The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-03-17
joe, Dog Brave.
A STORY FOR THE BOYS.
RY WINNIE VERNON.

ny WINNIE VERNON.
Joe's home was beside the blue Ohio
river. His father was doctor, aud also
owned drug store. Joe was very fond
of pets, and had given to him fine dog,
whom he named Brave"
Joe's father lived on Water street.
The house was brick and had long porch
in front, where Brave always took up his
quarters for the night.
Joe had big brother whose name was
John. He was clerk on u steamboat
This boat made two trips up and down
the Ohio each week, starting from Pitts.
burgh and going as far as Cincinnati
Very oitea when the boat would lie at the
landing, John would get of and come up
to the house or store to see the iulKs
When he went back TO the boat, Joe oil
his father would often walk down 20 the
river with him. OF course. Brave must
follow. ln this way he came to know
John, and the sound of his boats whistle
Sometimes the boat would come in the
night, and the family would have some
word Or n package for John. ifso. al
they had TO do was to take the note oil
bundle, throw it down beside Brave on
tho porch and say, BOAT, John" and
they gave themselves no more concern
about the matter.
Well, rs soon ns Johns boat would
whistle, up would spring Brave. and, tax
ing the letter or package in his mouth
would be at the wharf when the hoal
landed. lie wonld wait moment to sc,
il John would come to take it. fhe did
not, he would go aboard, hunt up The
clerk, and, springing toward him, wonld
present the package. Jphu wa. cure Il
pat him, call him Good dog" and aitsr
staying with him little while, hearin,
his own praise, Brave would walk soberiy
over the planks to shore and HON,
again.
In this way he was of great service IL
the family. / lie always would carry the
meat or vegetables from market, ant
faithfully guard what was trusted to hi.
care. If the boys did not wish to 90 tt
market themselves. they had only to writ,
an order on slip of paper, and send i
in the BASKET
Then this dog seemed to have memory
too, for ooe day IN running over cellar
door it sprung in with him, aud landed
his unfortunate dogship down anon,
the potatoes and cabbages Of green
grocer. Poor Brave. lie was takeI
out u little lame. and never would eros
the same door again. No matter wha
his hurry, he would run in the middle
Of the street for half blocks distance
and then come on the sidewalk again.
Some very cold nights in winter, h
slept by the fire in the dining room
Now one night abou. twelve o'clock
there was great noise down stairs
What could Brave he barking so at
The whole family was aroused. Joe, VIII
was ike an India.ruhbcr ball, Away
ready to sp'ing, jumped from his bed an
was down 10 n minute.
There lay brave, rolling and lunblin
before the crate on the floor Joe wen
nearer, aud saw tina. some hot Goals ha
fallen from the fire, aud that large hol
was burned in The carpet.
The noble dog, falling to bring help q
once by barking, had burned all the hal
off one side, in trying to roll om the fir,
Don't you thiuk he was well named, boys
How many of yOn would have beeu a
"bravc" for others sakc2 Well, yo
r need not answer. but remember II dog ha
, good deal Of seuse. aud his opinion Of
boy may he worth something after all
a Aud what opinion do you suppose
3 sensible dog can have Of a boy who car
not invent sou bstler sport than 10 ii