TRUE STORIES ABOUT PETS, ANECDOTES, &c.

TEACHING A DOG TO READ.

D EAR Mr. Editor,—My father knows a gentleman who is teaching his dog to read. He prepared some thick pieces of cardboard and printed on each card, in large letters, such words as Bone, Food, Out, &c. He first gave the dog food in a saucer on the card food, and then he placed an empty saucer on a blank card. Van is his name, and he is a black poodle. The next thing he did was to teach Van to bring the cards to him. He brings the card with out on if he wishes to go out. One day he brought the card with food upon it nine times, the card being placed in a different position each time among the other cards. The gentleman hopes to teach him more, for Van quite understands what he has learnt.

H. E. Fowler. (Aged 13.)

Woodthorne, Wolverhampton.

TWO CLEVER HORSES.

D EAR Mr. Editor,—We were once in the country. There was a gentleman living near us, and he had two horses and a carriage. One night he was driving home from dinner, when suddenly the horses stopped. The coachman whipped them, but still they would not move a step farther, so the footman got down and lit a lantern to see what was the matter. What was his surprise to see a tree lying right across the road. Wasn't it clever of the horses to know the tree was there when it was so dark? The gentleman was very pleased with his horses, because if they had gone on the carriage would have been upset.

Antony S. Byng. (Aged 7¼.)

St. Peter's Parsonage, Cranley Gardens, London, S.W.

RUFFLE, THE SWIMMING CAT.

D EAR Mr. Editor,—Not long ago I was given a little tabby Persian kitten, about four months old, which I called "Ruffle." We soon became great friends, and when I went out she would follow me like a dog. At the bottom of our park there is a river, in which we have a bathing-place. One morning when I was going to bathe I thought I would take Ruffle with me, as it would be a nice run for her, and I could leave her with my maid in the punt whilst I was in the water. She did not seem in the least afraid until I was in the water, and then she began to mew. She would not stay in the maid's lap, but ran to the side of the punt mewing piteously. I came to the side of the punt and stroked her and she began to purr at once. I thought she would be quite happy now, and so I left her, but I had hardly turned my back before I heard a little splash and turning round saw my maid vainly trying to rescue Ruffle, who had jumped into the water! Instead of trying to reach the bank she swam to me. Of course I picked her up, little drowned mite that she was, and took her into the bathing-house and dried her as well as I could. I need not say that this proof of her affection made us firmer friends than ever.

Marian C. Brodrick. (Aged 14.)

Peper Harow, Godalming, Surrey.

A DOG'S TRICK.

D EAR Mr. Editor,—I thought you would like to hear of a trick played by a Newfoundland dog of whom its owner was very fond. One day my grandpapa, whilst out walking with another gentleman, was boasting rather of the cleverness of Victor, his dog, in finding things which he had not seen. His friend asked if he would hide something now, and not show the dog. My grandfather agreed, and while Victor was not looking placed his stick in the gutter. The two gentlemen then walked on for about a mile and a half; the dog was then called, and told to fetch the stick. By-and-by he returned, but without the cane. Grandpapa was very angry, especially as his friend remarked that he never really believed it possible for any animal to find a thing at such a distance. The dog was sent back again, but returned with the same result. The gentlemen then determined to follow him, and see where he went. And what do you think the sly fellow did?—why just went round the corner and lay down till he thought it was time to go back! But when he found our that he was discovered he went and brought the stick to grandpapa, who could not help laughing at the trick he had been played.

Edith Parnell. (Aged 13.)

13, Windsor Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Note.—Each Story, Anecdote, &c., when sent to the Editor, must be certified by a Parent, Teacher, or other responsible person, as being both True and Original.