by Mark Twain

CHAPTER I

My father was St Bernard, my mother was collie, but Presbyterian what my mother told me, know these nice distinctions myself only fine large words meaning nothing My mother had fondness for such; she liked them, other dogs look surprised and envious, as wondering how she got education But, indeed, not real education; only show: she got the words by listening dining-room and drawing-room when company, and by going children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard large word she said it over to herself , and so was able it until dogmatic gathering neighborhood, then get it off, and surprise and distress them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble If stranger nearly sure suspicious, and when he got his breath again ask her what it meant And she always told him never expecting this but thought catch her; so when she told him, he one that looked ashamed, whereas he had thought going she The others were always waiting , and glad of it and proud of her, for they knew going to happen, because they had had experience When she told the meaning of big word they were all so taken up with admiration never occurred to any dog to doubt the right one; was natural, because, , she answered up so promptly seemed like dictionary speaking, and for another thing, where could they find out whether right or not ? for she only cultivated dog By and by, when older, she brought home the word Unintellectual, , and worked it pretty hard all the week at different gatherings, making much unhappiness and despondency; and that I noticed that during that week she was asked meaning at eight different assemblages, and flashed out fresh definition every time, which showed me that she had more presence of mind than culture, though nothing, She had one word which she always kept on hand, and ready, like life-preserver, kind of emergency word to strap on when she was likely washed overboard in sudden way--that word Synonymous When she happened to fetch out long word which had had its day weeks before and its prepared meanings gone to her dump-pile, if stranger there it knocked him groggy for couple of minutes, then come to, and be away down wind on another tack, and not expecting anything; so when he'd hail and ask her to cash in, I (the only dog inside of her game) her canvas flicker moment--but only just moment--then it would belly out taut and full, and say, as calm as summer's day, "It's synonymous with supererogation," or some godless long reptile of word like that, and go placidly about and skim away next tack, perfectly comfortable, , and leave that stranger looking profane and embarrassed, initiated slatting the floor with their tails in unison and their faces transfigured with holy joy

And it same with phrases drag home whole phrase, had grand sound, and play it six nights and two matinees, and explain it new way every time--which she had to, for all she cared for phrase; she wasn't interested in what it meant, and knew those dogs hadn't wit enough to catch her, anyway Yes, she was daisy ! She got so she wasn't afraid of anything, she had such confidence ignorance creatures She even brought anecdotes that she had heard the family dinner-guests laugh and shout over; and as rule she got the nub of one chestnut hitched onto another chestnut, where, , it didn't fit and hadn't any point; and when she delivered the nub she fell over and rolled floor and laughed and barked most insane way, while I that she was wondering to herself why it didn't seem as funny as it did when she first heard it But no harm ; the others rolled and barked too, privately ashamed of themselves for not seeing the point, and never suspecting fault was not and there wasn't any

You things that she was of rather vain and frivolous character; still, she had virtues, and enough up, She had kind heart and gentle ways, and never harbored resentments for injuries done her, but put them easily out of her mind and forgot them; and she taught her children her kindly way, and from her we learned also brave and prompt of danger, and not to run away, but face the peril that threatened friend or stranger, and help him the best without stopping what the cost And she taught us not by words only, but by example, and best way surest most lasting Why, the brave things she did, the splendid things ! she was just soldier; and so modest --well, you couldn't help admiring her, and you couldn't help imitating her; not even King Charles spaniel could remain entirely despicable in her society So, as , more to her than her education

CHAPTER II

When well grown, at last, sold and taken away, and I never saw her again She was broken-hearted, and so was I, and we cried; but she comforted me as , and said we were sent world for wise and good purpose, and must do our duties without repining, take our life as find it, live it best good of others, and never mind results; they our affair She said men who did like this noble and beautiful reward by and by in another world, and although we animals go there, well and right without reward would give to our brief lives worthiness and dignity which in itself reward She had gathered these things when she had gone Sunday-school children, and had laid them up in her memory more carefully than she had done with those other words and phrases; and she had studied them deeply, for her good and ours One may see that she had wise and thoughtful head, for all lightness and vanity

So we said our farewells, and looked our last upon through our tears; last thing she said--keeping it me remember it the better, --was, "In memory of me, when time of danger to another think of yourself, think of your mother, and do as do "

forget that ? No

CHAPTER III

such charming home ! --my new one; fine great house, with pictures, and delicate decorations, and rich furniture, and no gloom anywhere, but all the wilderness of dainty colors lit up with flooding sunshine; spacious grounds around it, great garden--oh, greensward, and noble trees, and flowers, no end ! And I same as member family; loved me, and petted me, and new name, but called me by my old one that was dear because my mother had given it me--Aileen Mavourneen She got it out of song; Grays knew that song, and said beautiful name

Mrs Gray was thirty, and so sweet and so lovely, imagine it; and Sadie was ten, and just like her mother, just darling slender little copy of her, with auburn tails down her back, and short frocks; baby was year old, and plump and dimpled, and fond of me, and never could get enough of hauling on my tail, and hugging me, and laughing out its innocent happiness; and Mr Gray was thirty-eight, and tall and slender and handsome, little bald in front, alert, quick movements, business-like, prompt, decided, unsentimental, and kind of trim-chiseled face that just seems to glint and sparkle with frosty intellectuality ! renowned scientist know what the word means, but my mother would know how to use it and get effects know how to depress rat-terrier with it and make lap-dog look sorry But the best one; the best one was Laboratory My mother could organize Trust one skin the tax-collars off the whole herd The laboratory was not book, or picture, or place to wash your hands in, college president's dog said--no, lavatory; the laboratory is quite different, filled with jars, and bottles, and electrics, and wires, and strange machines; and every week other scientists came there and sat place, and used the machines, and discussed, and made what they called experiments and discoveries; and often , too, and stood around and listened, and tried to learn, sake mother, and in loving memory of her, although pain , as realizing what she was losing out of her life and I gaining nothing at all; for try as , never able anything out of it at all

Other times I lay floor mistress's work-room and slept, she gently using me for foot-stool, knowing it pleased me, for caress; other times I spent an hour nursery, and got well tousled and made happy; other times I watched crib there, baby was asleep nurse out baby's affairs; other times I romped and raced grounds garden with Sadie till we were tired out, then slumbered grass shade of tree while she read her book; other times I went visiting neighbor dogs--for there were some most pleasant ones not far away, and one very handsome and courteous and graceful one, curly-haired Irish setter name of Robin Adair, who was Presbyterian like me, and belonged Scotch minister

The servants house were all kind and were fond of me, and so, as , mine was pleasant life There happier dog that , nor gratefuller one say this , is only the truth: I tried in all ways well and right, and honor my mother's memory and her teachings, and earn the happiness that had come , as best

By and by came my little puppy, and then my cup was full, my happiness was perfect It dearest little waddling thing, and so smooth and soft and velvety, and had such cunning little awkward paws, and such affectionate eyes, and such sweet and innocent face; and it made me so proud how the children and their mother adored it, and fondled it, and exclaimed over every little wonderful thing it did It did seem that life was just too lovely to--