OUR DOGS. 127 



marks on the scenery, nor join in the conversation of her 

 young mistresses, seemed to her a piece of caprice without 

 rhyme or reason. So every once in a while she would ex 

 press her mind on the subject by a sudden dismal little 

 whine ; and what was specially trying, she . would take the 

 occasion to do this when the cars stopped and all was 

 quiet, so that everybody could hear her. Where s that 

 dog ? somebody s got a dog in here, was the inquiry 

 very plain to be seen in the suspicious looks which the 

 guard cast upon us as he put his head into our compart 

 ment, and gazed about inquiringly. Finally, to our great 

 terror, a railway director, a tall, gentlemanly man, took his 

 seat in our very compartment, where Miss Florence s basket 

 garnished the pocket above our heads, and she was in one 

 of her most querulous moods. At every stopping-place she 

 gave her little sniffs and howls, and rattled her basket so 

 as to draw all eyes. We all tried to look innocent and 

 unconscious, but the polite railroad director very easily 

 perceived what was the matter. He looked from one 

 anxious, half-laughing face to the others, with a kindly 

 twinkle in his eye, but said nothing. All the guards and 

 employes bowed down to him, and came cap in hand at 

 every stopping-place to take his orders. What a relief it 

 was to hear him say, in a low voice, to them : &quot; These 

 young ladies have a little dog which they are carrying. 

 Take no notice of it, and do not disturb them ! &quot; Of 



