“Tony-Dog”

ONY-DOG" 139 day once more put on its cooling garb. From that time until dusk I followed them. "As I brought them into the corral at dusk, my father stood at the gate ready to count them. Three hundred and seventy-four head. I had never lost one. Father had never missed count ; he was an expert. I learned to feel a certain pride in my ability to take care of them. It never occurred to me that there ought to be any missing. "I remember this as if it had happened yesterday. Father's voice, 'Drive them out again; one short.' No, I thought; it couldn't be. Father had missed one in his count. But the second count did not change the result. "Tony-dog and I were standing close by. The dog had a look of deep satisfaction shining in his eyes. He had done a day's work and these fellow creatures, of whom he was master, were safely corraled for the night. "Father's eyes rested upon Tony and finally upon me. There was a question in them. Not a smile. A look that said plainly, 'Where is that sheep ? You have failed in your trust. Explain.' "I have always felt that father was just a little severe on that occasion. No matter that I should tell you all that he said ; but he put it up to Tony-dog and myself to find that sheep. The missing animal was valued at fifty dollars by its owner and we'd have to make good or produce proof of its death. "The next day father drove away on a four days' journey to dispose of the wool clip. As he left he called to me. I approached him where he sat in the buckboard. 'You must find that sheep while I am gone. You understand. I'll not stand for carelessness.' "He drove away. I had tears in my eyes. Tony-dog raised up and placed his fore paws upon my chest. His look was sympathetic. He understood harsh words. He wanted to comfort me and he did. I placed my hand upon his head and we resolved together that we'd find the sheep before father returned. ' Steve hesitated here as though in reverie. I hastened to ask him if he was able to keep his resolution. "Yes," he said slowly, "Tony kept our resolution. We searched everywhere for three days without results Through the great bunches of wheat grass. Through patches of service berry bushes In every gully and washout. But we found no sheep either dead or alfveg On the fourth day, late in the afternoon I sat on a ridge that overlooked the road for several me.1^ see the dust of father's approaching outfit returning to the ranch The sun was still an hour above the horizon and it would be equally as long before father arrived. "I had not found the sheep ; it worried me ; I did not care to see my father. I longed to stay away from the house forever.

140 IMPROVEMENT ERA The speck of dust down the road became larger ; I could now distinguish the color of the horses. "Suddenly Tony-dog came out of a clump of bushes toward me. He licked my hand and ran back. I still watched the approaching wagon. Back came the dog; anxiety written on his face. He licked my hand and gave a low, coaxing bark. His manner was a little strange but I was too intent upon the returning buckboard. "The third time he ran back I followed into this tangle of bushes and found our lost prize with Tony-dog gazing upon him with a look of absolute pride. He had kept the resolution. The big prize sheep was dead ; it was too bad, but being dead, we were very glad to have found him. In his ear was the tag which proclaimed his ownership. I cut off his ear. It was the only evidence I needed. Then I whistled. All the world became suddenly bright. No, there is no wonder we love our dogs." Chatterton "They, the young and strong who cherish'd Noble longings for the strife; By the roadside fell and perish'd, Weary with the march of Life." Let me sleep ! Too hard has proven the way. I could not steer With throbbing brow my driven, wearied feet Athwart the intricate maze. Joy's burnish'd wings I knew in Dreams, but might not taste her cup. Hope threw a posy from her clamb'rous height, Then left me trackless in the wilderness. A Star, my heart faints for Fate shrouds in mist. I strove in vain, in vain to find the Light ! — Mine eyes are weary, and my feet grow slow — Let me sleep. Florence L. Jones. LONDON, ENGLAND.

Self-Denial BY PROF. J. C. HOGENSON, OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE "Abide with me, 'tis eventide, The day is past and gone; The shadows of the evening fall, The night is coming on; Within my heart a welcome guest, Within my home abide. "Abide with me, 'tis eventide, Thy walk today with me Has made my heart within me burn, As I communed with Thee. Thy earnest words have filled my soul, And kept me near Thy side. "Abide with me, 'tis eventide, And lone will be the night, If I cannot commune with Thee, Nor find in Thee my light. The darkness of the world, I fear, Would in my home abide. Oh, Savior, stay this night with me — Behold, 'tis eventide." This sweet song expresses some of the most beautiful thoughts that it has ever fallen to my lot to read and ponder upon. "Abide with me, for behold 'tis eventide." As we travel on life's journey, do we live in such a manner that we invite the Spirit of the Lord to abide with us ? If we do, then we will be spared many of the temptations and pit-falls of life, and God will be with us when the eventide of life comes to us. If we are not so living that the Holy Spirit can abide with us, and direct us with the whisperings of its still small voice, and we cannot commune with him nor find in him our light, then we may indeed fear the darkness of the world. If the Holy Spirit is to abide with us and guide us in our actions and walks through life, our conduct must be clean and