精彩英语故事12

PAGE精彩英语故事12父亲一定能看到我赢了Ateenageboylivedalonewithhisfather.Thetwoofthemhadaveryspecialrelationship.Eventhoughthesonwasalways"warmingthebench,"hisfatherwasalwaysinthestandscheering.Henevermissedafootballgame.Thisyoungmanwasstillthesmallestoftheclasswhenheenteredhighschool.Buthisfathercontinuedtoencouragehimbutalsomadeitveryclearthathedidnothavetoplayfootballifhedidn’twantto.Buttheyoungmanlovedfootballanddecidedtohanginthere.Thesonwasdeterminedtotryhisbestateverypractice,andperhapshe’dgettoplaywhenhebecameasenior.Allthroughhighschoolhenevermissedapracticebutstillremainedabenchwarmerallfouryears.Hisfaithfulfatheralwaysinthestands,alwayswithwordsofencouragementforhim.Whentheyoungmanwenttocollege,hedecidedtotryoutforthefootballteamasa"walk-on."Everyonewassurehecouldnevermakethecut,buthedid.Thecoachadmittedthathekepthimontherosterbecausehealwaysputshisheartandsoultoeverypracticeand,atthesametime,providedtheothermemberswiththespiritandhustletheybadlyneeded.Thenewsthathehadsurvivedthecutthrilledhimsomuchthatherushedtothenearestphoneandcalledhisfather.Hisfathersharedhisexcitementandwassentseasonticketsforallthecollegegames.Thispersistentyoungathletenevermissedpracticeduringhisfouryearsatcollege,buthenevergottoplayinthegame.Itwastheendofhisseniorfootballseason,andashetrottedontothepracticefieldshortlybeforethebigplay-offgame,thecoachmethimwithatelegram.Theyoungmanreadthetelegramandhebecamedeathlysilent.Swallowinghard,hemumbledtothecoach,"Myfatherdiedthismorning.IsitallrightifImisspracticetoday?"Thecoachputhisarmgentlyaroundhisshoulderandsaid,"Taketherestoftheweekoff,son.Anddon’tevenplantocomebacktothegameonSaturday."Saturdayarrived,andthegamewasnotgoingwell.Inthethirdquarter,whentheteamwastenpointsbehind,asilentyoungmanquietlyslippedintotheemptylockerroomandputonhisfootballgear.Asheranontothesidelines,thecoachandhisplayerswereastoundedtoseetheirfaithfulteammatebacksosoon."Coach,pleaseletmeplay.I’vejustgottoplaytoday,"saidtheyoungman.Thecoachpretendednottohearhim.Therewasnowayhewantedhisworstplayerinthiscloseplayoffgame.Buttheyoungmanpersisted,andfinallyfeelingsorryforthekid,thecoachgavein."Allright,"hesaid,"youcangoin."Beforelong,thecoach,theplayersandeveryoneinthestandscouldnotbelievetheireyes.Thislittleunknown,whohadneverplayedbeforewasdoingeverythingright.Theopposingteamcouldnotstophim.Heran,hepassed,blockedandtackledlikeastar.Histeambegantotriumph.Thescorewassoontied.Intheclosingsecondsofthegame,thiskidinterceptedapassandranallthewayforthewinningtouchdown!Thefansbrokeloose.Histeammateshoistedhimontotheirshoulders.Suchcheeringyou’veneverheard!Finally,afterthestandshademptiedandtheteamhadshoweredandleftthelockerroom,thecoachnoticedthattheyoungmanwassittingquietlyinthecornerallalone.Thecoachcametohimandsaid,"Kid,Ican’tbelieveit.Youwerefantastic!Tellmewhatgotintoyou?Howdidyoudoit?"Helookedatthecoach,withtearsinhiseyes,andsaid,"Well,youknewmydaddied,butdidyouknowthatmydadwasblind?"Theyoungmanswallowedhardandforcedasmile,"Dadcametoallmygames,buttodaywasthefirsttimehecouldseemeplay,andIwantedtoshowhimIcoulddoit!"有一个男孩，他与父亲相依为命，父子感情特别深。男孩喜欢橄榄球，虽然在球场上常常是板凳队员，但他的父亲仍然场场不落地前来观看，每次比赛都在看台上为儿子鼓劲。整个中学时期，男孩没有误过一场训练或者比赛，但他仍然是一个板凳队员，而他的父亲也一直在鼓励着他。当男孩进了大学，他参加了学校橄榄球队的选拔赛。能进入球队，哪怕是跑龙套他也愿意。人们都以为他不行，可这次他成功了——教练挑选了他是因为他永远都那么用心地训练，同时还不断给别的同伴打气。但男孩在大学的球队里，还是一直没有上场的机会。转眼就快毕业了，这是男孩在学校球队的最后一个赛季了，一场大赛即将来临。那天男孩小跑着来到训练场，教练递给他一封电报，男孩看完电报，突然变得死一般沉默。他拼命忍住哭泣，对教练说：“我父亲今天早上去世了，我今天可以不参加训练吗？”教练温和地搂住男孩的肩膀，说：“这一周你都可以不来，孩子，星期六的比赛也可以不来。”星期六到了，那场球赛打得十分艰难。当比赛进行到3/4的时候，男孩所在的队已经输了10分。就在这时，一个沉默的年轻人悄悄地跑进空无一人的更衣间，换上了他的球衣。当他跑上球场边线，教练和场外的队员们都惊异地看着这个满脸自信的队友。“教练，请允许我上场，就今天。”男孩央求道。教练假装没有听见。今天的比赛太重要了，差不多可以决定本赛季的胜负，他当然没有理由让最差的队员上场。但是男孩不停地央求，教练终于让步了，觉得再不让他上场实在有点对不住这孩子。“好吧，”教练说，“你上去吧。”很快，这个身材瘦小、籍籍无名、从未上过场的球员，在场上奔跑，过人，拦住对方带球的队员，简直就像球星一样。他所在的球队开始转败为胜，很快比分打成了平局。就在比赛结束前的几秒钟，男孩一路狂奔冲向底线，得分！赢了！男孩的队友们高高地把他抛起来，看台上球迷的欢呼声如山洪暴发！当看台上的人们渐渐走空，队员们沐浴过后一一离开了更衣间，教练注意到，男孩安静地独自一人坐在球场的一角。教练走近他，说：“孩子，我简直不能相信，你简直是个奇迹！告诉我你是怎么做到的？”男孩看着教练，泪水盈满了他的眼睛。他说：“你知道我父亲去世了，但是你知道吗？我父亲根本就看不见，他是瞎的！”“父亲在天上，他第一次能真正地看见我比赛了！所以我想让他知道，我能行！”燕雀处室Theswallowsandsparrowsareverypleasedtofindaplaceontheroofofthehallfortheirnests.Themotherbirdsarefeedingtheirbabieswithpleasure,whichassumesasceneofpeaceandharmony.Buttheyhaveneverthoughtofthefollowingscene:thechimneyatthetopofthekitchenmightbreak,thefiremightleapuptotheroofandtheburningpurlingmightdestroytheirnests.Butthoseswallowsandsparrowsareunmindfulofthecomingdisaster.Theygoonwiththeirsuperficialhappinessbroughtbypeaceandcalm.燕雀处室燕雀为拥有屋顶下面的一个位置而欣慰不已。母鸟用叼来的食物喂养啁啾鸣叫的幼鸟，整个儿是一派欢乐自得的祥和景象。它们完全没有考虑到：炉灶上的烟囱有可能会炸裂，火苗将会窜上屋梁，烧着的椽将会摧毁它们的巢穴。不知大祸将要降临到自己头上的燕雀们正在安然自若地品味这表面上的安宁所带来的幸福。男孩和单车It’swonderfultobebackinmyboyhoodhometownagaintovisitwithmynowelderlymother.ItseemslikecenturiesagowhenIwasgrowinguphere.Backthen,thissmalltownwasjustabackdropthatformedtheunremarkableenvironmentinwhichIlivedmyeverydaylife.与年迈的母亲一起重游童年的故乡，是一件很美妙的事情。我在这里的成长像是几个世纪前发生的事情一样。回想当初，这个小镇只是我童年生活一个丝毫不起眼的背景。Mom’sdoinggreatforherage,butshe’smovingslowerthesedays.Afteralengthybutheartwarmingtalkinthedenaboutmywife,thekidsandhowwellworkisgoingbackinthebigcityfarfromhere,wehavereachedthepointofbeingalltalkedoutfornow.照她的年龄来说，母亲的身体还很好，但这些天行动迟缓了一些。我们在书房里进行了一次温馨的长谈，说到我的妻子，孩子，以及离这里很遥远的大城市里工作的事情。