The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-12-05
Poor Ponto.

Poor Porto. s7 49, iss@
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One of the most affecting stories
ever heard about a dog was told me
many years ago by an uncle OF mine who
once lived in Paris. My uncle was
walking on one of the quays, when he
saw q man approach. holding dog by
chain. The roor animal was frightened,
and yet did not attempt to struggle as
: be was being led along. He looked up
piteously at his jailor, and every now
if pleading with him. Poor beast, he
might know, seemingly, what was going
to happen to him." said the man. sazaz@ =
..What is going to happen ?" inquired
my uncle. @azs g ;
n "sir, I'm going to drown him that is
what will happen - - = .ss -. =.
"But why, sir: are you his master ?"
81 am certainly his master, and he is
oold-poor Ponto am sorry, but it
must be-" zszgas Tzsz7rg9 err a. ICES s.a
=, The dog gave low whine, and tremb-
ling. crouched close to his MASTER ia
"He does not seem SO very old, and
drowning is hard death, demonstrated
g my uncle s2sss 80 assa .ras eyed e7sa sza4-
+ "Sir, he is quite useless .ssazas t.aA
While he was speaking the words, the
man unmoored alittle boat. lifted the
dog in, and rowed to the middle of the
stream When he came to where the
water was deepest, my uncle saw him
lift up the dog suddenly, and throw him
with great force into the stream. aT x6ass
If the master had thought. that the
dogs age and infirmities would prevent
his struggling for life he was very much
mistaken, for he rose to the surface,
kept his head we'll up, and trod the
water bravely The man then began to
push the dog away with an oar, and at
last losing all patience, the struck ont 50
far to deal the dog blow that he over
balanced himself and fell into the river
He could not swim, and now began the
generous animals efforts, not to save
his own life, but that of the master who
was trying to drown him. The dog
SWAN to him. and Selling fast hold Of
his coat collar, held him up until a boat
put off to his rescue and brought him,
half drowned and wholly frightened, to
the shore--his faithful dog barking, cry
ing and licking his hand and face i'll the
greatest excitement of affection re
membe. still the look with which my
uncle used to tell how he stepped for
ward and asked the man, do you still
dog 2'is5a sall sva&2 I'd sssa1sz a.sS8 a.
Il think he deserves better MASTER :,
said gentleman who had Witnessed the
incident; and there and then he made
an offer to buy Ponto: but tho man,
embracing the dog said hoarsely -
mo, sir no, I was wrong as long as
have a crust, I will give half to my
poor Ponto.n 1aaansss lssef 8 a=aee.,ss
A woman who had a basket on her
arm came up at the time and said, 81
should think you would. indeed or else
you ought to be asham ell to look him in
the face,' and out of her basket took a
piece of meat. and the dog was, Toasted
and petted and made Much OF, and from
that time, as long as my uncle staid in
Paris, he often saw Ponto on the quay,
and the story of his generosity to his
master made him SO many friends that
the dogs keep was no longer burden
some. No one was suffered to moiest
him. and his old age was doubtless the
happiest period of his life. - xs44S'
The convention in Alabama is now
in session, and conventions have been
ordered and elected in Virginia. Geo
gia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi.
louisiana, and will soon be in the two
Carolinas. Conventions in all these
States will be held very soon, and the
indications is that they will all frame
constitutions that will be acceptable to
the people, in which case Reconstruction
will be an accomplished fact before the
fourth of March. Do the Democratic
propose to enter the Presidential cam
paign upon the issue Of the repeal Of
those State governments - -.-..st.---~
The Holidays are approaching, and you can
find no more beautiful and appropriate present
here OF elsewhere. to give TO valued children
loveyers. and friends, than some Of those fine
Sea Shells 1t Dugd.le's. % Main street. 8 He 10
receiving, in anticipation Of Kriss Krnges yis-
it, the prettiest lot Of Toys. &c, ever sale in
this city. Go and see his stock Of Goods and
goodies. 'zSBs ssaaa&5 @ssms ssIhaI n@gsv