He was good-natured, playful, and quiet by . turns, but as
ugly as any canine dared to be. But he had won me over to
his side, and I allowed him to stay; and afterwards we be ,
came close friends.
Nix was a waif to be sure; but he had the true instincts
of a good, noble animal. He evidently was a great student
of human nature, had seen its many sides, and was a com
petent.judge of character. Not only this / but he enjoyed
the beauties of the earth and its environment,—appreciat
ing all these things, understood more than many of us now
understand, more than I ever would have been able to under
stand, had it not been for his tuition.
Nix, as I have said, was seated with me in the window
seat, he on one side of the window, and I on the other; he in
a meditative mood,—meditating perhaps on some question
of great import to him, I, thinking of nothing in particular.
I had paid but little attention to Nix until he, apparently
wearied of thinking, or Ealing arrived at a solution of the
question in hand, arose, lazily stretched himself, and then
lay down sleepily, but with his eyes fixed intently upon me
as if to hold my attention.
As he lay thus I asked, "Well Nix, what is the matter
tonight?" He could only look his answer; but he seemed to say
sorrowfully, "Master, you are losing something. You do not
enjoy nature's works. You are dead to the beauties that at
this moment are evident to me on all sides."
He pointed out to me by directing his glances hither and
thither, to that object and to this, the wondrously beautiful
effect produced by nature's arrangement on this beautiful
star-lit night. He showed me the star-lit heavens which
never appeared so beautiful as now. He directed my gaze to
the evidences of the rising moon, full, round, and golden, as
she appeared among the trees which lined the crest of the
ridge, from behind Which she emerged. And as her beamS
spread luxuriantly in all directions, lighting up mother earth
with her mellow rays, how she played hide and seek . among