Litchfield enquirer., 1861-10-31
A REMARKABLE DOG.

A REMARKABLE DOG.
 In the fall of 1S43 made journey iron Central New York down through the easter part of Pennsylvania to the City of Philade phia, in numbering old stage coach. To mak matters as disagreeable as possible, it chances that early one evening was reused from sor of travelling dose by sort of crash and jal and the settling down of the front part of tn vehicle. The fore part of the axletree had bro ken close to fore wheel, and until it could be re paired we could not proceed further.
 "There's small village back here about thre miles" said the driver, ito which am goinl to take the horses, and you may either com 1 As was the only passenger, preferred thu nearest lodgings; and getting the driver to as sist me in removing my luggage thither, asked entertainment of the farmer. who assented in cordial manner; and in less than an hour wal seated at table, and doing ample justice to tn, good cheer before me.
 The family of MT. Mansfeld-for such wa. the name of the worthy farmer-consisted O himself, wife, a pretty daughter of fourteen and large English mastif. I have included the dog because his wonderful sagacity entitled him to rank much higher than an ordinary besst.
 Before I knew any thing of the remarkable qualities of the animal, was peculiarly attract ed to him by a certain air of stately dignity combined with gentleness and the almost hu man look of intelligence that beamed from hi: eyes. It seemed, when he looked at me steadi Iy and heard me speak, as if he really knew 1 what said, and more than once 1 caught my self fancying that he was about to reply.
 "That is very fine dog You have, Mir. Mans field," casually remarked as drew back from the table and saw the eyes of the animal fixed so gently and comprehensively upon mine. At what price do you value him ?'' His weight in diamonds could not purchase him, sir '" replied the farmer.
 Indeed!'
 No sir he is one of us-one of our family I may say-and l would quite as soon think of dsposing of my wife, or my daughter Hattie there, as of selling him."
 "There must be very strong attachment be- tween you certainly" rejoined. "lndeed there is /; a bond of union that noth ing but death can sever. A most extraordinal ' animal, sir, is Buno and to him, under God, am indebted for the life of my darling child Only for him, sir, this would long since have been house of mourning
 You excite my curiosity. Will you not ia vor me with the story?'
 1 you how much Bruno knows and understands Where did you place the candle stick last night :;tle, when Fou went to bed?"
 "On the table, father"
 Is if there pow ?"
 No, Sir; brought it down this morning." 1 "And tie exti guish"r?'
 1 Il left that on the table"
 You may go and get it. Stay!" he contin ] uetl. as she rose to obey. "you may not be able to fad it in the dark, and Bruno can. Go and get it, Bruno"
 The dog who had been looking at us and seemingly listening to the conversation, now quietly arose, and going to the door, which opened npon a stairway. he stretclel lii self upward, lifted the latch with one paw 1 ie e,iily pulled the door open with the other aii disappeared. In a few moments he returned with an cxtiugushcr in his mouth which he carried straight to his master. l "Gve it to Hattie" said the master. 1 The dog at once adTanced to the girl. 1 | think mother wants il" laughed Hattie.
 The dog immediately went to Mrs. Mansfield who was busy drying some dishes and placing them upon an old fashioned cupboard "Poor Bruno" said the mistress with smile; they are only trying you; but if yor will go over to the fireplace, and take seat till l am done, will relieve you of your charge No human being could have shown more ready comprehension of every thing spoken ir ordinary tone than did the sagacious brute and as he walked over with @ stately step and seated himself as directed with the extinguisher stil in his mouth, involuntary uttered an exclama l ton of surprise.
 II suppose you think this is a very clever trick which he has been taught" observed tn. farmer, turning to me with triumphant smile " but assure you, upon my honor, never ask cd him to do the same thing before. l Of course, was amazement. What, save tn. power of speech, was the dividing line between this brute and the human species? After try ing him several times more in different ways and thus proving him to have knowledge O all that was said to him, Mir. Mansfield proceed ed to relate the following exciting and interest ing incident:
 "Six years ago last summer began the wor thy farmer on cold, drizzy afternoon, drove down to the village to get my horse shod and being detained till early dark, Hattie wa sent by her mother to fetch the COWS from dis tant pasture. There seemed to be sutficien daylight for the purpose when she first set out but night came fast and suddenly, and when got home Hattie had not yet returned. FroH the very moment of being told whither she ha. gone. felt strange uneasiness about the poo girl for the night had then set in intensel, dark, and her path lay over rugged hill, througl a patch of woods, and across the neck of mir, swamp, where had made safe foot-path b1 sinking some logs in the treacherous ground and constructing rude bridge across the slug gsh stream. But should either she or the COW: miss this bridge and get into the swamp. ther was danger of their being mircd and sufocated and. therefore, it was with a good deal of anxi ety that myself and wife. lighted by lantern hurried over to the perilous spot, hoping t, meet Hattie on the way.
 "A fine, misty rain was steadily falling, an, clouds hung about the earth like a fog, so tha it was possible to sec only few feet with thu aid of the light, and not an inch without :t Judging from a careful inspection that the cattl had not crossed the bridge, we went over to tn, pasture in search of them, calling Hattie loudl, all the time. We found most of the animals no great distance; but two animals were miss ing, and the poor child was not to be discover ed. Then we became alarmed in earnest ant commenced search for her, hurrying from on point to another and shouting her name an, haloing continually. This we did for couple of hours and then my poor wife sat down an, wrung her hands in deep despair. I suggested to that Hattie might even then be at home a larmed at our absence and this inspired her moth CT with sufficient strength and hope to get ther' where she sank down under a new d!sappoint ment helplcss as child.
 "Ah, Sir, that was time of terrible trial t me-my sweep child lost, my wife utterly prs trated, and not another soul near to give me ait and sympathy. could not stand it long; a once hurried to the nearest neighbor. The mal lts1meUlatpIy # off tn 0th hhOrS