The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-10-29

and understands. Where did you place
the candlestick last night, Hattie, when
you went to bed %
"On the table, father
I" Is il there now 2"
No sir /; brought it down this NOR
ming"
And the extnyuisher %
Il left that on the table"
You may go and get it. Stay !" he
continued, as she rose to obey, "you
may not be able to find it in the dark,
and Bruno can. Go and get it, Bru-
no.
The dog, who had been looking at us
and seemingly listening to the conversa-
ton, now quietly arose, and going to the
door, which opened upon stairway, he
stretched himself upward, lifted the
latch with one paw, pulled the door open
with the other, and disappeared. In a
few moments he returned with an exlin.
guisher in his mouth, which he carried
straight to his master.
Give it to Hattie" said the master.
The dog at once advanced to he girl.
l think mother wants it, 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 you will go ovor to the fire place
and take a seat till l am done, | will re-
lieve you Of your charge
No human being could have shown a
more ready comprehension of everything
spoken in an ordinary tone than did the
sagacious brute; and he walked over
with stately step and seated himself as
directed, with the extnguishcr still in
bis mouth. l involuntrIy uttered an
exclamation OF surprise.
" suppose you think this is a very
clever trick which he has been taught, ;"
observed the farmer, turning to me with
a triumphant smile but | assure you
upon my honor, never asked hlm 70 do
the same thing before
OF course, was alIamaz lnent. What.
save the power OF speech, was the diyi-
ding line between dis bru.e and the hu-
nan species? After trying him sever
Il times more, in different ways, ana thus
proving him TO have knowledge of all
chat was said to him, Mr. Mansfield pro-
ceeded 10 relate the following exciting
incident:
SIX years ago last SUMNER" began
the worthy farmer, on a cold drizzly
afternoon, drove down TO the village to
get my horse shod, and being detained
ill nearly dark, Hattie was sen. hy her
mother 10 fetch the COWS from a distant
pasture. There seemed to be sufficient
daylight for the purpose when she first
set out but ght came fast anl suldel :
y, and when got home Hattie had not
yet returned From The very moment of
being told whether she had gone. | felt a
strange uueasiness about the poor girl !;
for the night had then set in intensely
dark, and her path lay over rugged Hill.
1 through patch of woods. and across
the neck of miry swamp, where had
made a safe footp path by sinking some
logs in the treacherous ground, aud con,
slruc,ing rude bridge across the slug
gish stream. But should either she or
the cows miss this bridge, aud get into
the swamp, there was danger Of their be-
ing mired and suifo"atei and therefore,
it was with good deal OF anxiety that
myself aud wife. lighted by lantern,
hurried over TO the perilous spot, hoping
to meet Hattie on the way.
a fine misty rain vas steadily falling.
and clouds hang about the earth like a
fog, 50 that it was impossible 10 see only
few feet with the aid Of the light and
not an inch without il. Judging from a
careful inspection, that the catlle had
not crossed the bridge. we went over to
the pasture in search of them. calling
Hattie loudly all the time. We found
most OF the animals AT no great distance
but two animals were missing, and the
poor child was not 10 be discovered.
Then We became alarmed in earnest, and
commenced search for her, hurryinp
from one point 10 another; and shouting
her name and hallooing continually
this we did for 4 couple OF hours, and
then my poor wife SAT down and wrung
her hands in despair. suggested to
her that Hattie might even then be al
home alarmed at our absence, and this