your mind to it."

She drew a chair close to his side, and, pointing out the notes, said, firmly, "Begin there!"

He did so, and for a short time picked out the notes quite correctly, his aunt counting the time for him; but a slight movement of Tony from the floor to the sofa, which she thought would be an easier resting-place, upset him again.

After this, it was quite in vain that Aunt Sarah tried to fix his attention. He did indeed touch a few chords; but nothing was accomplished. He complained continually that his head ached.

"O Frankie!" she exclaimed, after he had touched a few chords. "What will your teacher say?"

"Well, you may go to your room now, and lie down, while I carry the yarn to Nancy."

Frank sprang from the stool with an eagerness which surprised them, exclaiming,—

CHAPTER IV.

IN the afternoon, Mrs. Colvin went with her sewing to the nursery, where Frankie was still in bed. Nurse had carried some bread and milk to him there.

Tony was on the bed, too, and the boy was amusing himself with hiding his pocket-handkerchief under the sheets and telling her to find it.

"I was very sorry that you could not enjoy your favorite pudding, my dear. Cook said she made it on purpose for Master Frank."

Frankie's face flushed, and then with a start, he covered his head with the pillows to hide his tears. At last he said,—

She made no answer; and presently he recovered himself and began his play with Tony again.

He hid the handkerchief here and there, now under the pillows, and then beneath the tick, when he would say authoritatively,—

"Yes, ma, she minds me real quick. Sam Lambert has a dog; and he tried to make the boys believe that Fox—that's his name—was smarter than Tony."

"I saw him once. Sam had a stick and he threw it away and told Fox to get it; but the lazy thing never stirred. He just whisked his tail and stood still. I wouldn't have such a dog. Now see, ma, how quick Tony minds me."

He hid the handkerchief again, for the twentieth time, and then said, "Find it, Tony;" and she instantly darted here and there, pulling the pillow up with her teeth.

"I see, Frankie; and I think I know a little boy who could learn a good lesson from his dog."

"Yes, indeed! Don't you remember how Solomon, the wisest man, told us to go to the ant, and learn industry and perseverance? We can learn many lessons from animals, if we notice their particular traits."

"I'm sorry, ma, I didn't obey you better. I acted just like Sam Lambert's Fox. I didn't think of that before."

What do you suppose she was thinking of? She was thanking God, who had put it into Frankie's heart to confess his sin.

"Why, ma," the boy went on, "if Tony had acted that way, when I told her to do something,—I mean if she had fooled away her time,—I should have got a stick and whipped her. Why didn't you whip me, ma?"

The lady smiled, as she said, "I preferred to punish you by sending you here, and giving you time to reflect; and I rejoice that you have learned so good a lesson from your pet. Obedience, prompt, cheerful obedience, is the best foundation for a good character. You see what a nuisance Tony would become if she did not obey you; and there is no sight more dreadful to good people, than an unruly, disobedient child. Such a one is sure to grow up disregardful of the laws of God and man, and very often ends his days in a prison, or on the gallows."

"But now I want to talk with you about your music. You can remember how very anxious you were to learn, and how many promises you made to practise regularly. Your father is very fond of music, and cheerfully paid the twenty-five dollars, which Mr. Lenox asks for teaching you."

"But, ma," urged the boy, "I didn't know how it would make my fingers ache. If I could play nice marches like Etty Bowles, I'd like it first-rate."

"Etty began when you did, Frankie; and I dare say her fingers ached till they became accustomed to the motion. If you persevere, you will soon be able to play marches. Every lesson you learn thoroughly is a good step in advance. You know how easy your first lessons have become."

"Oh, yes, ma! I can diddle 'em off tip-top." He laughed merrily, as he began to practise with his finger on Tony's back. Presently, he said,—

"Ma, if you'll let me get up, I'll play steady at it. I'll try to obey you just as nice as Tony does me. Wont I, doggy?"

Frankie lost no time in tumbling out of bed, followed by Tony, who seemed, by her joyful bark, to think that his young master had got into the right track again.

I wish you could have seen the boy as he splashed the water over his face and head. There was a look of resolution on his countenance which his mother was very much pleased to see.

"Come, ma! Come, Tony! Now you'll hear some playing!" And down he ran, happier than he had been for many a day.

When he was in the right humor, it only took one minute to find his place, arrange the stool, and seat the dog in a chair near him.

