Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-04-02

In 1907 LIVED III maine anu my nearest
neighbor-his dwelling was just twenty
feet from mine-was farmer named
Samuel Frost, among whose worldly
possessions was dog-a very handsome
cross between the Shepherds Dog and
the Hound, or Pointer-called 'BOse."
The dog was stricken with years, and far
past the season Of usefulness; his only
willing occupation, besides eating pre-
pared food, beingto lie under the kitchen
table and growl when visitors entered.
Finally Mr. Frost concluded 10 get rid Of
Bose. for the purpose of introducing
younger dog; and his first effort in that
direction was to give the aged canine to
n nephew, who took him to Rumiord,
distance of forty miles. Old Bose went
10 Rumford OH Saturday, following a horse
which Ira had bought of his uncle Frost,
and on Saturday he came back. Several
subsequent attempts to get rid OF the dog
by transportation were made, but without
effect; and at length the owner resolved
to hire some of the ncighbors' boys to take
the poor old fellow oil, and Kill and bury
him.
1t was towards the middle of the FORE
noon that two stout young men came into
the kitchen for the purpose of leading
Bose TO the slaughter.
Il guess you'd better get a rope around
his neck" suggested Mr.. Frost, at the
same time being careful 10 keep his eyes
turned from the old watcher under the
table; "and don't you look cross at him.
He's acted kind o queer since I've been
tryin to send him of. But you won't
have much trouble. He can't bite, nor
can he pull very hard. Kill him quick
do it as easy rs YOU can; and don't let
any OF my children know where you've
buried him.
When the matter had been arranged
and the executioners were ready 10 pro-
ceed to work, the intended victim was
missing. He had crswled into the pump
room, lifted The well scuttle with his teeth
the outer doors having been closed
and gone out by way of an opening in the
loose underpinning OF the small i. The
young man hunted high and low, and
searched far and near. but no Bose could
they find. They would have rene ewed the
search after supper, but Mr.. Frost decided
no.
plague take it," said he, Il can't do
it. Let him 90. Who'd ave thought at
that dog would have known every word
we spoke? But he did, though"
Time passed on, and Bose did not
return to his old resting-placc under the
table, though one of the boys was
sure he had seen the old fellow lurking
near the house at night. At the end ot
nearly three weeks, little Alice, a child of
eight years, was induced to confess why
she sled out by the back-door every night
| lust before her bed time. and also what
she carried 50 carefully in her apron. II
seemed that, two or three evenings after
the dogs disappearance, Alice happened
out later than usual and heard the we'll
known whine. She called eagerly the
name of her old playfcllow; and the dog,
knowing in whom of all the family he
might " ith safety contide. came 10 her
aud plainly begged for food; and from
that time Bose had come every night to
a point of deep shadow between the cur
rant bushes and low-branched apple
tree, where Alice had met him and given
him food. BY means Of the child the dog
was found, on the following day, in
cavernous hole in distant ledge, where
it was plainly to be seen he had taken up
his residence. Mr.. Frost called TO the
animal in the old aifectionate, loving way,
bidding him come home, and promising,
"They sha'nt hurt old Bose" and the
intelligent fellow feared his master no
more. He returned to the nest under the
table in the kitchen, where he enjoyed
entire freedom and immunity nearly four
wears. He died natural death and is
ailectionatcly remembered by those who
had such proof of his remarkable inteli-
gence.- Ledger.