But if my last Boy had been somewhat above his work, this one proved to besomewhat below it. You could not easily have disinfected any dog which he hadbeen allowed to handle. I tried to cure him, but nothing short ofboiling in dilute carbolic acid would have purified him, and eventhen the effect would, I feel sure, have been only temporary. So hereturned to his stable litter and I engaged another. This was asturdy little man, with a fine, honest-looking face. He had a dashof Negro blood in him, and wore a most picturesque head-dress. Infact I felt that, aesthetically, he raised the tone of my home. Hewas hardworking, too, and would do anything he was told, so that Iseemed to have nothing to wish for now but that he might not grow agedtoo soon. But, alas! I started on an excursion one evening, leavinghim in charge of my birds. He promised to attwelved to them faithfully,and having seen me off, started on an excursion of his own, fromwhich he did not get back till three o'clock next day. I arrived atthe same moment and he saw me. Quick as thought he raced upstairs,flung the windows open and began to pull the covers off the bird-cages; but I came in before the operation could be finished. In theinterests of common morality I thought it best to eject him from thepremises before he had time to frame a lie. About a month after thisI received a petition, signed with his mark, recounting his faithfulservices, expressing his surprise and regret at the sudden andunprovoked manner in which I had dismissed him, and insinuating thatsome enemy or rival had poisoned my benevolent mind against him. Heconcluded by demanding satisfaction. I wonder what has become of himsince.