THE POLICE OF NATURE. 
239 
twelve months married. About six months since, an old 
dog, that had been the companion of her girlish days, had 
died from extreme age ; and the lady took the matter so 
much to heart, that her husband became alarmed. In addi- 
tion to that, he found the country seat they had just occu- 
pied terribly infested with rats, and knowing her extreme 
horror and disgust of these animals, he became seriously con- 
cerned, not only for his embryo son and heir, but more espe- 
cially for the safety of his amiable partner, who, from the 
natural delicacy of her constitution, and the precariousness 
of her then situation, was rendered infinitely more nervous 
and susceptible of the smallest fright or alarm than she 
otherwise would be. Taking all matters into consideration, 
he resolved upon buying her another dog, a pretty little pet, 
but not a spaniel, because (to use his own words) the one 
that died used to look more like a dirty old door-mat than 
a dog ; and besides that, the breed are perfectly useless. 'No, 
he would buy her a handsome little terrier — one that would 
kill rats ; then it would protect her, and perhaps do away 
with her alarm at these things ! Besides that, he had fre- 
quently read in the sporting journal, of the wonderful 
exploits of the celebrated Tiny ; and having some monetary 
matters to transact in the City, he determined upon starting 
at once for the metropolis, and if possible procure one of the 
little wonder's puppies. He arrived in London, and saw a 
dog-fancier. The result was the purchase of the present little 
hero, which at that time was about twelve months old, and 
named after its sire, Tiny. With all haste and delight the 
gentleman took it home, and introduced it to his lady, who 
upon first sight declared it to be an ugly little beast^ and 
wished it instantly to be taken away ; for it looked as if it 
had never had a meal in its life. This was a chilling 
reception, after so much trouble. But the poor little 
creature was cold and hungry, and in a strange place, and 
had just come of!" a long, noisy journey. It looked fright- 
ened and timid, its head and ears were down, its back 
cocked up, and it trembled all over ; indeed, it was seen 
altogether to disadvantage. As to its slender appearance, 
that was its natural formation. Nevertheless, the lady's 
repulse had thrown such a blank over the whole affair, 
that the gentleman began to think he had been running 