我们把现在所有的一切都说了个遍。Whataperfecttimetogoforawalkandgetsomefreshair.Theoutsideloudlycallsforalookaroundtheneighborhoodtoseehowthingshavechanged,andhowthingshavestayedthesame.AsIwalkdownthestreet,it’slikeI’monmytrustedbicycleridingaroundasayoungboy.I’monyetanothergrandmissiononmybikeagain.Oh,theplacesmybikecouldtakeme,anddid.这可是出门散步，呼吸新鲜空气的完美时刻。整个世界都在呼唤着我，要我看看周遭的一切，看世事如何变迁又如何保持原样。我走过街道，像是又骑上了我心爱的单车，回到了我的少年时代。我又要开始单车上的庄严旅程了。啊，那些单车带我去过的地方！There’sthesmallcornerstore,justaquickbikeridedownonestreetandupanother,whereIcangetanice-coldsodainaglassbottlewiththeredmetalcap.InsideisthelongcandyaislewhereImustcarefullyconsidermychoices;willitbeacandybar,orpackoffootballcardswiththebonusflatpieceofbubblegum,orahandfuloffireballjawbreakers?…Thefreedomtodecidecontinuesunabated¸onlythestakesarehigherwithtime,requiringproportionallygreaterwisdom.在那街角有一间小小的商店，就在骑车从一条街转进另一条街的地方。在那儿可以买到一瓶冰冻汽水，玻璃瓶，红色的金属盖子。商店里面是条长长的糖果长廊，我得认真考虑我的选择：是买一个糖果块、一套附赠口香糖的足球卡、还是一把火球样的硬球糖？自由决定的权利从未消减，只是随着时间的推移，这其中的利害关系越来越复杂，需要更多适度调配的智慧。There’sthebridgeoverthelazyriverwhereIlovetoparkmybike,andjustsitonthetallledgetothinkpenetratingthoughts,asIlookdowntheriverintotheexpansivehorizon.Howfardoesthisrivergo,andwhatisbeyondtheriver,andevenwhatisbeyondthat?MaybesomedayIcantraveltoexperienceitonmyownwhenIgetolder…ManyaretheplacesI’vesincetraveled,onlytoenlargemycuriosityfurther,asmyawarenessoftheunknownhasgrown.我经常把单车停在悠悠的河边，坐在高高的桥上，眺望宽广无尽的地平线，思考着我那些奇异的想法。这条河会流到哪里呢？河的前面是什么？前面的前面呢？也许当我长大了，我可以独自去探索……我去过很多很多地方，都只是为了扩大我的好奇心，因为越来越意识到我对这世界的无知。It’sonlyaquickridetoreachtheoldretireddoctor’shouse,whoselawnImowweekly.Hepaysmeamodestwagetohelpmaintainhislargeyard.Wealwaysenjoytalkingasweworktogether.Idon’trememberexactlyallthatwetalkedabout,butIdorememberthathealwayslistenedandIfeltappreciated.Hesuredidknowalotaboutwhatlifehasinstorethatiscommontoeveryman…Hisexampleofdeliberatekindnessandthoughtfulwisdomshowedmehowtopassonthesametoothersyoungerthanmyself,manytimesovertheyears.骑车到那个退休的老医生家里只要很短的时间，我每个星期都去给他修剪草坪。他给我微薄的报酬，让我帮忙打理他的大庭院。我们很享受工作时一起聊天的时光。我已经不能确切地记得我们到底说了些什么，但我记得他总是在聆听，这让我觉得自己很受尊重。他当然知道对每个普通人来说，生活将会是什么样子。很多年以来，他传递善意与智慧的榜样一直激励着我，让我把这些继续传递给比我年轻的人。Upaheadisherhouse,justthreehousesdownfromthatcorner.Isuredohaveacrushonher.Sheissolovelywithprettyblondhair.IneedtoridepastherhouseyetagaintoseeifImightfindheroutsidewhereIcouldmaybe,justmaybe,havethechancetotalkwithherafterschool.I’mnotsurewhattosaygiventhechance,butit’sworththerisk.Toobadsheneverreallynoticedmeatschool,eventhoughwesharedthesameclasses;Iwonderwheresheisnow…Yearslaterincollege,itwasjustasawkwardwhenIfirstmetmyfuturebrideandstruggledtostartaconversation,butthosemomentssurprisinglybecametheinitialsparkthatturnedintotherealcommunicationofournow25-yearmarriage.