The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-08-20
.BEvIS,-A TALE OF A DOG.

| "BEvlSH@A TALE Of 4 DO&.
Il THE Lyons diligence was just going t.
start from Geneva. climbed on the roof
and chose my place next the driver; there
was still Q vacant seat, and the portel
called Monsieur Dermann
i A tall young man, with German styls
of countenance, advanced, holding in hi.
arms large black greyhound, which hi
vainly tried to place on the roof
Monsieur" said he, addressing me
will you have the kindness to take my
dog."
j Bending over, 1 took hold of the animal
and placed him on the straw at my feet
/ observed that he wore handsome silver
4 collar, on which the following words were
| tastefully engraved: Bevis. l belong to
Sir Arthur Burnley, given him by Miss
Clara"
His owner was, therefore, an English
man, yet my fellow traveller, who had
now taken his place by my side, was evi-
IDENTIFY either Swiss or a German, and
his name was Derrman. Trifling as was
the mystery, it excited my curiosity, and
after two or three hours pleasant converse
tion had established sort of intimacy be-
tween us, I ventured to ask my compan-
ion for an explanation.
:" 1t 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 col
lar. You will see why he still wears it.
Here, Bevisi speak to the gentleman"
The dog raised his head, opened his
bright eyes, and, laying back his long ears,
uttered sound which might well pass for
q salutatiOn.
Mr.. Dermann placed the animals head
on his knees and began to unfasten his
collar.
Instantly Bevis drew back his head with
a violent jerk, and darted toward the lug
gage on the hind part of the roof There,
growing dercely, he lay down, while his
muscles were stifened, and his eyes glow
ing 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, caress-
ing tone, 81 won't touch it again, poor
fellow! Come and make friends !"
The greyhound hesitated, still growing.
At length he returned slowly toward his
master, and began to lick his hands; his
muscles gradually relaxed, and he trem-
bled like leaf
"There, boy, there" said Mr.. Dermann,
caressing him. "We won't do it again.
Lie down now, and be quiet"
The dog nestled between his masters
feet, and went to sleep. My fellow trav-
eler then turning towards me, began:
~ am 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
arrived at our house one evening young
Englishman, with pale, sad countenance I;
he travelled on foot, and was followed by a
large greyhound, this Bevis, whom you
see. He declined taking any refreshments,
and asked to be shown to his sleeping
room. We gave him one over the COM
mon hall, where we were all seated around
the fire. Presently we heard him pacing
rapidly up and down; from time to time
uttering broken words; addressed no
doubt to his dog, for the animal moaned
occasionally, as if replying to, and sympa-
thizing with his master.
"At length we heard the Englishman
stop, and apparently strike the dog blow,
for the poor beast gave loud howl of
| dssOhyi anu cOCHiCu do II hC ION W edhC
refuge 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, look
ing still more pale than the previous even
ing, and having paid for his lodging, he
took his knapsack and resumed his jour
ney, followed by the greyhound, who had
eat nothing since their arrival, and whose
master seemed to take no further notice of
him than to frown when the creature ven
tured 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
d wounded dog that was dragging himself
towards me.
al ran to him, and recognized the En-
glishman's greyhound. His head was torn
evidently by bullet, and one of his paws
broken: | raised him in my arms and car
ried him into the house. When crossed
the threshold he made evident efforts to
escape, so l placed him on the ground.
Then, in spite of the torture he was suffer
ing, which caused him to stagger every
moment, he scratched at the door of the
room where his master had slept, moaning
at the same time so piteously, that l could
scarcely help weeping myself / opened
the door, and with a great effort he got
into the room, looked about, and not find
ing whom he sought, he fell down motion
4 less.
II called my father, and perceiving that
the dog was not dead, we gave him all pos
sible assistance, taking indeed as much care
of him as though he had been a child, SC
much did we feel for him. In two months
he was cured, and showed us much affec
tion-we found it impossible, however, tC
take off his collar, even for the purpose ol
binding up his wounds. As soon as ht
was able to walk, he would often go to
ward the mountain, and be absent fol
hours. The second time this occurred, we
followed him. He proceeded as far as 8
part of the road where narrow defilt
borders a precipice; there he continued
for long time, smelling and scratching
about We conjectured that the English
man might have been attacked by robber.
T on this spot, and his dog wounded in de
Tending him. However, no event of tht
kind had occurred in the country, and af
ter the strictest search no corpse could b'
discovered. Recollecting, therefore, tn,
manner in which the traveller had treated
his dog, came to the conclusion that h,
= | Udu W MIL 1uC idieuiui Du
wherefore? This was a mystery which
could not solve.
, "Bevis remained with us, testifying th'
utmost gratitude for our kindness. Hi
intelligence and good humor attracted tn,
strangers who frequented our inn, whil'
the inscription on his collar, and the tall
we had to tell of him, failed not to excit,
their curiosity. One morning in autumn
!. had been out to take a walk, accOmpa
MED by Bevis When returned, l fount
, seated by the fire, in the common hall, ,
newly arrived traveller, who looked arOunt
as entered As soon as heperceived Bev
, is, he started and called him. The do,
: Immediately started toward him witt
frantic demonstrations of joy. He raj
round him, smelling his clothes, and ut
/ tered the sort of sanitation with which h.
, honored you Just now, and finally, placin,
, his forepaws on the traveller knees, begaI
to lick his face.
"Where is your master, Bevis? Wher
is Sir Arthur said the stranger, in Eng
r lish.
8 "The noble dog howled piteously ant
laid down at the travellers feet. Then th'
2 latter begged us to explain his presence
/ | l did so and as he listened, l saw tea
fall on the beautiful head of the grey
o hound, whom he leaned over to caress
Monsieur said he, addressing me
\ from what you tell me, venture to hop'
; hat Sir Arthur still lives. We have beeI
: friends from childhood. About three year
| n = Oh hasr