A PRINCE OF NEWFOUNDLAND; OR, ONLY A DOG AND A KITTEN.

THE shower had ceased, but the city street Was flooded still with drenching rain, Though men and horses with hurrying feet Swept on their busy ways again. The gutter ran like a river deep; By the clean-washed pavement fast it rushed, As out of the spouts with a dash and a leap The singing, sparkling water gushed. A little kitten with ribbon blue Crossed over the way to the gutter’s brink; With many a wistful, plaintive mew, She seemed at the edge to shudder and shrink. And there she stood while her piteous cries Were all unheard by the heedless throng, Looking across with such longing eyes; But the torrent was all too swift and strong. Up the streets, o’er the pavements wide, Wandered our Prince from Newfoundland, Stately and careless and dignified, Gazing about him on either hand. The sun shone out on his glossy coat, And his beautiful eyes, soft and brown, With quiet, observant glance took note Of all that was passing him, up and down. He heard the kitten that wailed and mewed, Stopped to look and investigate, The whole situation understood, And went at once to the rescue straight. Calmly out into the street walked he, Up to the poor little trembling waif, Lifted her gently and carefully, And carried her over the water safe. And set her down on the longed-for shore, Licked her soft coat with a kind caress, Left her and went on his way once more, The picture of noble thoughtfulness. Only a dog and a cat, you say? Could a human being understand And be more kind in a human way Than this fine old Prince of Newfoundland? O children dear, ’tis a lesson sweet: If a poor dumb dog so wise can be, We should be gentle enough to treat All creatures with kindness and courtesy. For surely among us there is not one Who such an example could withstand; Who would wish in goodness to be outdone By a princely dog from Newfoundland.