The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-08-05
CHAPTER ii.

CHAPTER III.
/ could not forget the dear bird, and |
confess. though it may provoke your
smiles, / long believed | should meet him
again under similar form. An adven-
ture with a little dog brought my loss
with renewed vividness into my mind
Fatigued one evening with walking in
the Cathedral field, took seat on a
bench under the spreading chest t.
nut-trees, in order to view those who
for pleasure were promenading up and
down before me. Without my having
noticed it y beautiful young dog had
crept close to me. He gently rubbed
himself against my feet, as if he desired
to show me marks of fondness, although
gave him no special notice. AT length
he carried his familiarity SO far that he
raised himself up and placed both his
paws upon my knee. beheld the friend
" animal with astonisiiment. He seemed
to address mute language to me by
means of his eyes, and wagged his tail
in the most friendly manner. / mme-
diately conceived the warmest affection
for this little dog. | eagerly fondled
him. He was very handsome his hair
was snow white, soft and silky, with IA
patch of raven black on his flank and
head. While we caressed each other
stranger, dressed in travelling garments,
came near. and cried out with displeasure:
g Beauty p The dog appeared terrified,
and quitting me went submissively to
his master. aud from him returned tim
idly and slowly to me.
:. How comes it, my friend" said the
stranger, :" that the dog knows you p
Have we while travelling met somewhere
before -
1t is almost impossible this should
have ever happened" | answered Il
have never before beheld your dog, and
have never been from home on any trav-
els.''
This astonishes me-" returned the
stranger; " now observe, for the first
time, this creature give caresses to a
stranger"
He called the dog to him and went
away, followed the couple involuntarily.
Beauty once more sprang back to me
with friendly barking, and ran in large
circles around his master and myself.
A couple of my acquaintances met me
as | walked, and we became absorbed in
conversation. Beauty and his mastery in
the mean time, went farther on their way
Late in the evening | returned home
A singular dream unfolded itself TO me
during the night. 1t seemed as if | was
walking in my fathers garden, and with
my father at my side. related to him the
little history Of my bird He listened
with pleased attention, and then pointed
to the wicker-work of the trellis, that
separated the garden from the court
yard, he SAID Yonder is thy beloved
bird" | looked, and on the other side
of the trellis | observed the white
Beauty, who seemed to be seeking an
entrance into the garden. | hurried
thither with all speed and opened the
gate. Beauty sprang towards me, and
in the midst of our reciprocal caresses |
awoke.
Even after being broad awake the
dream held possession of my mind in
the hveliest manner. 1t seemed to un-
ravel the secret of the dogs extraordinary
friendship for me. Even at the hazard
of self-deception, found myself bellev-
ing that the soul of my dear bird now
animated Beauty's graceful form and was
inspired with all its former inclination
for me. | derived SO much pleasure
from the deception that could not will
lingly give it up. was just going 10
leave my bed chamber, ind having reach
ed the door | opened it, when Beauty
sprang towards me. For a moment |
gazed at him full of astonishment. He
had abandoned his master, had glided
into our house. and had most probably
passed the night before the door of my
sleeping room. Enraptured | raised up
the affectionate animal, and shedding
joyful tears, pressed him to my heart.
All those thoughts that little while be-
fore seemed only an illusion were now
confirmed in my mind Beauty's soul
was the same as that of my bird No
doubts ranged themselves in opposition
to the transporting convictions. On the
contrary, everything concurred to
strengthen them. Beauty never quilted
me /; nor did he or ever behold his for
mer master again. l will not attempt to
give you description of my JOY. One
singular occurrence, however, l must re-
late, though to you it may seem only an
accident
On the first evening. near my own
bed. prepared soft couch for my new
companion. There | bad no doubt
should find him on the following morn