The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-22
Foutb's Department.
Little Walter and his Dog Faithful.
BY CURNELIA J. ". JORDAN.

the nItcu states Navy. anu WIFI iilSt 81"
him in his little white sailor Jacket and Grim
son sash, on the lawn of 4 fashionable water
ing place. my eyes rested upon one of the
f,irest specimens of boyish beauty and child
hood grace it has ever been my privilege to
meet with. Walter had man! pets, and
among them-the dearest Of all. was noble
New Foundland dog. which he had brought
with him to the Springs not for his health
(as heard him solcnlnly avow to young
gentleman who was disposed to tcaze him
about his dumb f,vorite,) but merely to be a
c,,npanion in his rambl1s. and to take care
of him when he went out from his mother.
Many were the rOmps these two friends
took together. and many the times when,
tired of fun and frolic. they would lay their
heads on the same grassy pillow. and while
the boy slept the dog would keep tireless
watch over him. suffering not a creature to
approach. save the childs own father.
Sometimes they would take long walks to-
gcthcr and be gone such length Of time as
to excite the anxiety of little Walters invalid
mother. But invariably just before sunset.
or very soon after. tired pair might be seen
walking lcsurcy side by side up the road,
unmindful that anxious eyes would brighten
at their coming. ard grow brighter when they
came
Walter had taught his playmate many
a,s,sng and interesting tricks. lie could
walk with soldiers measured tread, lifting
his paws with great precision, and keeping
step with admirable correctness. to the great
amusement of bystandcrs who Glanced to be
present. Again. he would fall down, shot in
battle. and lie perfectly mctionlc>>. until. by
one word of his brave commander. he was
permitted to return again to this lft from
whence he had (noO departed. Then he would
hand his riy ht paw to shake hands. and bow
his head respectfully to the ladies'. for all Of
which he Was duly appla,.dcd. and received
double portions of bcef>teak and vcnison
outlets.
But the most striking evidence Of sagacity
and devotion ever saw him exhibit. was Civ
e. one evening when the two friends were. as
usual. promenading together on the lawn. \
number of persons having assembled around.
it was suggested. by way of rastme. that
some one should test the devotion of Faith
full. by pretending to abuse his master.
Little Walter being told Of the scheme.
cheerfully agreed to carry it out: and so it
was arranged that when 4 certain gentleman
approached him wit, i switch il his hand,
and he held it over him in threatening
manner. he must "act well his part. and
pretend to lie very much frightened. so as to
awaken the alarm of Faithful. tn" ruSc sue
c.cded beyond their expectation and much to
the discontinue OF the surprised assallant'
who had no sooner seized The child ard rais
ed his switch over his head. than furious
grow net his car. and instantly Il pair Of
sharp claws were buried deep il thc folds Of
his coat. tearing and scratching it beyond the
repair of "A stitch in time" The crowd
around were perfectly satisfied with the devo-
ton of Faithful but at that moment. DIR.
r.. the father of little Walter approach
ed. and being told Of the trick, said he could
repeat it without danger. /
We awaited the result and to our surprise
the sagacious brute offered 10 resistance. 9TH
err than pleading means. and looks OF the
most earnest and distressed sympathy. lie
seemed to discriminate AZ once between the
assumption of the stranger and the authority
of the parent, respecting fully the latter. He
did not presume to interfere. but stood gazing
in the most humble manner. first i'll the doc
tors face. and then into Walters with mute
language Of earnest appeal whic!. was unmis-
taxable.
Walter and | subsequently became great
friends, as we were at the Springs for many
weeks together, and readily understood, up
on closer acquaintance, how even poor
brute NAV learn to love 50 noble and daunt-
less boy. heard from him several times
after we parted that summer. and | heard OF
him that he was fulfilling the promise OF his
childhood, by growing up fearless. brave
and courageous youth, wearing in his bosom
the sacred amulet of truth. and guarding with
a soldiers vigilance the rich heritage of man
" virtues which had been cngrafted with pa
rental care upon the childhood soil of his
heart.
Years passed at length. and | no longer
heard from my little White Sulphcr playmate,
though thought often of him, and wonder
cd if he were still living. One evening a let
ter. bearing the post-marl Of Stockton. Cali
fornia. was placed in my hands. which, on
opening. found to BE from Walter R.
who was then travelling with widowed faith
err in far distant land 1t contained inform
alton of the death of Faithful, with a request
that would forward his cpitaph by return
mail. Here it is:
Beneath this tablet quiet lies
4 true and gentle friend
One who. unlike mankind too Off
Was FAITHFUL" to the end.