Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-17
HONEST.
A WESTERN SKETCH.

young settlers, who had made up a hunt
ing match, set 0pt across the prairie for
The place Of rendezvous, After an hours
ride we came in sight of a new frame
building, when the winding Of the horn,
the tramp of horses, and the barking Of
dogs, warned the last Of our party of our
William King, before whose
house We reigned up, had been a few
years hack anong the frs raerohsiats Of
Philadelphia. Meeting with sudden re-
verse Of fortune, he had resolved TO seek
for more propitious luck in the far wes,
He had been among Us but two Summers,
with his young wife and an only child, a
beautiful boy of three years; whom he
called after the father Of his country
Little George elGng to his father as he
crossed tire yard, followed by his favorite
dog, sn cid spaniel, which he had brought
with him from Philadelphia.
Stay, George" said King, as he
mounted his nag" stay, and when father
comes back you shall have a ride" for
the boy was eager TO ride behind his fa-
ther; ''and you, Honest, mind your young
master till Ireturn."
The old dog here leaped up and licked
his masters hand in token of obedience,
as if conscious of his charge, and at the
fresh winding Of the bugle we set off for
the chase.
1t appears that after we were gone,
Margaret King had gone over to see a
sick neighbor, leaving the child asleep in
his cradle, and the house to the sole care
Of the faithful dog, who lying down by
the side of the cradle, began to doze,
when he was suddenly aroused by low
growl, and the next moment large she
wolf few at the child as he lay sleeping
unconscious of danger, until awakened
by the struggle made by the wolf to free
herself from the dog, who had resolutely
attacked and forced her from her intend
ed prey. During the fereest of the con-
fiict the afrighted child rushed out of the
! aPqsrtrtfo4lt, closely foaiowsd bJ the nusf
which ever and anon would snap at the
untiring dog that still hung about the
room from which there was but one out
let. The little boy retreated to the far
thest corner Of the room, expecting at
length To be torn in pieces but Honest,
as if he had reserved all his strength for
the last effort, bounced gnew upon the en-
ragged wolf, and after being dreadfully
lacerated, he succeeded in thfottling his
rayenous antagonist, and after mighty
struggle placed his charge beyond the
reach of danger by the death Of the foe.
George now lay down on some carpttirg,
afraid to pass the wolf, though dead, as
he had fallen directly across the doorway
between the two rooms. Honest drag
ged her to the opposite corners, but still
/. George would not move, and the weary
brute crawled down stairs into the yard,
and lay down to watch for our return.
Il Owing TO aaT accident which befel one
Of our party; we were obliged 10 go back
much earlier than we had intended
Margaret had not yet returned and as we
rode up 70 the gateway, the old dog arose
and tottered towards Us; his mouth and
feet were covered with blood. On enter.
ing the house, fsof sdspecfing shat really
had happened, and knowing that th,
ehild's attachment would never allow th,
! dog be away from him, our minds mis-
I gave US that he had destroyed him.
King cried " George" but received n,
answer, nor yet could we discover sin
gle trace Of the child. The frantic "a
ther rushed up stairs md guided by th,
blood 70 tire chamber; but, o. heavens
what a sight for tie despairifg parent
The blood tire cradle overturned, th'
clothes torn and bloodyi everything ven
' to confirm our suspicious Of the death Q
e the child
4 cold shadder came over each a. b
: entered the apartment. There stood lh
father for moment asionished al ib,
sight, his eyes roaming wildly aroaui
hin when suddenly turning, they Tel
upon poor Honest who bad followed .
into tire house and nos slood wagginI
his tail and licking the elosted blood iron
bis nose sRd mouth. In an instans ih'
/. rife which King bela 10 his hand "a
! raised and the fatalsFigser pressed, saeI
with mournf,d cry. Honest sprang from
!, the floor, and then staggering for sl4ile
slowly lurssed and entered the neat apart
. neui. a scream now atsraesed Our a.
lention, when following the sound, 81
J. was our ass0hlshment 70 aad large sha
|. wolf lying tern and dead in ons corner .
, ths roo1a, and then darling George sit
J. siag up On the eaFpeiing where Be iiaa