The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-04
From the Home journal.
Tales of tho South.
III SOUTHERN MAN.@cAs1Ee sAoAc1r,


III SOUTHERN MAS.MMcAs1rs sAoAc1rY.
A friend Of mine, William P. Gould,
Esq, Of Greene county, Alabama, owned,
many years ago, Newfoundland dog, of
remarkable size and beauty. Carlo, for that
was bis cognomen, possessing an uncom-
mon share Of the dociity sagacity, and ad-
hesve attachment for persons characteristic
ofh" race, was of course, prime favorite
With bis master and the family. His usual
places of resort were the yard and lots i'm.
medistely around the family residence. Be.
yond these he seldom strayed, either in the
pursuit of game or to follow person he
liked.
His master went one day into the woods,
near the house, to shoot squirrels. Carlo,
'mpelled BY uncommon freak of playfulness
or affection, followed him, but kept some
distance in the rear, as if conscious that,
being uninvited, he came unwelcomc to the
sport. A few caressing words and pats up.
on the head sufficed to restore his conf
dence, and he trotted along close upon the
heels Of bis master, stopping when he did ,
but never venturing to circle through the
woods in quest of game.
A large fox squirrel ran up tree close
by the sportsman who levelled his gun and
shot it dead. The noise which it made in
falling upon the dry leaves attracted the
attention of Carlo, who rushed forward.
seized the carcass, and began to shake and
rend it with great violence. The voice of
bis master commanding him to put it down
was unheeded. The destructive instincts
OF the dog triumphed over his habit Of
prompt obedience, and he tore tho squirrel
into fragments and scattered them upon the
ground at the base of the tree.
1rritated at the disobedience ofhis favoritc
the sportsman whipped him severely with
branch which he tore from bush, holding
him by the leather collar which was fasten
ed round his neck. The dog howled most
piteously during tile inflction Of the punish
ment, and ran back home the moment he
was released.
1t was quickly noticed by the family
that some great change had come over the
gay andfrolicscme Carlo. He discontinued his
almost constant visits to the house to receive
the caresses Of the family. With dropping
head and tail, and most rueful expression
OF face, he glided mournfully about the
premises, and, when called, especially by
his MASTER. would hasten to hide himself
from view.in some covert place about the
yard. He showed, by bis actions as plainly
as words could have spoken it, that he felt
himself to be deeply in disgrace. AS he
persi'tently rejected all over,ures of recon.
c'lation made by his master, tho affair
seemed to be as incapable Of adjustment, as
It was of explanation, between the offending
and offended party.
After several days spent in this way,
Carlo disappeared, and was not to be found
anywhere upon the premises. Could it be
possible that he had gone involuntary exile
to atone for his fault9 Or had lie, imitat-
ing the folly of lordly man, made way with
his own lits.to cancel his disgrace and
escape the taunts of his fellow dogs There
was no end to the conjecture in the, family
as to the cause of his disappearance, and
no end to the search for his retreat. But
he came not to the accustomed call, and
there was neither footprint nor sign to tell
whittier be had gone.
In the evening of the second day of his
absence bis master was seated in the front
piazza of the family mansion, engaged in
reading, when Carlo suddenly walked in
with large fox squirrel in his mouth. Go.
ing straight up to his master, he deposited
the carcass at his feet; he looked up into
bis face, and gave few short yelps, wag-
ging his tail all the time, and looking the
very picture. Of canine content and delig hit.
The squirrel bad evidently just been killed,
as the body was still warm, and showed
snmistakabDe signs that life had been extin-
guished 10y the pressure of teeth and claws.
Carlo t once recovered his cheerfulness
and resumed &h,s former habits. He had
erred, rePented and atoned for Lis offence,
aud remained ever after to the end of bis
days privileged favorits in the family of
the 'i' owner:
Strange as this instance of canine sagacitv
may seem TO those who deny 10 dogs even
the iaintest glimmer of the rational faculty,
it 10 nevertheless not more strange than
true, since the. facts herein detailed are re-
jAted BY one Of tho most respectable fauiiies
in thesSouth. How Carlo come in posses
siop;of the squirrel has never been satisfac.
torily asscertained. ALI the probabilities
are in fsvoFqftbe esuppositjon that he caught
Il 10 The woods BY stratagem or by the fleet
pssy a. bis feet: