Mabel lives on a hill, quite near a beautiful lake, and is very fond of
going with her papa to take a row on the water. Sometimes they visit the
woods on the other side of the lake, and pick wild flowers, or go where
the water-lilies grow, near the shore, and gather a bunch of the pretty
white blossoms.
But I must tell about Mabel's friend Carlo. He is a large shaggy dog,
owned by a gentleman who lives near. Although quite a young dog, he
knows a great deal. He is very fond of water, and is wild with delight
at the prospect of a swim.
His master owns a large sail-boat, and, as the water near the shore is
not deep, he has to use a small boat to reach it. When Carlo sees him
take down the oar from its place in the yard, he runs up, and takes it
in his mouth, as much as to say, "Let me carry that for you, master."
Then he trots down the hill with the oar, feeling very proud that he is
allowed to carry it.
One day, Carlo took hold of the rope with his teeth, and drew the small
boat to the shore; so that his master, who was in it, did not have to
use the oar.
Mabel loves Carlo very much; and, although he is a large dog, he knows
that he must play very gently with little boys and girls, and not hurt
them with his great paws.
NED