XXII 
NEW NEIGHBORS 
In the rear of our yard there was a very tall 
fence post with a flat top, and on it I loved to 
sit in the sun and watch the chickens in the ad- 
joining yard. 
Near the chicken coop was a kennel wherein 
lived Napoleon, a black shepherd dog, whom they 
called “ Nap ” for short. When I first knew Nap 
he was chained almost constantly, and often for 
days at a time he was without food or water. His 
howls and cries were pitiful, and all the neighbors 
talked about what an outrage it was to treat a dog 
so mean. One day our mistress called Nap’s 
mistress over to the fence and engaged her in a 
friendly talk, and after a while she asked why Nap 
was always chained. The lady said it was because 
her husband considered him a very valuable dog, 
and did not wish to lose him. 
“ Have you ever tried to bind him to his home 
with love and affection ? ” said mistress. “ I have 
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