"It looks awful hard, ma," he said; "but I'll do it." So he began, slowly at first, picking out the chords of one line and then repeating the strains until it became familiar. Then he went on to the next, until he was himself surprised at his success.

"Bravo! Bravo! My dear child," exclaimed his loving father. "I doubt whether I could play better myself."

Frankie jumped. "Why, pa, I didn't know you were here. Stop a minute, please, and hear how nicely I have learned my whole lesson."

"How long do you think you have been practising?" asked his mother, kissing him.

"And my fingers don't ache at all. They only feel stiff a little. Now, ma, I feel as if I could dance, I'm so very glad. But wont Mr. Lenox be surprised, though? He'll say, 'Frankie Colvin, take your place on the stool;' and he'll frown and be all ready to scold when he finds I haven't practised the last lesson. Oh, it will be fun to see him!"

"Why, Frank," said his father; "you dance and hop about for all the world like Tony."

"I'm so happy, pa. This dear little doggy has given me one good lesson, and I love her better than ever," he added, hugging the faithful creature.

"It is a lesson," said his mother, gravely, "which I hope you will remember as long as you may live. Prompt, cheerful obedience, in the performance of duty, makes old and young happy. Now, my darling, you shall take a walk with me; and then it will be time for tea."

CHAPTER V.

ONE day, Frankie was going an errand for his mother; and Tony, of course, was following closely at his heels, when he heard the sound of a hand-organ down a lane, and he ran to find it.

The organ-grinder had a box with dolls dressed in lace, dancing and bowing in the funniest manner. There was a crowd of boys around him, who were laughing merrily at the novel sight. Frankie laughed, too. Indeed, I don't think one of the boys enjoyed it more than he did.

By and by, he thought of his errand, and was frightened when he found he had lost the package of thread for which his mother had sent him to the store. He looked on the ground near the place where he had been standing; but it was nowhere to be seen, neither could it be found.

Then he looked behind him for Tony; but she, too, was missing. He called, loudly, "Tony! Tony!" But there was no answer back.

"I saw a dog running off that way," said a boy, pointing in the direction of Frankie's home. "I guess that was your dog."

Frankie looked in the boy's face, and, child though he was, he knew it was not an honest one; then he started off for home, resolved to tell his mother the whole story. The fright about Tony had made him very warm; and he put his hand in his pocket to find his handkerchief to wipe the perspiration from his forehead. But to his surprise, his handkerchief had followed Tony and the package.

He ran now as fast as he could go, looking in every direction for the lost dog, and calling, "Tony! Tony! Good doggy!"

When he reached home, his mother was standing at the door, and she wondered to see him so flushed, and that the dog was not with him.

"O ma!" he began. "Have you seen Tony, and my handkerchief? and your thread is lost, too!"

Half crying, he told his mother what had occurred, at the same time running from room to room in search, for the dog.

Mrs. Colvin was soon convinced that Tony had been stolen. She told Frankie to sit down and cool himself; and then she sent Edward to a neighbor, who was a constable, to ask him what they should do.

Unfortunately the man was not at home; and they were obliged to wait until night, when Captain Colvin returned from the city.

Poor Frank cried until his head ached, and could not eat a mouthful of dinner. He kept saying, "Oh, I wish I hadn't gone down the lane! I'm afraid they'll kill Tony, or starve him to death."

Captain Colvin accompanied the constable to the lane, where there were a number of shabby tenement houses; but nobody had seen the dog, or knew anything about her. At a late hour, he returned home, and found Frankie had cried himself to sleep.

The next morning, advertisements were put up at all the principal stores, at the post-office, and the depot; but that day and the next passed without any news of poor Tony.

"I know she's dead," said poor Frankie, who now looked really ill. "I know I shall never see her again."

A fresh burst of grief prevented him from saying more. He laid his arm on the table and cried as if his heart would break.

His mother tried to soothe him, when suddenly she heard a feeble whine at the gate.

Frankie heard it, too, and ran quickly across the room to open time door. There stood poor Tony, with the lost handkerchief between her teeth. She had grown so thin that she could hardly stand, but tried to crawl forward to her young master's feet.

With a scream of joy, Frankie lay down on the floor by her side and, patting her, covered her with kisses.

Mrs. Colvin rang the bell, and sent nurse for some food for the poor, starved creature.

"We must feed her very cautiously at first," she said, as her boy began to cut the meat from the bones. "Let her eat but a little now, and give her more at the end of an hour."

