They were
well-trained, obedient dogs, clean-limbed and civil, expert in many
clever tricks, but not quite a match for the parrot in cleverness
and cunning.
As soon as the latter spied them, he cried out, imitating his master's
tones, "Finette, attention! Ami, make ready!" Whereupon Ami stood up on
his hind-legs, straight as a sentinel; while Finette hurried up,
expecting to have something thrown for him to bring back.
There stood and stood the poor simpletons, steadfastly looking up, while
Master Poll cried sternly all the while, "Ami, make ready! Finette,
attention!" Finette became almost wild with eagerness; and poor Ami
could hardly stand on his hind-legs any longer.
At last the master came home, and put an end to the torture of the
poor dogs.
The moral of my story is this: whenever a simpleton puts on airs and
plays the master, there are always other simpletons ready to obey
his commands.
VICTOR BLUTHGEN.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CATSKILL-MOUNTAIN HOUSE.
My little friend Mabel is passing the summer amid the Catskill
Mountains.
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