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Show MR. BERGH'S CHRISTMAS POEM. Mr. Henry Bergh has written the following fable in verses, entitled "The Man and His Dog," which should be read and pondered over by all men: By force, oh man, thou reignst upon the earth. Boundless they power to harm? All creatures fear and shun thee from their birth, Thy friendship e'en inspires alarm. One day toward a river's bank, a man His dog was leading by a cord; All unsuspicious, cheerily he ran With eyes upturned towards his Lord. Poor beast! he little dreamed the muddy stream His master destined for his slave, A fate so cruel, soulless, unforseen, Fidelity's unhonored grave. A pause upon the brink, with stone in hand, The human brute his crime prepared; The dog at length began to understand His purpose, and with grief he stared. A splash is heard beside the slippery dock! The heartless effort is too great; And with his friend-as if his hate to mock-Falls in the stream precipitate. What did the faithful dog at sight of this? Did he alone they seek the shore Ah, no from out the foul and deep abyss, The dog his heartless master bore! Reader, which of the twain most soul possessed? Perchance you think the brute has none. Are faith and goodness in God's eyes unblest Because the form's unlike thine own? Proud mortal make haste the truth to learn, That virtue-though in aspect rude-Outshines all rank wherever it sojourn-Its signs are love and gratitude. |