Golden Moments | Page 8

the other hand, was a huge mastiff, who was kept to guard
the house; gentle and docile to those whom he knew, but woe betide the
suspicious-looking stranger who approached the house--his growl was
enough to frighten the stoutest-hearted beggar in the world.
My father thought Bruno was getting a little lazy, so proposed to take
him down to the river with Oscar. I was to accompany them, and see
poor old Bruno have a bath.
The river was not very broad, narrow enough to be spanned by an old
wooden bridge, but it was very deep in the centre.
Bruno floundered about, and at last got into the deep centre current, and,
to my horror, I saw he was losing strength and sinking. I shouted to
father that Bruno was drowning. He called to Oscar, "Save your friend,
Oscar!" And the faithful creature seemed to grasp the situation, for he
swam out to Bruno, and taking hold of his strong leather collar between
his teeth, he lifted his head and shoulders out of the water. I eagerly
watched them, for Bruno was very heavy, and it looked as if poor Oscar
would not have strength to land his friend.
Father encouraged Oscar, for I saw the fear in his face too; and making
one supreme effort, struggling and panting, Oscar brought Bruno into
shallow water. In a few minutes Oscar was all right, but poor old Bruno
was long before he came to himself. His devotion to Oscar after that
was beautiful to see, and they were firmer and truer friends ever
afterwards.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE.
Tom was one of those boys who, being fairly quick and clever, think
they know everything and can do everything without being taught.
Now, however quick and clever a boy or girl may be, this is a great
mistake, because it is wiser and safer to profit by the experience of an
older person than to learn by one's own experience. But Tom always
knew beforehand anything that his father or mother could tell him; and

the result was that he often found himself in the wrong, and more than
once suffered for his conceit and self-sufficiency.
Tom had lived in London all his life, with only occasional visits to the
seaside and a few days in the country at Christmas, when his father and
mother usually went on a visit to his uncle's house at Felford. He was
therefore much excited when at breakfast one morning, just after the
Midsummer holidays had begun, his mother handed a letter across the
table to her husband, asking, "What do you think of that?"
Tom's quick eyes saw that the writing was his uncle's. He watched, and
saw his father and mother both glance at him.
"Well, Tom, I see you have your suspicions about this letter," said his
father; "and you are right. It does concern you. Your uncle has asked
you to go to Felford. Your aunt and the little ones will be away; but
your uncle will be at home, and Allan will be there to keep you
company. Now, do you think you can be trusted to go alone, and not
give your uncle any trouble, or lead Allan into mischief?"
"Why, of course, Father!" Tom answered readily.
"I am sorry to say there is no 'of course' in the matter; but you can try
this once, and I hope it may be as you say. But you must remember that
your uncle is very strict, and that you will not be allowed"--
"Oh, I know!" said Tom, but his father stopped him.
"If you say that to me again I shall not let you go to your uncle's. If you
know so well, you ought to practise what you know, and give less
anxiety to your mother and me."
At last the day came. His father saw him off at the station; and, after a
journey of two hours, Tom arrived at the Felford station, and found his
uncle's wagon had come to meet him, and Allan was in it. The boys had
much to say to each other; for they had not met for some months, and
were always good friends, Allan being only eight months younger than
Tom. Allan had much to tell of their plans for enjoyment while Tom

was at Felford, and among other pleasant things, there was to be a
village cricket match, in which Allan was to play.
"And you, too, Tom," he said, for he never doubted his cousin's powers.
"It won't be a very grand match, you see, but it will be capital fun, and
the boys play"--
"Oh, I know!" said Tom.
"All right: that will be capital," said Allan; and Tom, who had never
held a bat in his life, found