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“A dog is a very singular animal,” said the owner
of Fido to old Roger, after they had marked the affectionate
gambols of the faithful creature, who now, in
weariness, had come to lie at his master's feet; “a very
singular animal. Now you see I will flog him severely
(suiting the action to the word); and now you see him
licking my hand in return.”

Old Roger was moved.

“Yes,” said the old man severely, “and were I the
dog I would give you a different sort of licking from that.
He is the noblest animal of the two, and ought to change
places with you. Let me tell you, sir, that a man who
by a mere accident occupies the superior position, and
out of pure wantonness abuses the power he may possess,
or presumes upon that power to hurt the helpless, is a
scoundrel, sir! That dog, there, is a king to him.”

And the old man turned away, leaving Fido and his
master to experience perhaps the benefit of the lesson.
There is a moral in it.

p677-158

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