The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-09-07
OLD DON

Once upon time. horse hearing q
strange, sad cry in the stable pricked
up his ears-pawed little meditatively,
twiched at his slender halter, and then
refreshed himself with another bite of
delicious provender.
Another cry, then low grieved moan;
the faithful creature could wait no long
er. Swapping by sudden jerk the
slight cord about his neck he moved
carefully, now here, now there pokeing
his cold nose into odd corners and by
places, stopping now and then 10 listen,
/ suppose, until he found a little crea
ture SO small that the weight of his foot
could have crushed it-what do you
think he did ? why, he took hold of its
ragged garments, and lifting it with bis
strong teeth, put in q stall filled with
soft hay, the very next to his own pant
ry. There wos no partition between, so
while he refreshed himself with his
delicate night lunch. he could also, you
see, have an eye to the new conner,
1.-The wee bit baby girl
'.3ut mother, how did anybody know
that he put the baby in the mainger!
That was easily seen, for part OF the
baby's ragged dress was found on the
~ y
ing to her preserver, and shred of the
calico, faded and soiled, was in the
morning taken by his proud master
from between his big teeth tha,'s the
way, Guy, that the story came out, and
pretty strong evidence it was.
The baby must have been very rest
less and the guardian, discouraged, no
doubt, by his inability to quiet it, began
to think what could tc done next.
1t was q little after midnight, Mrs.
Elyy said, that she heard a strange noise
at the bedroom window, sort of plain
tive whinny, that seemed to her, half a.
wake, like the signing OF the trees be-
fore storm so she turned again 70
elumber. But Don, getting impatient,
and worrying about the CT ing baby,
presently made a desperate effort to a
waken his master by a loud shirll neigh.
1t had for long time been fashion
of his to do this when he demanded
any special attention he had been great
ly petted by the family, and little Fred,
when sick in the summer, had been al
lowed TO feed him from this very Win
dow. "Lunchbell' was a familler sound
to his cars. II in the mellow enjoying
a substantial meal, juicy and dew laden
and the merry iingiiUg from Master
Fred's hand was heard, 10, the wise and
discreet charger was Immediately seeh
trotting towards the house leap over
the bars, an intelligent poke at the big
resting his long glossy head on the win
dow sill, the great brown eyes cntreat
ing that attention due to invited guests
Then Fred would feed him with dainties,
and often, while the boys slender fingers
caressed the glossy name and supple
ears, the mammoth pet fell into pleasant
slumber.
Don knew what it was to be in gen
teel:society, he appreciated kindness, and
knew where friends were to be found !,
so, when the baby in the stall moaned
with cold, hunger, and great need to be
"cuddled up by motherly arms, Don,
graduly comprellending the situation,
concluded to arouse the family.
A low side door, always left lightly
fastened-'or Don, had sentimen.ally nib
bled and meditated by moonligh.--made
the way easy SO putting this and that
together, the big brave heart just shol>
dered the responsibility of the desolate
baby; and as id, made known at the
familiar window the urgency Of the
case.
Mrs. Elvy, somewhat out Of patience
at being awakened in this unceremoni-
ous fashion, said rather testify, "Don
do YOU 90 to your manger. No lunch
bell rang, and your little master is in
bed"
But Don, not discomGtted, bravely
held his ground, alternately neighing and
turning his head towards the barn, un-
SUSPICIOUS if the good house-mother
were aroused and Weakening her husband
she begged him to examine the premises
and see what the matter was.
"And so he found the baby mother?'
Yes. so he found her, sure enough I;
poor little creature, it was shiyering
and moaning, and was so tender that un
less q rescuing hand had prevented, it
must have died before morning When
Don saw his master, lantern in hand he
ioyfully led the way, kicking up his
heels as if wild with delight; he trotted
to the side door, turning his head every
minute or two to see if he was under
stood then bound over the THRESHOLD,
hurried to the stall, poking his cold
nose down into the hay, to see ii the
small guest was still there when he
saw it safely in his masters arms, and
was him self patted and praised, he set
fled down to his oats, contented and
happy with Don't thank me, I've on
ly done my duty, sir both touching
and ludicrous.
Nobody ever claimed the child, and
abe was such little sunbeam that Fred
said her name must be Joy. There