LESSON 39
MY DOG DASH

MY little dog was once stolen from me.

After being away for some months, he one day came back with a long string tied round his neck.

He had broken away from the man who had stolen him. Oh, how glad I was to see my good dog back again!

The thief was taken to the court.

He swore that the dog was his; and I was asked if I could give any proof that the dog was mine.

I put my mouth to the dog’s ear, and said something known only to us two.

Dash at once stood up on his hind legs, and went through some tricks I had taught him.

I guided him with my stick, and set the whole court in a roar with the fun.

The thief was asked to make the dog do the same thing; but Dash shrunk away, and would not go near him.

The judge saw that the dog was mine.

The thief was sent to prison, and Dash was set free.

Amid the cheers of the people who stood outside the court, Dash and I bounded merrily home.