Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-02-10

W. wv
tice, to initiate them into their future busi-
ness) one of his children about four years
old. After traversing his pastures for a
while, attended by his dog, he was compel
led to ascend summit at some distance
As the ascent was too great for the child,
he left him at the bottom with strict in
functions not to move from the place. Scarce
ly, however. had he gained the height, when
one of the Scotch msts of frequent occur
renee, suddenly came on and almost chang
ed the day to night. He returned TO seek
his child, but was unable to find him, and
concluded a long and fruitless search by
coming distracted to his cottage. His poor
dog was missing in the general confusion.
On the next morning by daylight he renew
ed his search, but again he came back with
on. his child. He found, however, that du-
ring his absence his dog had been at home,
and, on receiving his allowance Of food in
stantly departed. For four successive days
the shepherd continued his search with the
same bad fortune, the dog as readily coming
for his meal and departing. Struck by this
singular circumstance, he determined to fol-
ioN VIC hD-t Nho btpditSd 10 ucuuf WIN nio
piece of cake. The animal led the way to
cataract at some distance from the spot
where the child had been left. twas a rug
ged and almost perpendicular descent which
the dog took, aud he disappeared in cave,
the mouth of which was almost on level
with the torrent The shepherd with diff
liculty followed but, on entering the cav
ern, what were his emotions when he beheld
the infant eating the cake which the dog had
just brought to him, while the faithful AMI.
NAL stood boy, cycling his young charge
with the utmost complacency From the
situation in which the child was found, it ap-
peared that he had wandered to the brink Of
the precipice, and then either fallen or
scrambled down, the torrent preventing his
re-ascen. The dog by means of his scent
had traced him 10 the spot, and afterwards
prevented him from starving by giving up
part, or, perhaps, the whole of bis own daily
allowance. He appears never to have quit
ted the child night or Gay, except FOR food, as
he was seen running at full speed to and
from the cottage.
Mr.. Hogg says, and very truly, that sin
gle shepherd and his dog will accomplish
more in gathering a flock of sheep from d
Highland farm than twenty shepherds coud'
do without dogs; in fact, that without this
docle animal, the pastoral life would be a
mere blank ltwould require more hands
to manage flock of sheep, gather them
from the hills. force them into houses aud
folds, and drive them to markets, than the
profits of the whole flock would be capable
Of maintaining. Well may the shepherd
feel an interest in his dog; he it is indeed
that earns the family bread, of which he is
himself content with the smallest morsel;
always grateful, and always ready to exert
his utmost abilities in his masters interests.
Neither hunger, fatigue, nor the worst
treatment, will drive him from his side, and
he will follow him through every hardship
without murmuring or repining. If one Of
hem is obliged to change masters, it is
sometimes long before he will acknowledge
he new owner, or condescend TO work for
lin with the willingness that he did for his
ormer lord but, if he once acknowledges
lin, he continues attached 10 him until
leath.
We will add another story Of the coley,
nd proceed. 1t illustrates the memory Of
he dog. A shepherd was employed in
ringing up some mountain sheep from
Vestmoreand, and took with him a young
heep dog who had never made the journey
efore. From his assistant being ignorant
4 the ground. ne experienced great difficult
y in having the Aocks stopped at the var-
'us roads and lanes he passed in their way
o London.
In the next year the same shepherd, ac-
ompanied by the same dog brought up
mother flock for the gentleman who had
he former one. On being questioned how
e had got on, he said much better than
he year before, as his dog now knew the
BAD, and had kept the sheep from going
p any of the lanes or turnings that had
iven the shepherd so much trouble on his
,rmer journey. The distance could not
ave been less than 400 miles
Button gives an eloquent and faithful ac-
cunt of the sheep dog: This animal,
li,hful to man. will always preserve por-
on of his empire and degree of superior
y over other things lie reigns at the
cad of his flock, and makes himself better
than the voice of the shepherd.
atety, order, and discipline are the fruits
his vigilance aud activity. They are
eope submitted TO his management. whom
e conducts and protects, and against whom
3 never employs force bat for the preseF-
llion of good order. If we consider that
lis animal, notwithstanding his ugliness
I'd his wild and melancholy look, IS supe-
or in instinct TO all others that he has
.clded character in which education has
little share; that he is the
ily animal born perfectly trained for the
ryice of others that. guided by natural
,wers alone, he applies himself to the care
our hocks, duty which he executes with
ngular assiduily, vigilance and fidelity;
al he conducts them with an admirable
tellirence which is a part and portion Of
mself; that his sagacity astonishes at the
me time that it gives repose to his mas
!, while i requires great time and trouble
instruct other dogs for the purposes 10
ich they are destined; il we reflect ON
'se facts we shall be confirmed in the
nion that the shepherds dog is the true
3 of na,me, the sock and model Of the
ole species" :