The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-02-16
CANINE FIDELITY.

A French merchant, having some
money due him in ucighboring village
set out on horse back, accompanied by
his dog, in order to recover it. ssHaving
settled the business, he set out fol 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 alight.
cd to rest in the shade, and taking the
bag Of money in his hand, laid it down
by his side under hedge, aud, Oh re-
mounting, forgot it. The dog. per-
ceiving the forgctfulncss of his master,
ran to fetch the bag, but it was too
heavy for him to drag along.
lie then ran back to his master, and
by whioing. barking, and bowling, seem.
I'd to erdcavor to remind him of his
mistake. The merchant did not under
stand his language but the faithful
creature pcrsevercd 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 who'll )
Iorgetful Of his bag of money, began to
think the dog was mad. Full of this
suspicion, in crossing brook, he turned
back to see if tho dog would drink
but the faithful animal, too intent on
his masters business to think Of itself,
continued to bark aud bite with greater
violence than before.
"Mcrcy !" cried the afflicted merchant,
cit must be so; my poor dog is ccrtainy y
mad what must do ? must kill him.
lest some greater misfortune bcfhll nc,
but with what regret Oh, could l find
any one to perform this cruel Office for
me. But there is no time to lose; my
self may become the victim if spare
him"
With these words he took q pistol
from his pocket, and, with trembling
hand, took aim ut his faithful servant.
lie turned away in agony us he fired.
but h s aim was too sure. The poor
animal fell wounded and wcltcring in
his blood, still cndcavoring to crawl to
wards his mastcr, as if to tax him will.
ingra,itudc.
The merchant could not bear the
sight lie spurrcd on his horse with II
heart full Of sorrow, and lamcnted lie
had taken 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 himself
with the reflection that he had prevent
ted gcatcr evil. by lispatching mad
nimal. than he had suffered calamity
by his los,
But such thought gave him little
satisfaction
IL am most unfortunate" said he to
himself 81 would almost rather have
lost my money than my dog"
Saying this he stretched out his hand
grasp the treasure. 1t was missing
no bag was to be found. In an instant
he opened his eyes to his rashness and
folly
"Wrctch that am" snid he, III
alone am to blame I could not under
stand the meaning of my dogs actions,
and have killed him for his zeal. lie
only wished to inform me of my mis-
take. and he has paid for his fidelity with
his life"
Instantly he turned his horse, and
went off at full gallop to the place
where he had atoppcd. lie saw with
half avcrtcd eyes the scene where the
tragedy was acted he perceived the
traces of blood as he proceeded he
was oppre sed and distracted but in
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 what were
his sensations his heart was ready to
bleed with the sight that then met his
view. The poor dog, >unable to follow
his dear but cruel master, had dcternin.
cd to give his last moments to his ser.
vice. lie had crawlcd, all bloody as he
was, to the forgotten bag, and now ia
the agonics OF death he lay watching
beside it.
When ho saw his master he still tes
tilted his JOY by the wagging of his tail
He could do no more he tried to rise
bat his strength was gone; even the
caresses of his muster could not prOlonp
his life for q few moments.
He stretched out his tongue to lick
the hand that was now fondling him in
the agonies of regret, as if to seal forgiv.
ness Of the deed that had deprived hin
of life. He then cast look of kind.
ness ON his master and closed his eyes it
death.
A Miss Marshall. who has been lcctur