New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-27

said Sir Jasper; WhereupOn EI0k10 B0no0
closed the folding doors, which were deco
rated with Scriptural subject in inlait
work, and brought his master the queer lit
tie brass key. The lock was about as veal
and common as q lock could be.
After dinner the fine evening tempted Sil
Jasper to another rsmble. He whistled t.
Sebastian "a he left mis- room, and being
eomewhst absent minded just now, had ne
idea but that the dog vas following till hi
had got about half way down the avenue
when he looked about him and was sur
prised to see no sign of the St. Bernard
He called and whistled, but Sebastian die
not appear.
1.-The old fellow has grown lazy from higl
strolled gaily on, twirling his clouded csnt
and looking up at the rocks holding hoarst
council in the waving elmtOps.
This evening good manners withheld bin
from visiting the cottage; but finding Mr.
Dorillon at the gate he invited that learned
gentleman to accompany him to the parish
church. where the scholar held forth upon
early English and perpendicular styles
paneling and horseshoe arches, stringingt
and mouldings. They wasted some time
pleasantly enough, in the whitew sshei
temple which had once been bright with
rainbow hues. and then strOlled hOmeward
together. Sir Jasper left his friend at the
gates, without having seen Phillis.
His first inquiry, when FloriO Benoni ad
mitted him to the house, was for Sebastian
Florio looked astOnished.
But was not the dog with my lord % he
asked; Il have seen OF him nothing since
dinner"
Hereupon followed much inquiry, and q
prolonged investigation Of the premises in
side and out; but Sebastian was not to be
found.
Sir Jasper was at his Wits ends. Benoni
looked thoughtful.
"Ir might be-" he suggested, gravely,
"that some vsgabond in the neighborhood
has got wind Of the sum of money that my
lord was to receive this evening, and that
the dog has been tempted away-W even
made away WITH
Heaven forbid ~ cried Sir Jasper; II
would as leave lose my best human friend
as Sebastian. know not that have one
80 faithful"
This suggestion of Florio's seemed the
only probable explanation OF the dogs
evanishment.
'As for burglars" said Sir Jasper, II
snap my fingers at them. have . pair of
horse pistols on yOnder shelf that would
make speedy tinish of the rufians, but
am inexpressibly concerned that any villain
should have stolen my dog-to i'll use him,
perhaps"
The young man could almost have shed
tears in his vexatiOn and distress. Even
Phillia Dorillon was forgotten in this
trouble at the loss of Sebastian. Sir Jas
DER went to bed late, and although he dis
missed his valet without the usual evening
lecture from Goldoni or MetastasiO, he was
more wakeful than usual, and tossed and
tumbled from side to side till long after
midnight.
What was that which awaked him sud
denly, just as he was dropping into light
understanding scratching at his door;
. faint and plsintive whine!
He sprsng ont of bed, opened the door,
and Sebastian crawled into the room and
lay at his feet exhausted.
Whence had the faithful creature come,
and who had thus ill-used himl His side
was torn; his head scratched and wounded,
as if he had dragged himself with extreme
difficulty through some narrow outlet; he
was tightly uuzzled, and a remnant of rope
still hanging from his neck showed that he
had been tied up somewhere. But where,
and by whoms ShreGs of moldy straw
we're entangled with his hairy coat; his feet
were wet and dirty. He was altogether
pitiable object.
Sir Jasper cut away the muzzle, which
was most ingenionsly constructed from old
.
and brought him the remains Of
his own light supper from the table in the
The creatures joy and graft
tude were bOupdless, bat he was too ex-
hausted to be noisy in his demonstrations.
He licked his masters hands fondly, and
fawned upon him, and then lay down with
. long sigh Of cOntentment at the foot of
Sir Jaspers bed.
After this Sir Jasper went 20 bed with a
light heart and slept profoundly.
Burglars, defy you y he exclaimed,
as his head sank upon the pillow. He
knew that Sebastian was better defense
than the finest pistols that were ever made.
He woke once in the gray morning,
he had heard noise in the next
:oom; and looking at the open door be-
,ween the two apartments, saw Sebastian
walk slowly across the threshold as if re-
;urnipg from a morning scrutiny of the
premises.
Sir Jasper was curious enough to rise and
,pen his cabinet, the dog watching him in
emily all the while. There was the money
bag, safe enough, in the compartment
where Benoni had placed it.
''Lie down, Sebastian" said Sir Jasper,
till very sleepy, and the St. Bernard laid
himself down like lamb, under the SEM
,lance of q lion.
But when Sir Jasper rose in the broad
laylight, at seven o'clock, he was surprised
o see that Sebastian's jowl was bloody,
nd the blood came from no wound of the
og's own. 1t was the blood of some foe.
CHAPTER Iv.-BENONI's DOOM.
Sir Jasper rang for his valet; but for the
ret time within his memory his summons
emained unanswered. A man accustomed
, very perfect service is prone to become |
xactiDg; and Sir Jasper felt this present |
lattention positive injury. He rang half |
dozen sharp, successive peals, which made |
clamor in the empty echoing gallery; and
came the hOusekeeper's scrub-a |
uxom girl, with broad grin, and strong |
omersetshire dlaleot-and stood on the |
far too frightened at the fne gen.
eman to think Of entering the room.
"Where is Florio" asked Sir Jasper, i'm |
atiently, Disguised at this barbarOus ap-
arition. ~ want my servant"
The girl explained, in tongue that was
most like an unknown language to Sir
asper, that Muster Benonny' was i'll in
ed, and deeply regretted his inability to
tend his master that morning.
"Ill !" cried Sir Jasper, as if it were an
ltrage; "what's the matter with himW
'ZOar vrOut," answered the damsel.
SIS that q complaint peculiar to these
artsV asked the baronet, not IN the least
But after further explanation it dawned
BON him that Benoni was laid up with q
re throat, which ailment being often q
of fever. appealed to the bar
let's humanity as something serious.
"Send for doctor" he said, land let the
'or fellow have every attention. can
ess myself, tell him; he need not be un-
sy about me. And / will come and see
m presently"
The girl departed, and in about ten min
es returned, and informed her master
at Mr.. Benonny had begged hard that no
,glish doctor should be sent for, He quite |
his own ailment, and knew now
cure himself. 1t was a complaint to
1ich he had been always subject.
He has never had it since he has been
my service" said Sir Jasper. II doubt