The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-07-22

ing man, asking him TO forgive and
take Paul Clifton to his heart and
home. They had desired with wick
ed delight that Paul might be killed,
but the summons had come to him in-
sted, after Paul's periling his life to
save him. as his SCARED face would
testify. Donald McGregor's heart
being already softened, this opened
the gate wider, and when Paul was
discharged with honor and returned
to his faithful wife, it was to find him.
self loved and respected son.
Grandpa McGregor, " as his
grandchildren fondly called him,
though his head was white as the driv-
en- snow, and his form bent beneath
the burden of winters, on mild sunny
days, tremblingly leaning on his cane,
woul go down the garden walk and
pause beside mound covered with
fragrant blossoms. On the polished
marble of the head -stohe was sculp-
tured a noble dog whose kind, loving
face but confirmed the chiselled
words, Faithful Nero" beneath;
and if any of his grandchildren were
here, sGrandpa Mcgregor would in all
probability, while resting in a low
rustic chair, tell them the oft-repeated
story of her mothers journey with
Nero by her side. How, when un-
able to find berries by the way, Nero
caught birds and squirrels, and she
cooked them by fire lit bya finder
box she carried in her pocket; and
while he was absent one time hunt
ing, she was attacked by some almost
wild cattle, with all the ferOcity of
their nature. Once or twice they
had thrown her up, and with scarce
remaining reason she thought she
must die; but just then the leader
gave a loud deep cry of rage and
pain, and she saw Nero hanging and
struggling with his teeth fastened
firmly at his great throat. The
they fought until they were only too
which had torn their flesh until they
were, dripping with blood.
Then he watched over jamie as
she lay in the burning sun. and licked
her wounds, soothing the Intense
pain, in measure. All through the
night she lay there, watched and guar
ded faithfully; but reason had left her
ere aid came, and it was many weeks
ere she knew that Nero had again say.
ed her life.
A man on his way to cut hay, early
the next morning, was surprised and
for moment alarmed to see a huge
dog spring suddenly from the tall
grass, whining piteously as he endeav-
ored to attract his attention. Rails
ing his whip be struck at him; then
the dog sprang in front of the horse
and would not allow him to proceed.
Seeing the dogs determination, TO
please him he got out. The mo ment
his feet touched the ground the dog
barked joylully as he caressed the
mans hand, then turned and came
back as it the mans steps were too
slow, or he feared he would turn back,
which once or twice, fearing some evil
stratagem, he had attempted to do,
for it was quite a distance through
the tall grass he was being led. The
dog seemed wild in his endeavors to
coax him on, and by great exertion
he Leu him where there were eviden-
ces Of fierce conhict-crushed and
broken grass and torn clothing; and
half hidden In the tangled mass was
delicate Woman's form, over which
the dog sprang with unspoken an
guish and entreaty as he looked up
in the mans face, who kneeling down,
turned to his startled gaze the bloody,
CHASTITY face of fair young girl. TAX
ing her in his arms he carried her to
his wagon, then threw in some grass
and carefully laid her on it. The dog,
who had kept close to her, jumped in
and laid-doWn by her side. To his
home she was taken, and there for
weeks she lay lowering between life
and death.
And there his jamie might have
died, grandpa would continue with
much emotion; for although she was
among kind hearted people, still they
were very poor, and knew not who
she was or where she had come from
for news In that day did not travel as
fast as now. But about a week after
jamie was found he was returning
from New York, and passing lonely
house a dog ran barking loudly after
him. Turning he was astonished to
see Nero, who he supposed had long
mistress. As soon as his attention
was attracted, the dog ran quickly
| back to the house. Aud here the old
man WOulO uIOp ms HIIuklSu lace
upon his feeble hands, which rested
on his cane as ifmemory was too pow
erful for further words
Did it happen that Mr.. and Mrs.
Clifton were present, as sometimes
had been the case, keen observer
would have seen them look smilingly
into each others eyes, land jamie soft
ly, tenderly whisper:
For the rich unnumbered bless
inigs it brought and streW ed along our
pathway, L never can be grateful
enough that ! was forced TO go over
the plains"