Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-05-11
Sflftte0 Storm.
ssBEVISv-A TALE OF A DOG.
From the Areosy.

A tall young man, with German style
of countenance, advanced, holding in his
arms a large black greyhound, which he
yainly tried to place on thereof $3.50
Monsieur" saied he, addressing me,
twill you have the kindness to take my
dog?
Bending over, took hold of the animal
and placed him on the straw at my feet
/ observed that he wore handsome silver
collar, on which the following words were
tastefully engraved 'sBevis. belong
to Sir Arthur Burnley, given him by Miss
Clara"
His owner was, therefore, an English
man. yet my fellow traveFtr, who had now
taken his place by my side, was evidently
either Swiss or q German, and his name
was Dermann. Trifing as was the my
stery, it excited my curiosity, and after two
or three hours pleasant conversation had
established a sort of intimacy between us.
ventured to ask my companion far an ex-
)lanation.
f'It does not surprise me" he answered.
that this collar should puzzle you; and I
lave great pleasure in telling you the story
f its wearer BeVis belongs to me, but it
5 not many years since he owned another
Master whose name is on his collar. You
ill see why he still wears it. Here, Bevis!
peak to the gentleman.
The dog raised his head, opened his
right eyes, and, laying back his long ears,
ttered sound which might well pass for
salutation.
Mr.. Dermann placed the animals head
his knees and began to unfasten his
illar.
Instantly Bevis drew back his head with
violent jerk, and darted toward the lug
.ge on the hind part of the roof There,
owling fiercely. he lay down, while his
uscles were stiffened, and his eyes glow
with fury.
ssYou see, Monsieur, how determined he
to guard his collar; I should not like
be the man who would try to rob him
it. Here, Bevis," said he, in soft, ca
ssing tone, 81 won't touch it again, poor
lowl Come and make friendsl'
The greyhound hesitated, still growing.
length he returned slowly toward his
,ster, and began to lick his hands; his
lscles gradually relaxed, and he trembled
q leaf,
There boy, there" said Mr.. Dermann,
'essing him. eve won't do it again.
down now, and be quiet"
The dog nestled between his masters
and went to sleep. My fellow travel
L am a native of Suabia, but | live in
lie village of the Sherland, at the foot
yhe Grimsel My father keeps an inn
the reception of travellers going to st.
thard, About two years since there ar
ed at our house one evening a young
glishman, with pale, sad countenance;
travelled ON foot, and was followed by a
Sc greyhound, this Bevis, whom you see.
declined taking any refreshments, and
led to be shown to his sleeping room.-
gave him one over the common hall,
tere we were all seated around the fire
esently we heard him pacing rapidly up
q down; from time to time uttering bro
words, addressed no doubt to his dog, |
the animal moaned occasionally, as if |
plying 70 and sympathizing with his mas
cat length we heard the Englishman
op, and apparently striking .he dog o
.ow, for the poor beast gave loud howl
agony, and seemed as if he ran to take
4fuge under the bed. Then his master
roaned aloud. Soon afterwards he lay
own, and all was quiet for the night
,arly next morning he ceme down, look
ng still more pale than the previous even
ng, and having paid for his lodging, he
ook his knapsack and resumed his journey,
nothing since their arrival, and whose mas
,er seemed to take no further notice of him
Than to frown when the creature ventured
10 caress Linn,
'.About noon I happened to be standing
ut the door, looking toward the direction
which the Englishman had taken, when !
heard howls of distress, proceeding from
wounded dog that was dragging himself to-
wards me.
81 ran to him, and recognized the Eng
Iishman's greyhound His head was torn,
by bullet, and one of his paws
ried him into the house. WhenI crossed
the threshold he made evident efforts to
escape, so placed him on the ground
Then, in spite of the torture he was suffer
ing, which caused him to stagger every mo-
ment, he stretched at the door of the room
where his master had slept, moaning at the
same time so piteously, that could scarce
y help weeping myself. | opened the door
and with a great effort he got into the
room, looked about and not finding whom
he sought he fell down motionless.
81 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,
SO much did we feel for him. In two
months he was cured, and showed us much
affection-we found it impossible, however,
to take off his collar, even for the purpose
of binding up his wounds. AS soon as he
was able to walk, he would often go toward
the mountain, and be absent for hours. -
The second time this occurred, we follow
ed him. He proceeded as far as part of
the road where narrow defile borders a
there he continued for along
time, smelling and scratching about. We
coniectured that the Englishman might
have been attacked by robbers on this
spot, and his dog wounded in defending
him.
However, no event of the kind had oc-
Cured in the country, and after the strict
est search no corpse could be discovered.
therefore, the manner in
which the traveller had treated his dog,
came to the conclusion that he had tried
to kill the creature. But wherefore? This
was a mystery which could not solve.
"Bevis remained with us, testifying the
utmost gratitude for our kindness His
and good humor attracted the
strangers who frequented our inn, while
the inscription on his collar, and the tale
we had to tell of him, failed not to excite
their curiosity. One morning in autumn,
[ had been out to take walk, accompan-
led by Bevis. When / returned, / found
seated by the fire, in the common hall,
newly-arrived traveller, who looked around
as | entered. AS soon as he perceived Be-
Wis. he started and called him. The dog
started toward him with frant-
c demonstrations of joy. He ran round
him, smelling his clothes, and uttered a
sort of salutation with which he honored
you lust now, and finally placing his fore
paw ON the travellers knees, began to lick
his face. H-r ...- --s-e
"'Where is your master, Bevis! Where
il Sir Arthur said the stranger IN Eng
lish
''Ihe noble dog howled piteously and
laid down at tie travellers feet. Then the
htter begged us to explain his presence. l
did so; and as he listened, | saw tear fall
on the beautiful head of the greyhound,
whom he leaned over to caress.
Monsieur, said he, addressing me,
from what you tell me- venture to hope
that Sir Arthur still lives. We have been