前方是她的家，拐角过去再过三所房子就到了。我确定我是是迷上她了。她有着美丽的金发，十分可爱。我骑着车一次又一次地经过她的门前，幻想着或许能碰见她出门，或许——只是或许，能在放学后有跟她说话的机会。我不知道这机会能否降临，但值得冒险。不幸的是，她在学校从来没留意过我，即使我们在一个班里上课。我很想知道她现在身在何方……几年后，当在大学里遇见我未来的新娘时，我还是那样笨拙地，试着去开始我们的谈话。然而那些时刻，很意外的，成为燃起我们如今25年婚姻的星星之火。Whereisthatspecialtree?Iknowit’ssomewherearoundherebetweenthesetwohouses,orisitthenexthouse?Iguessthetreeisnowlonggone.Havingpackedapeanutbutterandjellysandwichlunchinmybicyclebasket,I’msettospendalmosttheentiredayclimbingaroundinit,whereIcanthinkanddreamunrestrained.ItishereIhavefoundagloriousrefuge;eachlargebranchisitsownlavishroomcomprisingmyexpansiveestate.WhatarichmanIamtohavefoundsuchaninterestingplacethatIcancallmyown!Ilovetoclimbtotheverytopwherethehighestbranchissonarrow,ImustholdontightasIswaywidelywithitinthewind–becausethehigherIgo,themoreIcansee.Icanevenseepastthesupermarket,withaglimpseoftheoceanamilebeyondthat.I’mgladmymotherneverknewhowhighIdaredtoclimb…Eversincethen,Ihavealwaysfounditwellworthpayingthepricetoreachthevantagepointthataffordslife’sbestperspective.那棵特别的树在哪里呢？我知道它就在这儿的某个地方，在这两所房子之间，还是在下一座房子旁边？我猜那棵树已经消失很久了。那时我经常把花生酱和果冻三明治装好，放进车篮里作为午餐，出发来到这里。我几乎整天都待在树上，天马行空地幻想着。我在这儿找到了辉煌的庇护所，每一根粗壮的树枝都是一个宽大的房间，共同构筑成我的私人庄园。能够找到如此有趣的属于我的领地，我是多么的富有啊！我喜欢爬上最高的地方——上得越高，我才能看得越远。因为树枝太细，我必须得紧紧抓住它，随风摇摆。我的目光甚至可以越过商场，瞥见一英里外的海洋。我很高兴母亲从来不知道我爬得有多高。从那以来，我一直都觉得为了看见生活的光明远景，付出代价爬上那个制高点是十分值得的。Mybicycleenabledsomuchadventurealongthesafesidewalksandsleepystreetsofmytown.Itofferedgreatfreedomtoexplore.Thereweresomanyplacestoridemybike,includingspecialplacesthatonlyIknewabout.Therewereseeminglyendlessopportunitiesfordiscovery,compellingexperiences,andeventhethrillofimagineddanger.我的单车带着我在这个小镇经历了许多冒险，穿过安全人行道和安静的长街。它为我提供了探索的自由。可去的地方太多了，包括很多别人不知道的地方。似乎总有无尽的发现的机会、扣人心弦的历险，以及令人兴奋的想象中可能出现的危险。Mylifethenhadspacewideenoughtoridebutsecureenoughwithallitswell-definedboundaries,whereIpurposedtosetmycoursetowardscreatinganengaginglifetoenjoy.Thiswasaplacethatcouldn’thavebeenmoreadventurous.我的生活中现在有足够广阔的空间去行驶，但有了更加安全的定义分明的界限。我已计划好我的步伐，去创造、享受我充实的生活。这已经成为一个没有任何冒险性的地方。It’sbeendecadessincethosedaysofboyhoodexploration,andI’msurethatrusthaslongsinceconsumedmyoldbike.Buteventhougheverythingisdifferentnow,nothinghaschanged.Liferemainsanadventurethatcontinuallybeckons.AlthoughIammoreestablishednow,IstillfashiontheplacesIcallmyownsothatImaylivelarge.Istillmustplantosetadirectionandbecarefultonavigateawisepath.少年时代的探险已经过去了几十年，我的旧单车肯定也早已生满了锈。然而，虽然现在一切都不一样了，却其实什么都没有改变。生活本身就是一场冒险，不停地在向我们召唤着。尽管我现在被越来越多的人肯定，但我依然在不停地构筑属于自己的领地，以获得更大的生活空间。我仍然要计划前进的方向，小心地在智慧的道路上航行。