The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-13
Fingaly Or, Murder Will Out.

an early age, in obedience TO instincts de-
scended through long line Of collies, he
commenced the duties of shepherds assis-
tant in the service of his friend and master,
then chief shepherd on the broad acres of
the Duke of Athol. For FIVE years, dating
from the opening of our story, he had dis
charged the duties of his Office with dog
like fidelity, and greatly more than even a
colly's intelligence.
large, strong brute was Fingal being
quite as much the superior in strength 10
those of his breed as he was their master
In sagacity But chiefly was he remarka-
bic for his mental qualities. He was a
very wise dog. Indeed, so undeniable
were his claims to what is understood by
the metaphysician as " reason" that,
throughout the entire county side, it was
said OF him, " He can do everything that's
needed of him but speak
Now. what am going to relate of Fling
as for short he was called-may be re-
garded as truth or not, just as the reader
pleases. | say this because the relation
am about to make regarding him is truly
marvellous. and therefore calculated to
raise doubt.
Fing's master-by one of those pleasing
dispensations which tend so much to rob
death of its terror to their survivors-had
fallen heir TO a few hundred pounds and
being man of much energy OF character,
he adopted the more remunerative bus
mess OF drover, purchasing beeves and
sheep. and disposing of them at fairs. For
three years Thomas Campbell pursued his
risky, wandering profession, each year
adding TO his importance as a dealer in
stock. On all his trips, Fling, of course,
was his never failing companion.
Thomas Campbell was bachelor, and
lived with his brother Duncan, on farm
which they had bought between them.
The place was known as Craigburn, Dun
can was the elder OF the two sons was
married and had family, the Oldest being
almost full grown man.
In those DAYS, facilities in bank ex.
changes were not as they now are so that
persons going to remote places in the
country took whatever cash they might
have along with them in gold thus sub
iectiug themselves TO the risks of robbery
and probable murder.
Mr.. Campbell, in his last trip, had doub-
led the number of the largest herd he had
vet taken. An eager market awaited him
at Falk,rk fair, where his well.known
manly character and fair dealing had made
him n desirable party TO n business trans
action. Disposing of his stock to much
advantage, he started for home. He trav-
ellcd as was usual in those days, on horse.
back, carrying his cash in portmanteau
behind his saddle. But Thomas Campbell
never reached his home.
What became of him. no one knew.
The country was searched but not the
slightest trace could be found of the drover
or his dog. The horse too was missing.
If blood had been split, the sharp, drench-
ing rains of late autumn had washed it all
away Being well-known along the route,
he could be tracked 10 within ten miles Of
Craigbur There, mystery enveloped his
fate in thricc-folded darkness.
His brother had offered reward of five
hundred pounds for the discovery of his
body should he be found dead and if it
appeared that he had been murdered, he
promised the remaining part of Thomas :
fortune, including his share of the farm,
for ,he apprehension of the murderer To
this latter clause the Duke added two hun.
dred pounds from his private purse
Nearly week had passed from the date
when tho drover and the dog were )ast
seen and Sabbath morning found the
afflicted Campbclls still mourning over the
fate of their lost relative. The morning
family service had passed, and Duncan
went out to ponder over the terrible dis
pensation that had stricken the strong mar
down in hisstrength, and deprived him o.
brother He had barely passed the outeI
door when he observed an animal slowly
crawling up the lane leading to the house
What can it be :? - said he.
At first it struck him as if it were steal
ing along to pounce upon some stray do
nestle fowl But, on more closely watch
ing it's motions, he saw that its frequen
stops suggested exhaustion rather than
caution; that its movements partook to-
much of feebleness to be a beast of prey
wolf. for instance, or a large.sized badger
Calling to his son Donald, who stood at tn
window. to come out, they approached tn,
strengthening animal together. 1t hac
stopped, and lay as if incapable of drag
cling itself inch further; ana 7ecin:
them. IL uttered a low, plaintive whine
aud slightly moved its tail
Oh father, it's Fingal cried the son
Is he started with al speed toward the
wretched brute
True enough, Il was Fling bu, 20 ema
'!ated by hunger and bodily suffering a;
to be hardly recognizable
Raising the dog carefully up between
them, in few minutes more he lay upor
soft mat in room adjoining tn,
kitchen. Donald, weeping like boy, sa
down beside him; and rails sing the battered
head on his leg, placed close to his mu2
zle small pan of milk. which he greed
lily but painfully Tapped.
There was not dry eye in the family
each of the household from the "gud
man TO the farm servants, condoling wit
tho SIX innV main cd animal And trul \