The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-09-21

heels.
1.-THE merchant, absorbed in some
reverie, wholly overlooked the real OBJ
Ject of his affectionate attendants impor-
tuniiy, but walked to the alarming appre-
hension that he was gone mad. Full of
this suspicion, in crossing a brook, be
turned back to look.if the dog would
drink. The animal was too intent of
its masters business to think of itself /;
it continued TO bark and bite with great
er violence 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
befall me /; but with what regret Oh,
could ! find any one to perform this cru
ell Office for me but there is no time TO
lose; J myself may become the victim
if | spare him."
with these words, he drew pistol
from his pocket, and with a trembling
hand look aim at his faithful servant.
He turned away in agony as he fired,
but his aim was too sure. The poor ami
NAL falls wounded; and weltering in his
blood, still endeavours to crawl toward
bis master, as if TO tax him with iagrati-
tude.
"The merchant could not bear The
sight; he spurred on his horse with a
heart full of sorrow. and lamented he
had taken a journey which cost him so
dear. Still, however, the money never
entered his mind; he only thought of
bis poor dog, and tried TO console him
self with the reflection, that he had pre-
vented greater evil, by dispatching a
mad animal, than he had suffered ca
lamity by his loss. This opiate to his
wounded spirit was Intellectual: am
most unfortunate" said he to himself;
=" had almost rather have lost my mon
ey 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 bis rashness and folly.
4" Wretch that | am | alone am to
blame. could moi comprehend the adj
monition which my innocent and most
faithful friend gave me, and have sac
rihced him for his zeal. He only wish
ed TO inform me of my mistake, aud he
has paid for his fidelity with his life.
$ Instantly he turned his horse, and
went off at full gallop to the place where
he had stopped. He saw, with half a.
yerted eyes, the scene where the trag-
edy was acted; he perceived the traces
(of blood as he proceeded; he was OPP
pressed and distracted: but in vain did
he look for bis dog--he 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 madness of despair. The poor
Idog, unable 10 follow his dear, but cruel
master, had determined to consecrate
his last moments to his service. He had
Ecrawled, all bloody as he was, to the
forgotten bag, and, in the agonies of
death, be lay watching beside it. When
he saw his master, he still testified his
10y by wagging his tail--he could do
no more--he tried to rise, but his
Strength was gone. The vital tide was
lebbrng fast, even the caresses of his
master could not prolong his fate for a
lew moments. He stretched out his
tongue to lick the hand that was now
ondling him in the agonies of regret, as
iIf TO seal forgiveness for the deed tina,
lad deprived him of life. He then cast
b look of kindness on his master, and
CLOSED his eyes forever.n
| GrGfitude.--ln the advance of the
French army in the fatal campaign a.
galnst Russia, French Colonel, willis
stroiling the suburbs of wilma, heard
cries of distress from house, and enter.
ing to ascertain the cause, he found -four
soldiers engaged in plumber and il-treat
ing an aged Jew and a young girl, who
appeared the only inhabitants. He in
stantly interiered, but the marauders
not being incliDed TO relinquish theil
prey, proceeded to blows, and the Colo
mel, who was an excellent swordsman
laid two of his assailants dead on the
spot, and drove the other two from the
house severely wounded; he himsel
received some slight wounds, and bal
grazed his cheek. The old Jew ant
his daughter were profuse 10 theil
thanks, and the Colouel, at their request
made their house his headquarters dur
ing the period his regiment remained il
wilma. Onthe return Of the remnan
Of the French army, oppressed with "a
tigue, want, and disease, the worn on
soldier in rags sought the dwelling of the
Jew, and with difficulty was recognized
SO completely changed was bis appear
| oDca Euarv cap,ioo shat L.