Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-29
NO. lo2.
A DOG STORY.

mlldness of temper, the keen intelligence.
the grand physical proportions, and the
spirit within him, were each of that quail
lty which stamps either man or beast with
the deserved words, "highest type of bis
race" For we hold that the man born of
the people, with no ancestry, no wealth,
no outside advantages, who proves him
self, nevertheless. to be true, brave, en-
ergetic, religious and refined, is the
thoroughbred man of his generation. So.
also, it is with a horse or dog.
Hero was self-made. He came into the
world with most conglomerate heritage
OF marks indicative of mixed ancestry:
and as to whether his father was patrician,
there Is very aristocratic haziness. In
form he was very much like the grey
hound. His limbs were long and slender,
but very muscular. The hair set close to
the skin, with no loose, shaggy locks,
which in dog of his style, would be un-
slightly. He had the head of a mastiff.
Ills color was lioniike,-a tawny yellow
brown. His feet were webbed and the
spaces between the toes were singularly
broad. lie was enormous in stature and
in voice. When his master stood erect,
with one arm out, Hero would rise up and
place his huge paws on the arm, stretch
ing his long, pointed muzzle quite above
his owners head, thus measuring nearly
six feet in height. He weighed over one
hundred pounds. His deep bay startled
the echoes at night into resonance which
seemed like the double bass of an organ
and his rollicking glad barks of delight
were fairly deafening in their vehemence.
Or course he was a remarkable crea-
m n" " q ,nf tai
article; but it may be said of US, as it is
of every baby's mother and every sewing
machines owner, that partially makes US
assert that there never was and never
could be another "Hero" in a dogs age.
More intelligent than child, or half the
grown folks, he evidently understood all
that we said to him. He was very obe-
dent excepting in one thing. He would
bark outrageously at the horses when the
carriage first started from the door; and
no amount of punishment ever broke him
of the habit. He seemed to think it of the
highest importance that he should accom-
pany the carriage; and if forbidden to 90
would disappear, leaving us to suppose
that he had gone to his kennel. After we
had ridden half mile, however. we would
espy him, trotting in front of the horses,
plume waving and evidently chuckling to
think he had gotten his own way and
come too, although he had cheated his
master and had been obliged to run across
ditch and woodland to accomplish it.
He was seldom allowed to enter the
hot-bed yard for fear that he might jump
upon the sash and break it by his great
weight. One morning, Hero did not ap-
pear for his breakfast, and many conjec-
lures were made about the broken glass.
AT about ten in the morning we saw our
farmer coming up the road and Hero fol.
lowing on three legs. dragging himself
along as though exhausted.
Running down, we found indeed that
our poor fellow was fainting from loss of
blood. He had evidently forgotten his
orders in the chase after a cat or rabbit
and had dashed through the panes of the
hot-bed, cutting himself fearfully in two
or three places. Knowing he had done
wrong, he had hidden in the woods rather
than to face our reproof; and had he
not fortunately been found, would without
doubt have died there alone.
Quickly as horse could travel, a surgeon
was brought and the wound was dressed.
"lf you can keep him STILL" said the ply
slclan, ''you can save him; but of course
you cannot" The patient looked up with
his great knowing eyes and seemed to
comprehend the situation perfectly. The
intelligence of his countenance convinced
us that we could do it and we did. We
saved both lite and limb. For week he
was moved only as we moved him. We
would lay him upon his side, with pillows
under his head and blankets to cover him;
and for tbran wpaLyS W OF
in the night to turn him over, give him a
drink, tuck him up and say few comfort
ing words; and we always found him in
tie morning precisely as we left him. In
three months he could run as well as ever;
but he never forgot his accident. aud when
ever we wanted him to go and do any
thing that he disliked he would always
hold up the hurt leg, hop along on three
and look into our faces, as much as if to
say, "How can you ask a poor lame dog
gle to do such thing as that p'
lie never allowed strange dogs near the
place. and had some queer ways of show
ing them how completely he was master
of the field. We were wakened one night
by queer kind of growing under our
window. 1t was bright moonlight and
we could see that Lord Hero had laid
another dog flat on his side and coolly
sat down upon him. If the beaten dog
wiggled little, not exactly relishing
hundred pounds weight upon him. Hero
would look around at him and growl. then
quietly resume his contemplatons. He
was always ready to accompany us in our
neighborly visits. and that delight was
usually shared with our pet cat, for whom
he had a great regard, playing with her
and bearing her little spurts of temper
with kindness and magnanimity.
1t there were any packages to carry he
was always ready with his strong Jaws
and steady feet. One day neighbor gave
us basket OF eggs. Hero wanted to be
eXpressman, as usual. After cautioning
him about the value of his load, we gave
them into his charge. All went well un-
til we were halfway home, when who
should appear coming to meet us but Kitty
Puss. What to do at first he did not know.
1t would be very ungallant not to greet
her or join in the frolic which she evident
ly expected; but there were the eggs to
be carried for US. For moment he stood
still; then, turning around. came slowly
back to us, set the basket carefully down
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