Thiswonderfullittletown-thisspecialappointedplace-providedasignificanttimeofpreparationwhichwasamicrocosmofmylife,whereIlearned,withoutrealizingIwaslearning,themostimportantthingsbeforeIeverlivedthem.这个奇妙的小镇，这个特别的地方，为我提供了一段意义非凡的准备时间。这里曾是我的小小世界。我在这里接受润物无声的教育，学会了那些我此后生活中最重要的事情。(作者：FranklinB.Holleman,哲学博士翻译：梁明修)生活艰辛也不能丢下亲情和尊严WhenMaryVanBekewasgrowingupinthe1920s,shelivedinNewark,N.J.,andwastheoldestoffourchildren.HerparentswereimmigrantsfromEurope.AndasMarytellsherson,Charles,herparentsmanagedamodestlif在20世纪20年代，玛丽·范·贝克成长生活在新泽西州的纽瓦克市。她是四个孩子中的老大。她父母是欧洲移民。正如玛丽跟她儿子查尔斯说的一样，她的父母一直朴素地生活养家，直到有一天，一切都改变了。Mary'sfather,WilliamLuis,wasjust29whenhedied;Marywas5."Heworkedforanelectricalcompany,andhewasstandinginwater—andsomeonedroppedawireandelectrocutedhim,"shetellsCharles.玛丽的父亲，威廉·路易斯29岁就去世了，当时玛丽只有5岁。她跟查尔斯说，“他在一家电气公司工作，当时，他站在水中，掉下一截电线，把他触死了。”WhenWilliamdied,Mary'smotherwaspregnantwithheryoungestsister."Andsomymotherhadtogoouttowork,washclothesandcleanhousetotryandfeedfourchildren,"shesays.Asforclothes,thechildrenworewhateverMary'smother,EvaHornyak,managedtobringhomefromthehouseholdswheresheworked.威廉死时，玛丽的妈妈身怀六甲，腹中是玛丽的小妹妹。她说，“从此，我妈不得不出去工作，替别人洗衣服、打扫房子，以养活我们四个孩子。”玛丽的母亲，伊娃·霍亚克从户主那里讨来什么衣服，她的孩子就只能穿什么衣服。"Idon'teverremembergoingtothestoretogetapairofshoes,'causeMamacouldn'taffordit,"saysMary,now94.Still,hermother,whohadgrownupinCzechoslovakia,taughtMaryandhersiblingstotakeprideinthemselves."I'mnotsayingthatwelookeddowdy,"Marysays."Shesaid,'Youdon'thavetobedirtytobepoor.'Ialwaysrememberthat."现年94岁的玛丽说，“在我的记忆中，我们从未进商店买过一双鞋，因为妈妈买不起。”然而，在捷克斯洛伐克长大的妈妈还是教导玛丽和她的姊妹们要以自己为荣。“我是说，我们看上去并不邋遢，”玛丽说道，“妈妈说过，‘虽然穷困，也须整洁。’我对此念念不忘。”Buteventually,thefourchildrenneededmorethantheirmothercouldprovide.Theyweregrowingup,andtherewasn'tenoughfoodtogoaround.Marysaysthathermother"hadtoplacemeinahomewhereIwouldworkformykeep.AndIwouldcomehomeeveryotherSunday.Andthisishowwetriedtosurvive."但是，母亲所提供的并不能满足四个孩子的需求。她们在成长，食物不够吃的了。玛丽说，她妈妈“只好把我安置在一户人家工作，让我自己养活自己。我每两个星期，才有一个星期天可以回家。我们就是这样生活下来的。”"Howlongdidyouworkforthatfamily?"Charlesasks.查尔斯问，“你在那户人家干了多久？”"Twoyears,'tilIwas16,"Marysays.玛丽说，“两年，一直干到我16岁。”Andshehasavividmemoryofherlastdayonthejob.对于这份工作的最后一天，她仍记忆犹新。"Mamaworkedacrossthestreetfromthere,washingclothes.Anditwasahotsummerday,andshewaswalkingdownthestreet.AndIrantothefrontdoorandcalledherin,tovisitwithher."“妈妈在街对面洗衣服。那天酷暑难耐，她沿着街道朝我走来。我跑到前门，让她进来，跟她闲谈。”Thetwotalked—butthevisitdidn'tgodownwellwithMary'sboss.我们两人聊了下，但这次拜访让玛丽的雇主不开心。AfterEvaleft,Marysays,"Mrs.Blaisdellsaidtome,'Don'teverletthehelpcomeinthefrontdoor!'伊娃走后，玛丽说，“布莱斯德尔夫人对我说，‘以后别让帮手进家门！’"AndIsaid,'Well,Idon'twanttoworkhereifmymothercan'tcomeinthefrontdoor.'