Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-06
THE DOG OF hIONrARGIS.

A gentleman bamed Macare, an officer of
the kings body-guard, entertained, for some
reason, bitter hatred against another gentle.
man, named Aubrey de Moutdidier, his com
rade 10 service These two having met in the
Forest Of Bondy, near Paris, Macare took an
opportunity OF treachcrously numbering his
brother officer aud buried him in a ditch.
.Montdldler was unaccompanied at the moment,
excepting by grey hound, with which he had
probably gone out to hunt. 1t is not known
whether the dog was muzzled, or from what
other cause it permitted the deed to be accom-
pllshed without its Interference. BE this as it
might, the hound lay down Oh the grave of it's
master, and there remained till hunger com
PEELED him to rise. 1t then went to the kitchen
of one of Aubrey de Montdidier's dearest
friends, where it was welcomed warmly and
fed. AS soon as its hunger was appeased the
dog disappeared. For several days this CON-
Ing and going Was repeated, till at last the Gu
c!oSlty OF those who saw its movements was ex.
cited, and it was resolved to follow the animal
and see if anything could be learned in expla
nation of Montdidier's sudden disappearance.
The dog was accordingly followed, and was
seen to come to pause on some newly turned
up earth. where it set up the most mornful
Walllngs and howlings. These cries were so
touching that passengers were attracted, and
hnally, digging into the grouod at the spot,
they found there the body of Aubrey de Mont
dider. 1t was raised and conveyed to Paris,
where it was soon afterwards Inferred in one of
the city cemeteries. The dog attached itself
from this time forth to the friend, already men,
tioned, of his late master While attending ou
him, it chanced several times to get sight of
Macaire, and on every occasion it spraug upon
him, and would have stranged him had
it not been taken off by force This intensity
of bate Cd the part of the animal awakened
suspicion that Macaire had had some share in
Montdidier's murder, for his body showed him
10 have met violent death. Charles v, on
beiog informed of the circumstances, wished to
satisfy bimsel of their truth. He caused Ma
care and the dog to be brought before him, and
beheld the animal again spring upon the object
OF its hatred. The king interrogated Macaire
closely, but the latter would not admit that he
bad been In any way eoonccted with Montdi-
iiers murder Being strongly impressed by
conviction that the conduct of the dog was
based on some guilty act of Macaire, the king
ordered combat to take place between the
officer and his dumb accuser, according to the
practice, 10 those days, between human plain
tiffs and defendants. This remarkable combat
LOOK place OD the Isle vi NOlTe lame, at EarlS,
in presence of the whole court. The king allow
ed Macaire to have strong club as defensive
weapon, while on the other hand the only
self preservative means allowed to the dog con-
sisted OF an empty cask, into which it could re-
treat if hard pressed The combatauts appear
ed in the lists. The dog seemed perfectly aware
of its situation and duty For a short time it
leaped actively around Macaire, and then ct
one spring. it fastened itself upon his throat in
so firm manner that he could not disentangle
himself. He would have been strangled had
he not cried for mercy and avowed his crime.
The dog was pulled from off him, but he was
only liberated from its iaDgs to perish by the
hands of the law. The fidelity of this dog
has been celebrated in many a drama and
poem, and it has been usually called the Dog
OF Montargis, from the combat having taken
place at the chateau of MoDtargis. - Chambers
" InecIOtcs of DO0s"