The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-02-17
THE PECULIAR THIEF.

The wealthy merchant, Van Bee
rem, of Amsterdam went TO his bank
errs one morning 10 get fifty newly
coined forins. He had with him a
magnificent Newfoundland dog, with
curly hair, an expressive face and
beautiful true-brown eyes.
Oppas was the tavorite of the whole
amily and the steady companion OF
ais master, whom he never left, ex-
.ept when he had strict orders given
lim to watch the children or to keep
.uard over some article of value.
Van Beeren could safely put his gold
headed cane in the middle of the
street, and say to Oppas "You
stay here until 1 come back )" and
here was no doubt of finding cane
and dog at the same spot, after hours
Aad gone by 1t would not have been
>afe for anybody to touch him then.
If his master wanted to go to the
church or theater, or in fact anywhere
ne didn't want the dog to accompany
lin, al he had to do was to look at
lim and say "Oppas, go home 7"
and Oppas turned around, although
mortified, and went straight home,
without looking to the right or left.
Mynheer Van Beeren had taken his
dog along to-day, as usual, and had
r; tier lengthy conversation with his
ri.nd, the banker, whom he also told
or what purpose he wanted the new
lorins.
To-day was the silver-wedding day
of one of his old servants named Claus,
sho had been in the service of his
iather, and been true to them both for
many years. As this man was not
very well off, for he had great many
children to provide for, he vented to
give him a pleasant surprise with
these fifty forins. He received them
lightly done mp in roll but the sill
yer was rather heavy, and Mynheer
Van Beeren rather lazy. He could
not put it in his pocket he did not
like to carry it on his head; and, there
lore, as soon as he had regained the
street, he gave it to his dog, who
proudly put it in his mouth, and
marched solemnly along with his mas
ter until they reached the house of his
former servant. Mynhcer Van Bee
rem did not even now take the money
from the dog, but wanted to have the
fun of seeing the dog himself deliv-
er it.
He did this elegantly, for when his
master said to him, "Oppas, now give
up your present" and pointing to the
surprised servant, he went up to him,
wagged his tail, and allowed him qui-
city to take the money out of his
mouth.
The old servant was greatly NOV
ed he thanked his master with tears
in his eyes, at the same time caressing
the dog, who seemed to be well pleas |
ed. Moreover, when Mynheer Van i
Beeren left, Claus begged leave to re-
tain the dog, around whom the chill !
iren had gathered, for while longer,
Eat he might reward him for bring
ing so rich present. The children
oined in his entreaties until the mer-
chant said pleasantly: "Well, for
my part. you may have him as q
guest, but don't overfeed him, and af-
just open the door for him
and say. Now go home, Oppas,
hen you need dinot bother about him
my more, he knows his way 4
s'aBdt viii he stay here, when you
yot off l,'.- &c bs-o 2 = tShJ ras@f99s u
'la.Certainly BE, does anything I tell
1ira. Oppas, you stay here, he said
% the Newfoundland dog, who looked
Il him with. his sagacious eyes, and I
hen sat quietly down, as IF to wait