Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-11-28
The Dogs Of 81. Bernard.

-Four great roads cross the Alps from Italy TO
Switzerland, one of which is the pass of St.
Bernard. At fhe.top Of this road eight thou
saad feet above the level Of the sea, in q dreary
region of snow and rock, is the famous Monas-
terry of st. Bernard. 1t is a great, Strong,
squaze, stone building, standing alone. occupied
by naonks aud dogs. whose kind attention to
travellers kss made them famous throughout the
world. Every stick of wood, and every thing
to eat. has to be brought up from the village be-
low o. the backs of mules, at grea3 expense Of
time and money. Around are tall grinsrocks,
little lake scarcely thawing in August, and
snoW-banks glittering through all the Sumner
sunshine. Dreasy as it would seem TO be, a
beautiful velvet mos creeps into life on the
southern slopes and in the sunny hollows ofthe
rech. blooming with little pink blue and .pur.
pie flowers, making one feel that the most des-
Olate path may have friendly smiles - sas'sa
Perhaps the most interesting sight at the
monastery is the dogs, frisking and rolling
about in 3he porch in pleasant weather-great
broad chested, strong .haired, strong hmbed fel-
lows, to whom many poor benighted traveller,
perishing in those wild SHOWS owes his life
from November till many q trusty servant, sac-
companled by monk, goes halfway down the
mountain every day in search oftrariers. Two
hrge dogs follow on with little casks, Of meat
aad drink strapped on their bieks; and so keen
is their SCENT that they will discover man at
great distance and find out the roads in the
thlckest fogs and heaviest falls of snow.
Ole Of the most remarka BILE Of these dogs
was Barry. who is known to have saved lives
OF fforty individuals. Besides his cask around
his neck, he carried warm garment on his
back; and if he failed to arouse the traveller into
some sense Of life by his warm tongue and
breath, he would race back to the bouse, and
brlng somebody to the rescue, 8 +. - ~
One day Barry found poor boy asleep. and
almost frozen to death, in the celebrated elacier
o. baisore. Barry warmed the boy, licked him
woke hi'5 up, and gave him something to drink
aad carried him on his back to the monastery.
Inc Joy OF the poor parents who can describe?
Arer Lie OF active service, Barry was sent
down the mountain to warm and comfortable
home. where he passed the rest of his davs in
honorable quiet; at his death his body was care
fnuy buried, and his skin stuffed, and there
may be seen in the museum of Berne. atandino
as large as life with his collar and bottle aronS
n's hecs' ready to start on his labors of love.
., Inc dogs are short lived. Many die from dis
se ~ tne lungs, and others are lost in the fall
..s aSalancnes nd other accidents. Neither
.ra s4I aogs can long stand the severe climate
49, n a. oi so great height. Both are often
oDnesu ~ 70 Gown Into the valley below. and
Iesfuis aniid miider scenes The lender Of the
P!ck now Is named Pluto-so it was. nj laast
when heard from them-a brave, big creat,,rs
doing deeds of usefulness and yalor which
might put to blush the life Of many one Of bn.
man understanding who never risked a though,
much less deed, to help fellow man.