CHAPTER II. 



1 The best laid schemes o' mice and men 

 Gang aft a'gley." 



are rather fussy people about 

 our house and belongings, and 

 at first thought, as most people 

 do, that a dog-house having all the mod- 

 ern improvements should meet the re- 

 quirements of even the most fastidious 

 animal. Such a house was therefore 

 ordered from the best-skilled artisan that 

 we could hear of. The tenement was 

 duly erected in the back yard, Richard 

 watching building operations with anx- 

 ious interest, and afterward greatly enjoy- 

 ing his little house-warming. 



About this time the rainy season came 

 on, and the nights were damp and cold. 



