The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-08-24

baker was not hurt after ALL Camp, came forth
from his hiding place, caPered, barked and re-
joiced Growler, however, had many OF those
properties Of observation which raise the canine
race SO high in the affections of man.
When Edward made his forenoon sortie from
the Office 10 look at his sleeping boy, Growler all
ways accompanied him and rested his fore-paws
on the head of the cradle. AS the babe grew
older, he loved TO try experiments upon the dogs
sagacity and the chds courage.
Sometimes Fred was put into basket, and
Growler drew him carefully about the room with
string between his teeth; as the boy advanced
in strength he was scatd upon the dogs back with
whip in his hand When my attachment to
Growler increased, new experiments were made,
particularly after the birth of Martha. She was
an exquisite little infant, and it seemed to US that
the dog was more gentle and tender in his move
ments with her, than with Frederick.-When two
months old, Edward sometimes arranged shawl
carefully about her, tied it strongly, and putting
the knot between the dogs teeth, sent her across
the room to me. No mother ever carried child
more skillfully. OF course all these associations
attached him to the infant, and after while he
deserted the rug, where Fairy again established
herself, and laid himself down and slept by the
infants cradle.
There is nothing more picturesque than the
image Of an infant and a large dog. Every one
has felt it. The little plump hand looks smaller
and whittier in his rough hair, and the round dim
Piled cheek rests on his shaggy coat-lkea flow
er on rock.
Edward and Frederick rode one afternoon to
Roxbury to take tea with a friend. Our acoman
in the kitchen wished to pass the night with a
sick person, after the evening lecture, and felt
no hesitation in leaving Martha in Polly's care.
We were prevented by an accidental delay, from
returning until ten o'clock. The ride over the
neck, although it was fine sleighing, appeared
uncommoly long, for had never been so long
from my infant. The wind was sharp and fros-
ty, but my attention was beguilded by sheltering
Frederick with my furs, who soon fell asleep
singing his own lullaby. AS we entered the
Square, we perceived that the neighboring houses
We're closed for the night, and no light visible,
but universal brilliancy through the crevices OF
our parlor shutters. Our hearts misgave us.
uttered an involuntary cry, and Edward said that
common fire light could not produce such an
effect. He urged his horse--we reached the
house, sprang for the door. TWAS fastened.-.
We knocked with violence. There was no an
swer. We looked through small aperture, and
both screamed in agony I" fire y In vain Ed
ward attempted to wrench the bolt or burst the
door-that horrible light still cleaned on U.s.
w = lleW 10 Sue. uOOT, anu lIlcu TcCOlcCtCO
that window was usually left open in a room
which was communicated with the parlor, for
the smoke to escape when the wind prevailed in
the quarter it had done this day. The window
was open, and as Edward threw down logs that
we might reach it, we heard stided howl. We
mounted the logs and could just raise our heads
to the window. Oh Heavens! what were our
emotions as we saw GROWER with his fcre-paws
stationed on the window, holding Martha safely
with her night dress between his teeth, ready to
spring at the last extremity, and suspending the
little cherub so carefully that she thought it but
one Of his customary gambols. With little ef
fort Edward reached the child, and Growler
springing to the ground, fawned and grevelled at
our feet.
Edward alarmed the neighorhood and entered
the window. Poor Poly had tainted in the entry
from the close atmosphere and excess of terror
She could give NO account Of the origin of the
fire, unless she had dropped aspark on the win
dow curtain. The moment blaze appeared, she
endeayored to extinguish it |; but, said she, the
flames ran like wdfre; when found could dol
nothing, snatched Martha from the cradle, and
ran into the entry to get out by the back door
after that recollect nothing
With prodigious efforts, the house was saved
though with great loss of furniture. But what
were pecuniary losses that night to US We were
sheltered by a hospitabe neighbor-our little
cherub was clasped in our arms, amid smiles and
tears and GROWER, our good Growler, with al
whimpering dream, lay sleeping at our feet,