“我说，‘如果不允许我妈妈进这个门，我也不想在这儿干了。’"AndIpackedmylittlesuitcaseandcamehome.Icanrememberthatsowell."“于是，我整理了我的小行李箱，回家来了。这一切现在还历历在目。”TheLoyalDog忠诚的小狗"WhatshallIdo,"saidaverylittledogonedaytohismother,"toshowmygratitudetoourgoodmaster,andmakemyselfofsomevaluetohim?Icannotdraworcarryburdenslikethehorse;norgivehimmilklikethecow;norlendhimmycoveringforhisclothinglikethesheep;norproducehimeggslikethepoultry;norcatchmiceandratssowellasthecat.Icannotdiverthimwithsinginglikethecanariesandlinnets;norcanIdefendhimagainstrobberslikeourrelation,Towzer;IshouldnotbeofusetohimevenifIweredead,asthehogsare.Iamapoorinsignificantcreature,notworththecostofkeeping;andIdon'tseethatIcandoasinglethingtoentitlemetohisregard."Sosaying,thepoorlittledoghungdownhisheadinsilentdespondency.一天，一只小狗对他的妈妈说：“我该怎么做，才能向我们仁慈的主人表示感谢，让自己对他有价值呢？我不能像马那样背负重物；不能像奶牛一样给他提供牛奶；不能像羊那样用我的毛为他做衣服；不能像鸡鸭那样为他产蛋；不能像猫那样抓老鼠；不能像鸟儿一样为他歌唱；也不能像我们的亲戚——大黄狗一样为他赶走强盗。我就是死了，对我的主人也毫无用处，还不如大肥猪呢！我是无用的东西，没有存在的价值。我不知道怎样做才能引起他的关注。”可怜的小狗说着，失落地垂下头。"Mydearchild,"repliedhismother,"thoughyourabilitiesarebutsmall,yetaheartygood-willissufficienttosupplyalldefects.Dobutlovehimdearly,andproveyourlovebyallthemeansinyourpower,andyouwillnotfailtopleasehim."“好孩子，”他的妈妈说，“虽然你的本领不大，但你的好心肠足以弥补所有的不足。深深地爱主人，并在你力所能及的范围内用各种方式向他展现你对他的爱，就会使他快乐。”Thelittledogwascomfortedbythisassurance;and,onhismaster'sapproach,rantohim,lickedhisfeet,gambolledbeforehim,andeverynowandthenstopped,wagginghistail,andlookinguptohismasterwithexpressionsofthemosthumbleandaffectionateattachment.Themasterobservedhim."Ah!littleFido,"saidhe,"youareanhonest,good-naturedlittlefellow!"andstoopeddowntopathishead.PoorFidowasreadytogooutofhiswitsforjoy.妈妈的话使小狗得到了极大的安慰。主人过来了，小狗跑过去，舔他的脚，在他面前嬉戏，时不时地停下来，摇摇尾巴，非常恭敬而深情地看着主人。主人注意到了他，说道：“哦，小费多！你真是真诚可爱的小家伙。”主人边说边停下来拍拍他的头。可怜的费多高兴得几乎要发狂了。Fidowasnowhismaster'sconstantcompanioninhiswalks,playingandskippingroundhim,andamusinghimbyathousandsportivetricks.Hetookcare,how-ever,nottobetroublesomebyleapingonhimwithdirtypaws,norwouldhefollowhimintotheparlour,unlessinvited.Healsoattemptedtomakehimselfusefulbyanumberoflittleservices.Hewoulddriveawaythesparrowsastheywerestealingthechickens'meat;andwouldrunandbarkwiththeutmostfuryatanystrangepigsorotheranimalsthatofferedtocomeintotheyard.Hekeptthepoultry,geese,andpigsfromstrayingbeyondtheirboundsandparticularlyfromdoingmischiefinthegarden.HewasalwaysreadytoalarmTowzeriftherewasanysuspiciousnoiseaboutthehouse,dayornight.Ifhismasterpulledoffhiscoatinthefieldtohelphisworkman,ashewouldsometimesdo,Fidoalwayssatbyit,andwouldnotsuffereithermanorbeasttotouchit.Bythismeanshecametobeconsideredasaverytrustyprotect