Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-07-09

standing at the door, looking toward
the direction which the Englishman
had taken, when l heard howls of dis
tress, proceeding from a wounded
| dog that was dragging himself tow
ard me.
Il ran to him, and recognized the
Englishman's greyhound. His head
was torn, evidently by bullet, and
one of his paws broken. l raised
him in my arms and carried him into
the house When 1 crossed the
Threshold he made evident efforts to
escape; so l placed him on the
ground. Then, in spite of the tor
ture he was suffering, which caused
him to stagger every moment, he
scratched at the door of the room
where his master had slept, moaning
piteously, that l could scarcely help
weeping myself. 1 opened the door,
and with a great effort he got into
the room, looked about, and not find
ing whom he sought, he fell down
motionless.
Il called my father, and perceiving
that the dog was not dead, we gave
him all possible assistance, taking in
deed as much care of him as though
he had been 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 pur-
pose of binding up his wounds. As
soon as he was able to walk, he
would often 90 toward the mountain,
and be absent for hours. The sec
ond time this occurred we followed
him. He proceeded as far as part
of the road where narrow detile
borders precipice; there he contin-
ued for a long time, smelling and
scratching about. We conjectured
that the Englishman might have
been attacked by robbers on this
spot, and his dog wounded in de-
Tending him. However no event of
the kind had occurred in the coun-
try, and after the strictest search no
corpse could be discovered. Recol-
lecting, 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, testify
ing the utmost gratitude for our
kindness. His intelligence and good
humor attracted the strangers who
frequented our inn, while the inscrip-
ton on his collar and the tale we had
to tell of him failed not to excite
their curiosity. One morning in au
tump, ] had been out to take walk,
accompanied by Bevis. When | re-
turned, 1 found seated by the fire, in
the common hall, newly arrived
traveller, who looked around as l en-
tered. As soon as he perceived Bevis
he started and called him. The dog
Immediately started toward him with
frantic demonstrations of joy. He
ran round him, smelling his clothes
and uttered the sort of salutatiOn
with which he honored you just now,
and finally placing the forepaws on
the travellers knees, began to lick his
face.
"'Where is your master, Bevis?
Where is Sir Arthur said the
stranger, in English.
The noble dog hOwled piteOusly, |
and laid down at the travellers feet. |
Then the latter begged us to explain
his presence. l did so; and as he |
listened l saw a tear fall on the
beautiful head of the greyhound,
who he leaned over to caress.
Monsieur said he, addressing
me, from what you tell me, l venture
to hope that Sir Arthur still lives.
We have been friends from child
hood. About three years since he
married rich heiress, and this dog
was presented to him by her. Bevis |
was highly cherished for his fidelity, |
quality which unhappily was not
possessed by his mistress. She left |
her fond and loving husband, and
eloped with another man. Sir Ar !
thur sued for a divorce and obtained
it; then having arranged his affairs
in England. he set out for the Cont
nent, followed only by his dog. His
friends knew not whittier he went.
Doubtless, the presence of Bevis,
evermore recalling the memory of
her who had so cruelty wronged him,
must have torn his heart, and at
length impelled him to destroy the
faithful creature. But the shot not |
having been mortal, the dog, imag |
inc, when he recovered consciousness,
was led by instinct to seek the house
where his master last slept. Now,
Monsieur, he is yours, and l hearth
ly thank you for the kindness you
have shown him.
"About ten o'clock the stranger re-
tired to his room, after having ca
ressed Bevis, who escorted him to his
door, and then returned to his accus
toned place before the fire. My pa
rents and the servants had retired to
rest, and prepared to follow their
example-my bed being placed at
one end of the common hall. While
1 was undressing 1 heard storm ris-
ing in the mountains. Just then
came a knocking at the door, and
Bevis began to growl. asked who
was there? A voice replied, two
travellers, who want a nights lodg |
ing 1 opened a small chink of the
door to look out, and perceived two
ragged men, each leaning on large
club. 1 did not like their looks; and
knowing that several robberies had
been committed in the neighborhood,
1 refused them admission, telling
them that in the next village they
would readily. find shelter. They ap-
preached the door as though they
meant to force their way in, butt .Bev
is made his voice heard in so formid-
able a manner that they Judged it
nr,,dent tn retire I hOlted the door |