Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-03-13
Phil. Sheridan's Namesake.
A STORY FOR LITTLE FOLKS.


| What do you suppose he Isl "a
boy.baby, of course" Notexactly;
but a splendid Newfoundland dog.
You all have seen him, l suspect. A
noble fellow he is, too. When he
was pup he was full OF his antics,
and delighted to run off with the
sewing or knitting. He learned
many tricks, some Of them quite
useful. He would carry a basket
or bundle very nicely. His master
was fond Of him, and got him pref.
ty kennel and q shining brass col.
lar.
One day Phil. Sheridan was not
to be found, high or low. He wasn't
in the attic, or in the cellar, or in
the cistern, for it was shut tight. l
think they looked up the spout,
Just because some mischievous ur.
chin suggested that he had gone up
it. When "the boys were marching"
they never "tramped" more than
his owner did to find Phil. But it
was all in vain. Finally, there ap.
peared in the Commercial a notice
something like this: ......,
TWENTY. FIVE DOLLARS REWARD
will be paid for the return, to 500
West Ninth Street, of large New
foundland dog, about six months
old. Had on, when lost, brass
collar with his own name, "Phil
Sheridan" and his owners engrav-
ed on it. TO-,
For about a week after that, 500
West Ninth Street was study for
a painter. Boys, with ragged pants
and dilapidated hats, dragging for
lorn-looking yellow puppies, flank
ed by other boys with miscellan-
eous assortment Of sore-eyed pood-
les, and limping and stump-tailed,
and crop-eared spaniels, terriers,
and bulldogs, besieged the door,
until Bridget was threatened with
and life became bur.
den. But, at last, a man brought
Phil himself, and great was the joy
But these rascally boys! Phil
couldn't go out for run on the
sidewalk, but they would catch him
and take him home and expect are
ward! However, Phil didn't mind
it much, and grew greater, and
glossier, and nicer every day.
This Summer he was taken to
Vermont, and left on farm. His
master had a comfortable cage made
for him, and paid the Express CON-
pany to feed and water him on the
ears. Phil's joy on getting out Of
MS cage, at his journeys end, knew
no bounds. His master was sorry
10 part with him, aud so, before he
;ook him away, had Benton paint
lis portrait in oil. 1t is a fine pic.
;ure, and shows Phil at his best.
You may have seen it on exhibition
1t Wiswelrs, where it attracted
much notice. This portrait has
,een photographed, and copies pre-.
ented to Phips special friends.
His master was "a bold soldier
10Y" in the First Vermont Cavalry,
j regiment that captured twenty
even cannon at Cedar Creek, and
vas a favorite with General Sheri.
Ian, and so he named his dog for
he general. He sent the general
,hoto of his namesake, and receiv-
d the following reply, which Phil
will certainly be proud to read:
FORT SILL, INDrAk TERRITORY,
October l8, 1874.
MY DEAR j. HALE POWERS:
his mornings courier brought the
photo" Of my namesake, for which
return my thanks. He must be
ne specimen. Thanking you for
he kind remembrance, and hoping
hat 1 may before long have the
leasure of seeing you, one of the
Id regiment for which l have the
yarmeSt attachment.
am yours truly,
p. II. SHERIDAN,