THE minister's pew was a large square one near the pulpit and exposed
to a fire of eyes.
Mr. Tyler, the minister, owned a large dog named Watch, who was bent on
going to church with Mrs. Tyler. She was opposed, fearing that he might
excite the mirth of the children.
Every Sunday a series of manoeuvres took place between the two, in
which Watch often proved himself the keenest. Sometimes he slipped away
very early; and Mrs. Tyler, after having searched for him to shut him
up, would go to church and find Watch seated in the family pew, looking
very grave and decorous, but evidently aware that it was too late now
to turn him out. Sometimes he would hide himself until the family had
all started for church, and would then follow the footsteps of some
tardy worshiper who tiptoed in during prayers with creaking boots;
and then didn't Watch know that Mrs. Tyler would open the pew door in
haste, to prevent his whining for admission?
When Mr. Tyler became in earnest in his appeals, he often repeated the
same word with a ringing emphasis and a blow on the desk cushion that
startled the sleepers in the pews.
One day he thus shouted out, quoting the well-known text, "Watch!
watch! watch, I say!" when bounce, came the dog almost into his arms.
You may be sure that the boys all took occasion to relieve their
pent-up restlessness by one uproarious laugh, before their astonished
parents had time to frown them into silence.
Honest Watch had been sitting with his eye fixed, as usual, on the
minister. At the first mention of his name, he went, his ears and
his eyes kindled; at the second, he was still more deeply moved;
at the third, he obeyed, and flew completely over the pew rail and
pulpit door, with leaps that did equal honor to his muscular powers
and his desire to obey. After such a strict interpretation of the
letter rather than the spirit, Watch was effectually forbidden
church-going.--_Selected._
[Illustration: MY LITTLE PLAYMATE.]
_Volume 13, Number 12._ Copyright, 1886, by D. LOTHROP & CO.
_Jan. 23, 1886._