Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-02-01
Canine Fidelity.

money due him in a neighboring vii,
lage, set out on horseback, accompa
MED by his dog, in order to recover it.
Having settled the business, he set
out for his residence with the bag of
money tied before him. The faithful
dog seemed to partake of his masters
satisfaction.
After some miles the merchant
alighted to rest in the shade, and TAX
ing the bag Of money in his hand,
laid it down by his side under a hedge,
and, on remOunting, forgot it. The
dog, perceiving the forgetlulness of
his master, ran to fetch the bag, but
it was too heavy for him to drag
along.
He then ran back to his master.
and, by whining. barking, and howl
ing, seemed to cndeavor to remind
him of his mistake. The merchant
did not understand his language; but
the faithful creature persevered in its
efforts, and trying to stop the horse in
vain, at last began to bite his heels.
The merchant, absorbed in deep
thought as he rode along, and wholly
forgetful of his bag of money, began
to think the dog was mad Full of
this suspicion, in crossing a brook he
turned back to see if the dog would
drink; but the faithful animal, too in
tent on his masters business to think
OF itself. continued to bark and bite
with greater violence than before.
Mercy" cried the afflicted mer-
chant, at must be so; my poor dog is
certainly mad: what must | do? |
must kill him, lest some greater mis-
fortune befall me but with what re-
gret! Oh, could | find any one to
perform this cruel Office tosme! But
there is no time to lose; myself may
become the victim if | spare him"
With these words he took a pistol
from his pocket, and, with trembling
hand, took aim at his faithful servant.
He turned away in agony as he fired,
but his aim was too sure. The poor
animal fell wounded and weltering in
his blood, still endeavoring to crawl
towards his master, as if to tax him
with ingratitude.
The merchant could not bear the
sight. He spurred on his horse with
a heart lull of sorrow, and lamented
he had taken a journey which had
cost him so dear.
Still, however, the money never en-
tered his mind he only thought of
his poor dog, and tried to console him
self with the reflection that he had
prevented q greater evil, By despatch
ing a mad animal, than he had suffer
ed calamity by his loss.
But such thought gave him little
satisfaction.
81 am most unfortunate, said he to
himself; "I would almost rather have
lost my money than my dog"
Saying this, he stretched out his
hand to grasp the treasure. 1t was
missing; no bag was to be found. Ia
an instant he opened his eyes to his
rashness and folly.
Wretch that | am" said he, a
alone am to blame! | could not un
der8tand the meaning of my dogs &C
tions, and | have killed him for his
zeal. He only wished to inform me
Of my mistake, and he has paid fol
his fidelity with his life."
Instantly he turned his horse, and
went off at full gallop to the place
where he had stopped. He saw witt
halfaverted eyes the scene where the
tragedy was acted; he perceived the
traces Of blood as he proceeded ht
was oppressed and distracted; but il
vain did he look for his dog; he was
not to be seen on the road.
At last he arrived at the spot where
! he had left his money. But wha
were his sensations! His heart wa,
, ready to bleed with the sight tina
, then met his view. The poor dog, un
able to follow his dear but cruel mas
7 ter, had determined to give his las
; moments to his service. He had crawl
! ed, all bloody as he was, to the for
gotten bag, and now, in the agonie
. of death, he lay watching beside it.
= When he saw his master he still
! testified his JOY by the wagging of hi
! tail. He could do no more; he trie'
to rise, but his strength was gone
even the caresses of his master coul'
not prolong his life for few moments
He stretched out his tongue to lie
;, the hand that Was now fondling hir
q in the agonies of regret, as if to sea
! forgiveness of the deed that had de
a prived him of life. He then cast
look of kindness on his master an
!, closed his eyes in death.
d A woman is naturally as differen
from a mau as flower from a tree
l she has more beauty and more fir;
t GRANGE, but less strength. She wi
be fitted for the rough and thorn
, walk of masculine professions whe
d she has got rough beard, braze
fro1f opJ 4, ho rd ob,p br< ~ ,oopa,