Chapter D: Appleton & Co. 200 Broadway

It is impossible to view the cheerfulness and happiness of animals and birds without pleasure; the latter, especially, appear to enjoy themselves during the fine weather, in spring and summer, with a degree of hilarity which might be almost envied. It is astonishing how much man might do to lessen the misery of those creatures which are either given to him for food or use or for adding to his pleasure, if he were so disposed. Instead of which he often exercises a degree of wanton tyranny and cruelty over them, which cannot be too much deprecated, and for which no doubt he will be one day held accountable. Animals are so capable of showing gratitude and affection to those who have been kind to them, that I never see them subjected to ill-treatment without feeling the utmost abhorrence of those who are inflicting it. I know many persons who, like myself, take a pleasure in seeing all the animals about them appear happy and contented.

Cows will show their pleasure at seeing those who have been kind to them, by moving their ears gently, and putting out their wet noses. My old horse rests his head on the gate with great complacency when he sees me coming, expecting to receive an apple or a piece of bread: I should even be sorry to see my poultry and pigs get out of my way with any symptoms of fear.

Let us take notice of the great variety of creatures which are made for our use; some for labor, some for food, some for clothing, some for pleasure. At the same time let us remember, that our right in these creatures is not absolute; we hold them from God, and he can deprive us of them whenever he sees fit, and whenever we abuse them:—and therefore the Spirit of God has given us this rule: “The merciful man is merciful to his beast.” And whoever abuses any of God’s creatures, or tortures them, or destroys such as are neither hurtful when they are alive, nor of use when they are killed, will have more to answer for than many usually think.

I hope none of you, after reading what I have written above will kill cats, or stone frogs or toads, as many naughty boys do; or rob birds of their nests and little ones, as you see those children in the picture are doing. No matter how much you may like to have the young birds, you should not touch them. Just think how your parents would feel if some giant, if there were such people, should come and carry you off and shut you up in a cage. Your parents do not love you any more than the birds do their little ones; then remember how they feel when you rob them.

DECEPTION PUNISHED.

There was an old woman who lived in the country, and who had two daughters, the eldest of whom was fourteen years old, and the youngest twelve. Their mother was often obliged to go to market to sell the produce of her small farm, and to leave her baby to the care of Anna, her eldest daughter. Anna was old enough to take care of the child, if she had liked the trouble, but that was not the case. As soon as her mother had gone, she placed the little creature in the cradle, and told Mary to sit by it for a minute or two, and she would return directly; but she seldom came back, till she heard old Dobbin trotting down the lane, and then she ran in, and, if her sister had the baby on her lap, snatched it up in her arms, so that her mother might think she had not left it.

Little Mary never told tales of her sister, though her mother was sometimes angry that she had not finished her task of knitting; and she could not help it, for the baby often cried, and would not stay in the cradle, and Mary was obliged to hold it on her lap all the time her mother was away.

One morning, the good woman was making ready to go to market, and as she had a great deal to do, she said that she should not return so soon as usual. So she put some food for the baby by the fire, to keep it warm, and told Anna to be careful to feed it if it cried, and to sing it to sleep. But Anna had something to do that she liked better. So away she went, and Mary hardly knew what to do; for the baby did nothing but cry. It was crying when the naughty girl put it into the cradle, and left it, but she did not trouble her head about the matter.

Poor Mary warmed the food, and then took the child upon her lap, and fed it as well as she was able, and as she had seen her mother do. At last it became quiet, and Mary began to sing lullaby with such a sweet little voice, that it fell fast asleep.

I do not think you will be sorry to hear that Anna’s naughtiness was now discovered. Her mother had forgotten something which she was to have taken with her; so instead of staying longer than usual, she came back half an hour sooner. She was much surprised to find Mary alone with the baby. Anna was not to be found, though she called and inquired for her all round the house; but she soon heard from her neighbors that this was the way she always did. So her mother, as she was of no use to her, sent her to a farmer’s house, where she could not play any of her tricks, but was made to work very hard; and Mary, as she grew older, became every year more useful, and lived very happy with her mother and the little baby.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS.