Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1869-01-13

A TALE OF A DOG.


was still vacant seat and the porter called
Monsieur Dermann ~
tall young man with a German style
of countenance advanced, Holding in his
arms a large black Greyhound, which he
vainly endeavored to place ON the roof
Monsieur" said he addressing me,
will you have the kindness to take my
dog ,"
Bending over, took hold of the animal
and placed him on the straw at my feet.
observed that he wore handsome silver
collar, on which the following words We're
tastefully engraved ''Bevis. | belong to
Sir Arthur Burnley, given him by Miss
Clara"
His owner was therefore an Englishman,
yet my fellow traveller who had now taken
his place by my SIDE was evidently either a
Swiss or n German. and his name was Der
mann. Tritling as was the mystery, it ex-
cited my curiosity, and after two or three
hours pleasant conversation had establish
ed Il sort of intimacy between us, | ventur-
ed to ask my companion for an eXplana-
ton.
cit does not surprise me" he answered,
"that this collar should puzzle you; and
have great pleasure in telling you the story
of its wearer. Bevis belongs to me, but it
is not many years since he owned another
master whose name is ON his collar. You
will see why he still wears it. Here, Bevis!
speak to this gentleman"
The dog raised his head, opened his
bright eyes, and laying back his long ears,
uttered sound which might well pass for
a salution
Mr.. Dermann placed the animals head
on his knees and began to unfasten the col
lar.
Instantly Bevis drew back his head with
a violent jerk, and darted toward the lug
gage on the hind port of the roof There,
| growing tiercely, he lay down, while his
muscles were stilfened, and his eyes glowed
with fury.
| ''You see, monsieur, how determined he
is to guard his collar [ should not like to
| be the man who would try to rob him of it,
Here, Bevis, said he, in a soft, caressing
tone. Il won't touch it again, poor fell
low. Come and make friends -
The greyhound hesitated, still growing.
At length he returned slowly towards his
master, and began to HEX his hands His
muscles gradually relaxed, and he trembled
| like ii leaf.
There, boy, there" said Mr.. Dermann,
caressing him. I'VE won't do it again.
Lie down now, and be quiet"
| The dog nestled between his masters feet
and went to sleep. My fellow traveller then
turning towards me, began
Il am a native of Suabia, but / live in a
little village of the Sherland, at the foot of
the Grimsel My father keeps an inn for
the reception of travellers going to St
| Gothard. About two years since there ar
rived at our house one evening young
| Engishman, with pale sad countenance
| He Travelled on foot, and was followed by q
large Greyhound this Bevis, whom You
see. He declined takingany refreshments
and asked TO be shown to his sleeping room
| We gave him one over the common hail.
| where We were all seated around the fire
Presently We heard him pacing rapidly up
and down, from time to time uttering bro
| ken words, addressed no doubt to his dog,
for the ANIMAL moaned occasionally, as if
replying to- and sympathizing with his
master.
| "At length we heard the Englishman
stop, and apparently strike the dog blow
for the poor beast gave a loud howl of
agony and seemed as if he ran to take ref
uge under the bed. Then his master
| groaned aloud. Soon afterwards he lay
down, and all was quiet for the night
Early next morning he came down, looking
tillmOrepale than on the previous evening
and having paid for his lodging, he took
his knapsack and resumed his journey, fol-
lowed by the Greyhound, who had eaten
nothing since their arrival, and whose mas
ter seemed to take no further notice of him
than to frown when the creature ventured
to caress him.
''About noon happened to be standing
at the door, looking toward the direction
which the Englishman had taken, when l
heard howls of distress, proceeding from
wounded dog that was dragging himself to-
| ward me.
Il ran to him, and recognized the Eng
lshman's Greyhound His head was torn,
evidently by bullet, and one of his paws
broken. I raised him in my arms and car
ried him into the house. When 1 crossed
the threshold he made evident efforts to es-
cape, so placed him on the ground. Then
in spite of the torture he was suffering,
which caused him to stagger every mo-
ment, he scratched at the door of the room
where his master had slept, moaning at the
same time SO piteously that could scarce
ly help weeping myself. / opened the
door, and with great effort he got into
the room, looked about, and not finding
whom he sought, he fell down motionless.
| ST oaIIaJ my fotbnp on1 ,,apcaiviuor thot