lating what
sport they would have, when they got home, by letting it loose in the
stable, and then setting the dog on to worry it to death. The little
creature had become so tame, that it would run to her whenever she came
to the place where it was kept, and when she took it up, would nestle
itself in her arms to show its gratitude for her kind treatment and
tender care of it. She had, besides, several fowls and ducks, that lived
very comfortably in her yard, because she took care of them herself and
did not trust it to any one else.

[Illustration]

And last, not by any means least, among her favorites, was a beautiful
young deer, which her father had purchased, and brought home to her.

[Illustration]

Paulina felt the greatest pleasure in giving these pet animals all the
comforts she could, and her father and mother, to encourage her
benevolent disposition, increased her pocket-money, that she might be
enabled to buy corn for her fowls, and seeds for her birds. Her
brothers, too, who were at college, often sent her presents.

One day when Paulina was out, her attention was called to a young woman
who had brought two young lambs to market for sale. The two creatures
were coupled together like hounds; and as she stood with her eyes cast
down, yet looking upon them, it was impossible not to note the sorrow
stamped upon her gentle features. Paulina was interested and entered
into conversation with her. She learned that she was a young married
woman; that her husband had gone to sea; leaving his mother, a very
infirm old woman to her care. Soon after his departure, Mary left her
father's more comfortable dwelling to reside in the old woman's cabin,
so that she could take the better care of her. A sheep was her only
fortune and she took it with her. It had two lambs, and these she hoped
to be able to keep toward the formation of a mountain flock; but the
season was so pinching that she brought the lambs into town for sale.
Several had asked the price, but had turned away without purchasing.
After relating to Paulina her story she sat down, and putting her arm
around her lambs began to cry. Paulina told her to dry her tears, gave
her the price of her lambs, and then told her to take them home, and let
them still be the commencement of her mountain flock. The gratitude
expressed by the poor creature, by both words and look at this generous
act of kindness, amply repaid Paulina for the little sacrifice she had
made to r