The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-01-08

HOW queer IL WOulQ look, II we saw them all go
Marched off to the station house, SIX in row
e.r THE PECULIAR THIEF.
The wealthy merchant, Van Beeren, of
Amsterdam, went to his bankers one morn
ing, to get fifty new-coined forins. He had
with him magnificent Newfoundland dog,
: with curly hair, and expressive face and
beautiful true brown eyes.
g,Oppas was the favorite Of the whole fami-
ly and the steady companion of his master,
whom he never left, except when he had
strict orders given him to watch the chill
dren, or to keep guard over SONS articles of
value. Van Beeren could safely put his
gcld-headed cane in the middle of the street.
and say to Oppas: 'You stay here until
come back;' and there was no doubt of fird-
ing cane and dog at the same spot after
hours had gone by. I would not have ud-
vised anybody to touch him then. If his
master wanted to 60 to church or to the
theatre, or In fact anywhere, where he didn't
want the dog to accompany him, oil he had
to do was to look at him and say: "Oppas,
though uortifed, and went straight home,
without looking to the right or left.
Mynheer Van Beeren had taken his dog
along to-day as usual, and had rather n
lengthy conversation with his friend, the
banker, whom he also told for what purpose
ne wanted the new hOrlnS.
To-day was the silver wedding day OF one
of his old servants named Claus, who had
been In the service of his father, and been
true to them both for many years AS the
man was not very well off, for he had q great
many children to provide for, he wanted to
give them a pleasant surprise with these
fifty forins. He received them tightly done
up in roll, but the silver was rather heavy,
and Mynheer Van Beeren rather lazy He
could not put it in his pocket; he did not
like to carry it in his hand; and therefore,
as soon as he had regained the street, he
gave it to his dog, who proudly put it in his
mouth and marched solemnly along with his
master, until they reached the house of his
former servant Mynheer Van Deeren did
not even now take the money from the dog,
but wanted to have the fun of seeing the
dog himself deliver it.
He did this elegantly, for when his master
said to him, "Oppas, now give up your
present" and pointed to the surprised SER
want, he went up to him, wagged his tail
and allowed him quietly to take the money
out of his mouth.
The old servant was greatly moved; he
thanked his master with tears in his eyes, at
the same time caressing the dog, who
seemed to be well pleased. Moreover, when
Mynheer Van Reeren left, Claus begged
leave to retain the dog, around whom the
children had gathered, for while longer
that he might reward him for bringing so
rich d present. The children Joined in his
entreaties, until the merchant said pleasant
ly: "Well. for my part, you may have him
as guest, but don't over-feed him, and
afterwards, just open the door for him and
say: Now go home. Oppas, then you need
not bother about him any more; he knows
his way"
''But will lie stay here, when you go
off ?"
Certainly; he does anything tell him.
Oppas, you stay here" he said to the New
foundland dog, who looked at him with his
sagacious eyes, and then sat quietly down,
as if to wait what would happen. When
his master went off Immediately after, he
never stirred; and now the children began
to coax and caress him, while the woman
prepared good repast for him, which he
enjoyed hugely, until the time came when
they had to send him off again. When
Claus then opened the door for him and
said, as he had been told: "Now, Oppas,
you go homel" he wagged his tail once
more, and returned straight home.
A few months had gone by, and Mynheel
Van Beeren he'd &c do business again one
afternoon with the same banker. The dog
went along as usual, and also lifted himself
when ne arrived at the counting table and
offered his paw to the cashier. He, how.
ever, would not notice him to-day, and all
seemed to be somwhat excited; the cause OF
which was Immediately explained by the
banker himself, who just then came out OF
his private Office.
The thing was this: There had been com.
mitted theft that morning, with such