Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-28
The Dog of Brussels.

1.-THE bniIAinc is extensive, and occupies three
i sides of a square, the fourth being open towards
the parks. There is large smooth court in
front, which forms pleasant promenade; but
in one corner oft, and somwhat marring the stat
ellness of the scene, noticed a common wood
en- dog-kennel, which l supposed to belong to
Watchdog. Humble as was this little tene-
ment it was connected with an incident, of
which had the following histosy from my To-
quacious conductress. "Here,' she said, sin
this Place was the fercest fighting in the rev.
olution Of 1880; for several days after the bat
tie the ground was red with French and Belgi-
an blood.
Just then shaggy looking dog, someWat
resembling large terrier but as thought an
ugly specimen of his race, walked slowly to
wards us. He looked good natured, and stop
ped to pat him.
say said the old woman, ':nadam nav
caress him now with safety, as he is not on tie
spot ..4
"What spot e Inquired; and in reply she
told me the following anecdote. "In the rev.
olutionary army that assembled to oppose the
Dutch, who invaded our city in the month of
September, 1880, was young French officer
who, wherever he vert, was followed by the
dog you see. The poor lad was in the thick
est of the fighting on the fatal 2lst, and fell
covered with wounds, on spot which | viii
show you"
She led me towards the centre of the court,
but the dog went before, and lay down near
smooth stone, looking up at us with an express
ion of fierce defiance in his eyes.
'.Alr, poor fellow y said the old lady, "we're
not going to disturb YOU. Don't go near him
madame. while he's there. This was the spot
where his masters dead body lay, and he sat
beside it, licking the bleeding wounds. At
length it was removed for burial, but the dog
followed it, aud stayed for three days beside the
grave. At the end of that time he returned
here, and lay down where you see him now
growing saragely and attacking any one who
tried to dislodge him Some of the people a
bout beat him with sticks, and drove him away;
the next day he returned, but was again cruelty
hunted OF. When he came back fora third
time, he was worn to a skeleton from fatigue s.
hunger, and looked as if he would never rise
again from his masters death-place. Ny hus-
band and had gone away for awhile, or we
would not have suffered the creature to be ill
treated: but one of the directors, who is very
humane man, CHANGED TO pass by just as rab-
bic of boys We're preparing once more to tor
ture the poor faithful dog. He Immediately
dispersed them, and having inquired into the
circumstances conn ected with the animal, he
ordered that he should never be moiested: that
the kennel which you see should be built for
him; and procured small sum to be allowed
weekly for his maintenace. He soon recover
cd his strength, and you may see by his ap
pearance that he is taken care of. Indeed he
is well known in the town. and the little mas
tiers and misses that play in the park delight in
bringing him sweet cakes, of which he is very
fond. However, they know very well that al
al 10, iI.,la
king up and down, they must never attempt to
touch him when lying on his chosen spot, from
which, indeed, he never stirs in any direction
farther then abouta hundred yards. Many of
his young friends have tried 10 entice him to a
greater distance: and we have sometimes al
lowed him TO be hungry, and then coaxed him
on with his most favorite food; but in vain. He
always turned back, and lay down where his
master fell. Seven years have now passed a
way, but it is still the same the dumb creature
never forgets."
During my stay at Brussels / often walked
by the place, and never missed the dog from
his accustomed haunt, nor saw him pass the self
imposed limits mentioned by the good woman.
Her story was confirmed to me by others, so
that car see no reason to doubt its truth.
do not know the name of the dog of Brussels: |
his faithful limbs have no doubt long ere now
mingled with the dust, but memory often re-
calls the story of his enduring love.
Perchance the tidings of his young masters
fall brought darkness TO the chambers of some
vine-covered cottage of FraDce-robbed fair
faces of their smiles, and covered graceful forms
with the garb of woe. They wept and la |
mented; but year passed over, and the broth
ers and sisters lauged and conversed as before.
The vacant place of the dead was no longer
needed and his name had become an upsuoIen
word. Another year, and his fair affianced one
had consented to become anothers bride. No
tear in that bright eye no shadow on that smooth
brow,now told that even one sorrowing thought |
ever turned towards has lonely grave.
Years still passed on, and even in the wild
owed mothers heart the memory of her soldier |
boy waxed dim.
She did not forget him quite, and often some |
trifing object or event would serve to renew
her grief. But at other times she could sit and
smile, pleased and contented as though that |
sharp arrow of bereavement had never been felt |
The brothers aud sisters had each other still
the fair betrothed had another love- the moth
er had many sons-the dog had but one mas
ter. Fond and faithful to the end, with con-
stancy that knew no change that dumb crea-
lures cold vigils on the stone at Brussels put
eyermore to shame our Wanted human love. |
The statement in circulation that SANTA
ANNA was born in 1904 is incorrect. The |
Mexican chief is about sixty years of age. Mr..
PoInsett, who was in Mexico in 1922, dined
with Santa Anna then Governor of Vera Cruz, |
and about 80 years old. Mr.. Poinsett says:
'sSanta Anna Young man at the head of the |
deseitory forces of the country, succeeded in
driving the Royaists out of the city. The first |
Ia eft irhf