Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-03-09
A Rare Dog Story.

year, and well remember the circumstance
gentleman, whose country-seat stood within
six miles of my cottage on the moor kept
fine mastiff dog. By day, he was chained up
near the house; by night, he was loose, to
range through the garden and enclosures, a
terror to evil-doers, but kindly affected to all
such as do well. Now, whether it was natu-
raj instinct, (for wolves are only wild dogs
or whether he had received some real or sup
posed affront from the sheep fraternity, new
er could learn; for though the dog had Ian
guage of his own, and in which he conversed
very fluently at times, yet must confess, |
could better understand the language of his
eyes, (dogs have very expressive eyes,) than
the language of his lips. BE this as it may,
one norning he was accused of having muir
dered two of a neighbor's sheep. His master,
unwilling to take up an evil report against his
faithful watch dog, had the trial postponed to
Monday next, as they say in court.
On the following night, however, another
murder was committed. This time the fact
was too clear to admit doubt Hero was
brought in guilty, not by verdict of his peers,
but by convention of two-legged animals,
who were too dull to appreciate his motives
and too blind to sympathize with him under
the circumstance; neither had they courtesy
to ask, as had been the custom in all civilized
communities, ever since the DAYS of Haman.
who, himself, was strung up fifty cubits, if he
had any objection to make against being hung,
but straightway they proceeded to execution.
His master, while tear crossed his eye-ball
says,
John, get stout piece of rope. Hang
Hero behind the barn, so as not to be seen
from the house.
Having spoke thus, he entered his dwelling.
Hero heard his sentence with the same philo-
sophie Indifference that have heard some
two-legged animals receive theirs in the Hall
of Justice in the Park. He never opened his
mouth but, thinks he, there will be long
respite between the sentence and the hanging
day. So, without speaking word, he clear
ed stone fence five feet high. Der hills and
dales, DER fields and floods, he flew as with
wings of the wind. He never drew up till he
entered the city of refuge; here the avenger
of blood dared not enter
You have read in that Book, for which all
other books were made, man drew bow at
a Uenture; the unerring eye of OmnipOtence
became pilot to that shaft it entered between
the Joints Of his armor, and the proud monarch
sunk dead in his chariot The same unerring
eye directed the flight Of his dog to the spot,
where, after an absence of nearly seven years,
he was the means of saving the life Of his
master, as you will see the sequel.
1t came 10 pass, when nearly seven years
had expired since the fright and flight of He
70, (no doubt the poor dog was scared enough,
when he heard the order for his Immediate OK
ecution) that his late master was sojourning
on the borders of Scotland and England. 1t
was winter, and dark in that climate at p.
M. He put up at a tavern by the way side.
AS soon as he dismounted, and went into the
stable TO see that his horse was cared for, he
was followed by large mastiff dog, who, by
every means that dog could invent, cndeav-
ored to draw his attention. The gentleman sat
down in the hall, the dog by his side, when
he began to think there was something strange
in the dogs attentions and manner: He put
his hand on the head Of the dog and spoke
kindly. The dog, encouraged, laid his paw
on his master knee, and looked earnestly in
his face. Recollections arose in the memory
Of the master, and he exclaimed in surprise,
Why Hero, are you here g Hero was So
pleased at the recognition, that he almost
leaped on his masters back. Whether the
landlord was informed OF the merits Of the
case, or not, my informant did not say. Al
any rate, Hero and his master were never to
separate from that hour Hero followed his
master in the bedroom, when, seeing him about
TO undress, he seized the skirt of his coat with
his teeth, and drew his master towards clos
et On opening the door he discovered the
corpse Of man suspended against the wall,
He saw his danger, and made preparations ac-
cordingly.
This matter occurred shortly after the re-
turn Of the army from America, after the war
for Independence. Many of the .disbanded
soldiers took to robbing on the highways, and
gentlemen always travelled well armed. lie
saw that his four pistols were in right trim,
piled everything movable in the room against
the door, and sat down to waitthe result
At midnight, there was a knock at the door
vial Of medicine which was standing on the
mantle piece was wanted for'one of the family
who was taken suddenly i'll. Hero growled,
as if to say, there are two of u.s. Mr.. Nor
ton (Which was the gentleman's name,) in
formed the assailant he was prepared with
firearms, and would shoot the first man that
entered. Presently, he distinguished the
voices Of three men, when, after some further
parley, an axe was sent for to break in the
door. At this critical moment the sound OF
carriage wheels was heard from afar the
robbers paused : Mr.. II. thrust his head out
of the window, and as the carriage approached
halIoed, at The topof his voice. They heard
his cries and stopped, when the robbers fled
BY the back door. There were four men in
the carriage. They secured three womeni
whom they found in the house, and lodged
them in JAIL By their information, the men