and ran backwards and forwards crying under her load. Hearing the noise, I went to see what was the matter, and there was my puppy sitting as gravely as a judge on the back of the bird, enjoying a pleasant morning's ride, till I thought he had had sufficient exercise, and released the goose from her rider. not mean it-spread her wings still more, of this creature which showed his extraordinary sagacity. His master had taught him to fetch his provisions as he wanted them, from any of the neighboring places where he might be quartered. His fame had reached the ears of many officers, and one day they watched him, when he was the bearer of a note and basket to bring back some fowls from a farm-house above a mile distant. The fowls were put into the basket alive, and the basket was one with two lids. As long as he carried it, the fowls rode securely; but, when he completed about half his journey, he sat down the basket to rest, when one of the fowls feeling disposed to retun home, found his way out by lifting up one of the lids. Moustache for that was the dog's name-was keeping a watchful eye over his charge, and instantly pursuing the deserter, brought it back, and pushing up the basket-lid with his nose, replaced the captive in prison. But while he was so doing, a fowl on the opposite side took the alarm, and escaped by lifting up the other lid. Moustache also caught and replaced that in the same manner. But after he had done so several times with the same ill success, a fowl always escaping on one side, as fast as he put one in on the other side-he stood for a moment, as if to pause and consider what he should do— when, again catching his fowl, he gave it a gripe in the neck, and placed it in dead; and, as the others escaped in succession, he served them all in the same way, till, having no more to escape, he But, to return to the subject of these memoirs I have already said that he was a poodle. Dogs of every species have for ages been reckoned among the friends and companions of the human race; but, with the exception of the Newfoundland dog, the poodle is considered as the most intelligent, and no one of the dog tribe is equal to him in affording amusement. He is sometimes called 'the French dog;' for his breed is much esteemed in France, and the natives teach him a thousand diverting tricks, which he learns with the greatest facility. I know a gentleman, who was a military officer of that country, who had one which he highly valued, for he had been his companion for years, and had attended him, and slept with him many a time on the field of battle; among other amusing tricks he would undergo the process of trial as a deserter-be imprisoned in the corner-drop his tail and ears when tried-stand upright to be shot at -and then, suddenly falling down, lay extended on the floor without moving a foot, as if he was killed. I must here further digress from my story of my dog, to mention one anecdote took up his basket and hurried home to his master, much to the amusement and astonishment of all who saw his sagacious exploits. One of the superior officers, of high rank in the army, wished much to possess this dog, and offered his master a large sum for his purchase, but he would not part with his old comrade. Within a month after, poor Moustache was poisoned! This was a cruel and malicious deed. Moustache's master severely felt his loss, and even now, after many years have passed away, in speaking of him, he can scarcely refrain from tears. A singular instance of retaliation for an affront, occurred, not long since, in the case of an animal of the poodle kind, which was bred in the family of a relative of mine. He was accustomed to go out a walking frequently with his master and mistress; but one day they were going where they did not take him, and he wished much to be one of the party. He importuned, and they denied. At length they left him; he dropped his ears and tail, and retired. On their return they could not obtain an entrance, for the key of the garden-gate was nowhere to be found. While they were waiting and considering what was to be done, a younger branch of the family returned, to whom the dog was much attached, and he guessed what had happened. The dog was sent to him, and he coaxed him, and asked him what he had done with the key? After a little time poodle was prevailed upon to relent, and cantering into the field adjoining, he scratched up the earth, and hastened back, bearing in his mouth the lost article! The fact was, that when the door-bell rung, he was often the bearer of the key to let any of the family in, and often brought it back when they were let out. He, therefore, knew that they could not get in without it, and, as they would not let him out, he was resolved that they should not be let in, and so he went and hid the key in the field, till he was induced to relent! My former poodle displayed a similar sagacity. On my returning home from a journey on one occasion, my slippers were not to be found. It was recollected that a few days before he had been seen with one of them in the garden, and it was no doubt concealed with the other by him in some secret corner. I said, "Send him to me, and leave all the doors open,". and then proceeded to ask, while he pricked up his ears and turned his head cunningly on one side, " Where are my slippers, sir ?" This I repeated several times, and then desired him to fetch them. The animal instantly started off down the garden, and brought one and laid it at my feet. "fetch the other." instantly obeyed. like reason. "Now, sir," said I, The command was This certainly was A CHRISTMAS CAROL. AWAKE, arise, good Christians, Let nothing you dismay; Remember Christ our Savior Was born upon this day! The self-same moon was shining That now is in the sky, When a holy band of angels BY MISS MARY HOWITT. Came down from God on high. Came down on clouds of glory, Arrayed in shining light, Unto the shepherd-people, Who watched their flocks by night. And through the midnight silence On earth good-will to man! 'Fear not, we bring good tidings, For, on this happy morn, The promised one, the Savior, In Bethlehem town is born!' Up rose the joyful shepherds From the ground whereon they lay, As ye should rise, good Christians, To hail this blessed day! Up rose the simple shepherds, All with a joyful mind; 'And let us go, with speed,' said they, 'This holy child to find!' Not in a kingly palace The son of God they found, But in a lowly manger Where oxen fed around. The glorious king of heaven, To be of humble birth. There worshipped him the wise men, Frankincense, myrrh, and gold. Which they had seen and heard. And homeward went rejoicing Upon that Christmas morn, Declaring unto every one, That Jesus Christ was born. That he was born,-the Savior, And like unto the shepherds, We wander far and near, Awake, arise, good Christians, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ the Savior Was born upon this day! GREAT CANNON. Mr. Cyrus Alger, at his extensive iron foundry in Boston, has just finished the casting of a large Cannon for the service of the United States, which requires fifteen dollars worth of powder every time it is fired off. The name of the cannon is the Columbia. 'OH brother,' said fair Annie, BY MARY HOWITT. To the blind boy at her side; 'Would thou couldst see the sunshine lie On hill and valley, and the sky Hung like a glorious canopy O'er all things far and wide! 'Would thou couldst see the waters In many a distant glen; The mountain flocks that gaze around; Nay, even this patch of stony ground, These crags, with silver lichen crowned, I would that thou couldst ken! 'Would thou couldst see my face, brother, As well as I see thine; For always what I cannot see " It is but half a joy to me. Yet thou dost ne'er repine!' 'And why should I repine, Annie?' Said the blind boy with a smile; "I ken the blue sky and the grey; The sunny and the misty day; The moorland valley stretched away For many and many a mile! 'I ken the night and day, Annie, And often in my spirit lies : |