The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-05-14
A Note by the WaySide.

ing eastward. 1t was pleasant after
noon in September. and l, stranger in
the place, was gazing admiringly upon a
field of Indian corn whose tops were wa
wing gracefully in the breeze, little to
the right Of the station, when my atten-
ton was attracted by an emphatic remark
| from one Of group of gentlemen loun-
ging upon pile of baggage, like myself
awaiting the arrival Of the train.
Yes, sir; I'll sell the best horse in my
stables before I'll part with him. No,
sir; while | live and have a roof to shell
ter my head from the storms, he shall
have warm place by my freside, and if
had barely sufficient food to keep me
from starvation | would share the last
morsel with him."
/ turned and beheld noble looking
man, somewhat past the prime Of life,
with sad look in his deep blue eyes, ca
ressing the shaggy head of large New
foundland dog, who evinced as much
pleasure as though he had understood ey-
cry word of his masters remarks.
"How is that?" said an honest looking
Hoosier standing near. 81 don't see
nothin so extra lookin' about him. /
sold powerful sight handsomer pup last
week for ten dollars"
"Woll, my friend, said the gentleman,
lsl know he is not handsome dog, but |
Will tell you why prize him so highly,
and then you shall judge whether it is a
foolish whim or not. !"
"Well, drive ahead stranger" said the
Hoosier, good,naturedly; "mebbe he has
done you good turn sometime, that you
don't forgit.
"You are right said the gentleman;
ssGod forbid that should ever forget the
debt of gratitude | owe him. Nearly
eighteen years ago, when | was in the
vigor of early manhood, I left my fathers
pleasant home IN the valley of the Con-
necticut, and with my newly-wedded
bride set out to try and make my fortune
in the far West, the fabulous reports of
whose wealth and advantages had stirred
my youthful blood to fever heat. took
with me but little save my rifle and
my faithful dog. l made clearing, and
in the course of time neat little cottage
with woodbine hanging in graceful clus-
ters around the doorway was the result
of my labors. Although I did not be-
come vastly rich, yet I secured compe
tence enough to make me independent for
life.
"One child was given met little curly
haired fairy, whom we named Nellie, in
memory of beloved sister who died But
short time before my emigration. Oh,
how We ldolized that dear little one |
fear we loved her too we'll, and forgot
Him who claimed our greatest love. My
dear wife used often to say, %, Henry, if
our little Nell should be taken from US I
could not live.
"Little Nellie and good old Carlo soon
became great friends. He was always by
her side wherever she wandered, and
would lie for hours with his huge head
resting upon her knee, gazing up into her
face with look that was almost human
in its fondness.
"Well, one morning when Nellie was
about FIVE years old, | left home to trans
act some business which required my i'm
mediate presence. When / had proceed
ed mile or two l perceived that the dog
was following me,and stopping my horse
I attempted to drive him back. He was
determined TO go with me, but finally
succeeded in my efforts, and he took the
back track for home. Well was it for my
happiness that he did so.
aWhen | returned home late in the
evening, I entered the house and found
little Nellie lying upon the bed that stood
in one corner of the room, caressing the
dog who lay quietly beside her, and some
| vials Of medicine standing on the table
near by showed me at once that she was
| ill.,
.sOh wife, what ails the child? What
| is the matter, darling9' said in alarm,
running up to the bedside and taking her
hand in mine, which / perceived was hot
and feverish.
".Uh pappa, Carlo saved little Nell;
dear old Carlor said she, throwing her
arms about the neck of the dog, who
gave low whine of delight at the ca
ress. @
"'What is this? For Gods sake, wife,
what has happened?' said I.
mOh, Henry, said she, thank God for
His mercy that our darling is spared to
Eus, and let us never forget that to that
faithful creature we owe our little ones
life. But for him our home would be
desolate indeed
'She then related what had transpired
during my absence Directly behind
our house, but some distance away in the
meadow, ran deep and swift stream of
water. 1t seems that some time after l
Eleft home my wife, who had been very
busy in the kitchen, CHANGED to go into
the sitting-reom where she had left the
child busted with book of pictures
The book lay open beside her little chair,
but she was not to be SEEN She called
| her, but received no answer. She stepped
to the door, thinking perhaps she was in
the yard at play; but to her surprise and
alarm no trace Of the little one could be
Iseen. Throwing on her sun bonnet she
Immediately left the house and began to
search for her; she called her name seve
raj times, but no answer came to relieve
her anxiety. With an uneasy feeling at
her heart she started for the orchard
where Nellie sometimes wandered in her
Iplay, accompanied by the faithful Carlo
| When she arrived there she found Nellie's