Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-03-23
A Remarkable Dog.
SIGMA.
BY EMERSON BENNETT.

In the fall of 1S43 I made a Journey
from central New York down through the
eastern part of Pennsylvania to the city of
Philadelphia in numbering stage coach.
To make matters as disagreeablc as posi-.
BILE, it CHANGED that early one evening I
was aroused from sort of travelling doze
by sudden crash and jar, and the set
Ting down of the front part of the vehicle.
The fore axle.tree had broken close to the
off wheel, and until it could be repaired
we could not proceed any further.
"TheIes small village back here about
three miles," said the driver, "where I'm
going to take the horses, and you can ci-
lher come with me or get lodgings at n
farm house close by
AS I was the only passenger, and very
much fatigucd with the ride, 1 preferred
the nearest quarters; and getting the dri,
yer to assist me in removing my luggage
thther, asked entertainment of the far
mor who assented in a cordial manner I;
and in less than an hour was seated at a
table, and doing ample justice to the good
cheer before me.
The family of Mr.. Mansfcld-for such
was the name of the worthy farmer-con-
sisted of himself, wife, pretty daughter OF
fourteen, and large English mastitf. l
have included the dog, because his Won
derful sagacity entitled him to rank much
higher than an ordinary beast.
Before l knew anything of the remark.
able qualities of this animal, l was pecu
liarly attracted to him by certain air Of
stately dignity combined with gentloncss
and the almost human look of intelligence
that beamed from his eyes, 1t seemed
When he looked at me steadily and heard
me speak, as if he really knew what I said
and more than once [ caught myself fan,
cying that he was about to reply,
"Ihat is very fine dog you have Mr.
Mansfeld," | casually remarked, as
drew back from the table and saw the an
imals eyes fixed so gently and comprehon
sively upon me. CAT what price do yol
value him ~
"His weight in diamonds could not pur
chase him sir y replied the farmer, witt
, enthusiasm.
"Indced ~
Ono, sir he is one of us-one of oul
, family l may say-and I would just a
soon think of disposing of my wife, or my
, daughter Hattie there, as of selling him.
"There must be very strong attach
, mont between you then, certainly" 1 re
joined.
"Indeed there is bond of union tina
, nothing but death can sever, A most ex
. traordinary animal, sir, is Bruno; and t.
him l am under God indebted for the lif
. Of my darling child; only for him, sir ,thi
, would long since been house of mourn
. ing"
"You excite my curiosity; will you no
: favor me with the story?"
5 "Presently 1 will, sir. But first let m
0 show you how much Bruno knows and un
I derstands. Where did you place the can
dlestck last night when you went to bed
Z Hattie 7"
"On the table, father"
: els it there now :"
"No. l brought it down in the morning
Il "And the extnguisher 7"
"I left that on the table"
, "You may go and get it. Stay" h
continued, as she arose to obey; 'you ma
not be able to find it in the dark, an
>, Bruno can. Go and get it Bruno"
The dog, who had been looking at u
- seemingly listening to the conversationno
quietly arose, and going to door whC
d opened upon stairway, he stretched hin
= self upward, lifted latch with one for
II paw, pulled the door open with the othe
and disappeared. In few moments
$, returned with the extinguisher in his mou
~ which he carried straight to his master
"GiYe il to Hattie" said the lsttsr,