"I wish Tony could tell where she has been. I'd get the constable to put the people in prison, for treating her so. Look, ma! Here is the rope they tied her with. I do believe the good creature gnawed it off, and ran away!"

Tony seemed to understand what they were saying, for she tried to bark; but she had not strength, and, instead, made such a mournful sound, that Frankie's tears began to flow again. He brought a soft cushion for her to lie upon, and soon had the pleasure of seeing her enjoying a refreshing nap!

Toward the close of the day, cook came into the parlor and told her mistress that there were two boys at the end of the garden, and she had overheard them talking about the dog.

Mrs. Colvin at once sent the hired man to bring them to the house. But the boys saw him coming and ran away, laughing, and shouting loudly, "Catch me if you can."

When Mr. Colvin came home, he thought it was best to let the constable know that he had found out the names of the thieves. When he reached the gentleman's house, he found out that the two boys had already been detected of crime, having only an hour before been arrested for stealing goods from a store, and were now on their way to the county jail.

When Frankie heard this, he lavished more caresses on his pet, and told her she was safe now.

CHAPTER VI.

I AM sure the little boys and girls who read this, will be glad to know that good care, nourishing food, and Frankie's caresses, at last restored Tony; though it was a long time before she could run and jump as she had before. It was quite affecting to see her try to spring after Frankie's ball when he bid her bring it to him. She would seem to forget for a moment how feeble she was, and then, quite exhausted, she would lie down puffing and panting for breath, but keeping her eyes on her master as if to say, "I would obey you, if I could."

Then Frank would blame himself for telling her to do it; and he would ask her pardon, and kiss her over and over again. Oh, they were very good friends, indeed!

Frankie's school was about a quarter of a mile from the house. Before Tony was stolen, she used to go with him until they were in sight of the school-house, and then scamper back as fast as she could go; but now Tony was not allowed beyond the gates.

The faithful creature seemed to know when it was time for Frank to come home. The first day she could crawl down the yard, she stationed herself where she could see far down the road, and at the first glimpse of his figure, began to bark out her welcome.

One day, for whispering, he was kept after school was dismissed. Tony watched and watched, and, after Eddy came home, showed great impatience. She even stole through the gate, and walked cautiously toward the school-house.

At last Frankie came in sight, not running and jumping as usual; but walking slowly, with his handkerchief at his eyes.

Tony was sure, now, that something was the matter. She sprang up, licked his hand, and tried, in every way that a dog could try, to show her sympathy.

Frankie was a proud boy; that is, he would not like anybody to know that he had been punished, and was crying for it; but he didn't mind telling his troubles to Tony.

"It was real mean of the master," he began, "to ferule me for just saying one word. Sam Lambert asked me to lend him my new ball; and I said it was at home. Master punished me; but Sam got nothing but praise."

"Well," Frankie went on, "after all, I had rather have a good whipping every day, than to lie as Sam does. The master will find him out some time; and if he don't, God sees him. I'd be afraid ever to go to sleep, if I was such a liar."

They were now nearly home, and Frankie concluded to wet his handkerchief at the pump and wipe his eyes before he presented himself in the parlor.

Tony stood by, looking very wishful; and then they went in together. During all the intermission, Tony did not leave her master a minute; but watched him closely, every now and then standing on her hind feet to lick his hand.

When the boy started to go to school, she held the skirt of his coat in her mouth as if she were afraid he would be hurt again.

"Frankie Colvin, you may walk up to the desk," called out the master, when all the boys had taken their seats.

"Now," continued the teacher, "I wish you, Samuel, to tell me exactly the words Frank Colvin whispered to you this morning."

"He said, 'Will you let me take your new ball at recess?' and I told him that I had left it at home."

"Yes, those were the words. I can believe you, Frank, for I have never known you to tell a lie. You may take your seat."

"Now, Samuel, let me tell you, that I heard you boasting to the boys that you got off from a whipping by a nice little white lie as you called it. There are no white lies. Every lie is, in God's sight, black; and he has told us how he will punish liars who do not repent and forsake their sins. You broke the rule of the school by whispering to your companion, and thus tempting him to answer; and you have done what was far worse, and broken God's holy law. You denied that you had whispered, and bore false witness against your neighbor. How mean for you to sit by and see him punished for an offence which you had led him to commit! I am distressed that I have such a scholar, and shall be compelled to punish you as you deserve."

He then took a ruler from his desk, and punished Samuel on both hands,—the boy yelling with all his might, while poor Frankie laid his head on the desk before him and cried.

When Sam returned to his seat, he raised the cover of his desk to screen his burning cheeks. He was very, very angry; and, if he had dared, would have been glad to knock Frankie down for daring to tell the truth against him.

It was very hard for the good boy to study his lesson, while his seat-mate was muttering so angrily behind the cover; but, remembering his victory over himself with his music lesson, he bent his whole mind to the task, and soon learned all the map questions in his geography lesson.

The class was called to recite directly after recess; and Frankie was standing in front of the teacher, when he heard a familiar bark, and suddenly Tony bounded into the room and rushed up to him.

Then there was a knock at the door, and presently Colonel Jameson and Mrs. Colvin walked in and took seats on the platform.

You can easily imagine how glad Frankie was that he had learned his lesson so perfectly. He stood very erect, his eyes sparkling, his cheeks rosy-red, and was ready with every answer, the moment the question was asked.

"Your class appears uncommonly well," remarked the visitor. "I am glad to see that a little friend of mine is so studious."

Mrs. Colvin smiled and was very happy. Nothing makes mothers so happy as to have their children do well.

CHAPTER VII.

WHEN the classes had all recited, the visitors took their leave, Mrs. Colvin asking permission for Frankie to accompany them home, as their friend would remain only one night.

So they all left together, Frankie turning, as he went out, to make a bow to his master. Tony thinking, I suppose, it was the rule of the school, turned round also, and made such a funny little motion with her head as set the whole school laughing.

I need not tell you that our little friend felt very happy. Instead of walking along steadily with his mother and the colonel, he and Tony had a chase, here and there, every minute or two returning to the side of their friends.

Before they were half-way home, he determined to tell his mother all that had occurred at school, ending with, "It's bad enough to be whipped for whispering, ma; but if I had been talked to before the school for lying, I should have felt so mean, I never could have shown my face there again."

"And that is not the worst of it, my dear son," said the lady; "the exposure before the school was mortifying, to be sure; but that is nothing compared to the displeasure of our heavenly Father. There is no sin which appears to good people more mean and despicable than lying, and there is none which God abhors more."

"Well, mother," said Frankie, "I'm resolved I'll never, never tell another lie. You know I haven't told one for a long time."

"May God help you to keep so good a resolution!" said Colonel Jameson, very solemnly, laying his hand on the boy's head. "Be truthful and obedient, and you will not only have the friendship of all good people; but God, your heavenly Father, will reward you with his favor."

Colonel Jameson smiled as he saw the little boy lay his cheek against Tony's nose. He loved Frankie for the kind care he took of the dog. After a while he asked,—

"I came to get permission for you and Tony to go with me to the sea-shore. There is nice bathing there."

"Yes, dear. I have consented, on condition that you never go near the water, unless in company with Colonel Jameson."

"I never will, ma. I'll do everything he says. Oh, wont I have a good time! Say, Tony;" and he hugged the dog tightly in his arms. "But when are we going, Colonel Jameson?"

"On Monday morning. I shall come from the city in an early train; and you will meet me at the depot. Your mother has promised to fit you up in a bathing-suit, and I will provide fish-poles."

It was now Friday; but immediately after the Colonel left, the young boy insisted that it would be safer to pack his clothes and have everything in readiness for a start. He ran to the attic to bring a small valise, and asked his father's permission to take it.

An hour later, his mother entered his chamber and found the floor covered with caps, boots, shoes, books, balls, etc., etc.

"You will only want one change, my dear, besides your bathing clothes, and that, with some clean collars, a comb and brush, and plenty of dry socks, will be all that you will need."

"Would you carry Tony's new suit, ma? I wish I could; she does look so funny in it."

Monday morning came at last; and the little fellow, determined to be in season, had privately engaged cook to wake him as soon as it was light. To his mother's great surprise, he walked into her chamber, just as the clock was striking five, all dressed for his journey.

It was still two hours before the train would leave the city; and Mrs. Colvin tried to persuade him to return to bed; but his father laughed and said,—

At eight o'clock, he met Colonel Jameson and started off in high glee. At the end of a week, he walked into the sitting-room with Tony at his heels. His face was as brown as a nut; but he exclaimed, as he kissed his mother,—"I've been a good boy, ma; Colonel Jameson told me to tell you so."

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The Project Gutenberg eBook of Frankie's dog Tony

FRANKIE'S DOG TONY.