The attention of a student of Life's problem was attracted, while passing on the street, to an incident that was engaging the pleased attention of nearly all others in the vicinity. This was the manifestation of intelligence on the part of a noble looking dog, and a horse, which was equally manifesting the same characteristic. The horse was in harness, and was waiting for his owner, who was transacting some business in a neighboring bank. The dog was standing in an erect position with fore paws against the nose of the horse, on either side a part of the time; and in connection with this there was an effort, seemingly, of communication of goodwill on the part of both horse and dog, in such intelligent, becoming ways as to defy description, but the meaning of which was perfectly clear to every interested beholder.
The man of business soon returned to his carriage; the horse proceeding according to his owner's will, with the dog in his accustomed place beneath the carriage, within a foot of the horse's clattering hoofs, thus closing this free entertainment. But the power of suggestion, which inheres in every transient action of life, attended this incident in the mind of the student.
A large building, with an extensive auditorium, where a famous musician was advertised to exhibit his skill as a violinist, was now reached, into which the student entered with others. At the appointed time, a large, rather elderly looking man came forward upon the stage, with a violin under his arm, and saluting the waiting people, immediately began playing upon his instrument of music. Soon, a more than ordinary hush crept over the audience; the low, sweet tones that followed as a part of the melody, caused a silence that bespoke the great interest of the listening multitude, until, so deep was the attention, so still the sea of eager, listening humanity, that except the sweet low refrain, that came in response, as the strings were swept by the master's bow, the stillness was as absolute as if the great hall was empty of all save the player himself, absorbed equally with others in the meaning and rhythm of the melodious sounds proceeding from the vibrating strings.
