The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-03-22
jumped, and seemed to participate in his

alighted to rcpose himself under an a.
grecab!e shade, and, taking the bag of
money in his hand, laid it down by his
side under hedge, and, on remounling.
forgot it. The dog PERCEIVED his lapse
of recollection, and wishing to rectily it,
ran to fetch the bag, but it was too heavy
for him to drag along. He then ran
to his master, and. by crying, barking,
and bowling, seemed to remind him of
his mistake. The merchant understood
not his language; but the assiduous
creature persevered in its efforts, and af-
ter trying to stop the horse in vain, at
last began to bite hls heels.
The merchant, absorbed in some rev.
erie, wholly overlooked the real object of
MS affectionate attendants importantly,
but walked to the alarming apprehension
that he was gone mad. Full OF this
suspicion. in crossing brook, he turn
cd back to look If the dog would drink.
The animal was too intent on its mas.
ter's business to think of itself; it cor
tinued to bark and bite with greater vio-
lence than before.
"Mercy !" cried the afflicted mer-
chant, " it must be SO, my poor dog is
certainly mad what must do? must
kill him, lest some greater misfortune
befal me; but with what regret! Oh,
could ] find any one to perform this
cruel Office for me but there is no time
TO lose; | my sell may become the VIC
tim if spare him -
With these words, he drew a pistol
from his pocket, and, with trembling
hand, took aim at his faithful servant.
He turned away in agony as be fired,
bur his aim was too sure. The poor
animal falls wounded; and weltering in
his blood, still endeavors to crawl to.
wards his master, as if to tax him with
ingratitudc. The merchant could not
bear the sight; he spurred on his horse
with heart full of sorrow and lamented
he had taken journey which had cost
him so dear. Still, however the money
never entered his mind he only thought
of bis poor dog, and tried to console
himself with the reflection, that he had
prevented greater evil, by diSpatching
mad animal, than he had suffered
calamity by his loss. This opiate to his
wounded spirit was Intellectual -" |
am most unfortunate" said he To him
self, 81 had almost rather have lost my
money than my dog" Saying this,
he stretched out his hand TO grasp his
treasure. 1t was missing no bag was
to be found. In an instant, he opened
his eyes to his rashness and folly.
Wretch that am alone am to blame I!
| could not comprehend the admonition
which my innocent and most faithful
friend gave me. and | have sacrificed
him for his zeal. He only wished to
inform me of my mistake, and he has
paid for his fidelity with his life"
Instantly he turned his horse, and
went of at full ga!lop to the place where
he had stopped. He saw with half a.
verted eyes, the scene where the tragedy
was acted he perceived the traces of
blood as he proceeded; he was oppress-
cd and distracted; but in vain did he
look for his dog-lle was not to be seen
on the road. AT last he arrived at the
spot where he had alighted But what
were his sensations! HIS heart was ready
to bleed; he cursed himself in the mad
ness Of despair. The poor Dog, una
bic 70 follow his dear, but cruel master,
hid determined to consecrate his last
moments to his service. He had crawl
ed, all bloody as he was, to the forgot
ten bag, and, in the agonies Of death, he
lay watching beside it. When he saw
his master, he still testified his Joy by
the wagging of his tail---he could do no
more--he tried to rise, but his strength
was gone.- The vital tide was ebbing