The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-08-15
A COURAGEOUS BOY.

In Oneida county, in the State of New
| York, there lived some years since, not
many miles from Utica, on the road to
| Whites5oro, two farmers who were for
some reason mortal enemies We will
call these mon Benton and White.
Benton was quiet, resolute man who
feared no danger. He was open as the
day, and with laconic air about him
that won the confidence Of all who came
near him. On the atl1e'. band, White bad
a treacherous, hang-dog look about nm
that placed people on their guard, lest
when they were of it he might spring up
on them and destroy them.
This White was Of an exceedingly cruel
disposition, and sought out and kept upon
his property the most untamable, vicious
brutes in the form Of The dog it was pos
sibe to purchase with money.
1t was known White hated Benton, and
this hatred it is surmised arose from dis
appointed love. He had sought the hand
of young lady named Wilson, and had
been refused, while at the same time the
lady accepted an offer of marriage from
his neighbor, and became Mrs. Benton.
The disappointed man looked no where
else for a wife, but taught himself TO de-
spise with all his nature her whom he
fancied he had before loved.
But, TO return. White permitted his
dogs to range over his lands, and fiercely
attack those who dared to venture upon
them. Dividing the farms, lane ran
from the Whitesboro' to the Deerfield
road, and down this, one afternoon, in
search of berries, little Willie Benton, a
stout boy Of nine years, and sister Susie,
a child of six summers wandered.
Willie, fortunately, carried in his hands
a small, sharp edged axe, which his father
bade him take to the woods and amuse
himself while there by cutting down one
or two hoop poles, which, clear of the
branches or limbs, he was to bring home
with him for what his father designed
them, viz: to hold up the awning of a
wagon.
The children sauntered on their way,
stopping every now and then to gather
some of the wild fruit that grew along
their path, and while thus amusing them
selves a huge bulldog, with savage, fiery
eyes and heavy, hanging lips, jumped
lane, and, before either were aware of his
intention, sprang al the throat of the little
girl, and threw her TO the earth.
Another moment and Susie's throat
would have been torn out but, in that
moment, even before the brute could close
upon its victim, the boy had raised his axe.
and with ell his strength, struck the ami
NAL in the head. The blade glanced from
the skull, and while it cut open the flesh
and caused the blood to run freely into the
eyes and over the face of the brute, it did
not take from him any of his fierceness.
The dog now turned upon Willie, leay-
ing his sister terribly frightened, but ply
sicaily unharmed, and made a spring at
him which was boldly met by the little
fellow, who, standing firmly upon his legs,
swung his axe over his head, and as the
brute sprang upon him, struck him square
ly upon the nose, burying the blade into
If, almost cutting it in two.
The vicious creature ran back with 4
cry of pain; but, recovering himself, was
again about TO rush upon the little fellow,
who, without cry of fear, manfuIly stood
his ground, waiting for renewal of the
attack, when a pistol ball whistled past
him, and buried itself deep into the skull
of the savage animal, dropping him to the
earth ifeless
Fortunately for The children, their faith
er happened 10 be sufficiently near to see
the dog spring upon Willie (but not when
he attacked Susie,) and killed him as soon
as lie could fire, with the certainty that
the ball would not strike other than the
object for which it was intended.