South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-05-24
SAVED by a Dog.

nat au ABOUT 70 relate occurred
curing the FeDian agitation, With
which the whole Of Ireland was 6istur-
bed come years ago, My husband was
agent or Lord Rymer, and as his pro-
perty vas very extensive, 1t took a
considerable time to collect the rents
from the numerous tenants. l always
felt nervous while my husband was
away for this purpose, but more than
usually SO at this time, because, in all
directions around, bands of them we're
going about making raids on houses
ior arms, sometimes, but very seldom,
demanding money, and altogether caus.
ing great terror and excitement.
The place where we lived was about
seven miles from town. The house was
large one, and there was a nice lawn
in front, and at the back flower gar
den, beyond which was a shrubberv
leading down 70 boreen that Joined
the high road about mile further
down.
On account of the disturbed state of
the country, the former tenant had had
every shutter lined with strong iron
plates. and extra strong bolts and locks
put upon all the doors, which we're also
protected by strong sheets of iron My
father and mother lived near the town.
and before my husband came 10 Ash
grove we had a pretty place near them
so l used to feel very lonely sometimes
at being so far away, and wished from
my heart that L could establish tele.
graph communication from one house
to the other, so that we could send mes.
sages TO and fro, for messengers were
scarce in our neighborhood. However
at last thought Of a plan. We had q
splendid Newfoundland dog, a most in.
telligent creature he could be taught
anything and understood almost every
word we said to him. would teach
Rory to carry a note for me and bring
back the answer. Very quickly he learu-
ed his lesson, and greatly delighted my
mother and sisters were when they saw
him coming up the garden path, know
ing that he had note from me tied a.
round his neck, hidden in his black
curly hair. In the same way he would take
a message to my husbands office, and
ii William was out.he would wait for him
but lie never dreamed of coming back
without an answer.
1t was near the end of September,
and the half years rent had to be col.
lected. William usually went by him.
self, but az, there had been frequent
robberies lately, I sntreated him to
take Jerry the coachman with him. He
refused at first, but on seeing how nervous
| was about it, he ut length consented to
do 80. 1 asked him to try to be home
before dark If possible. but he told me
not TO expect him before ten o clock. j
felt very uneasy all day, as OF course it
was known to many that he would h av @
large sum OF money with him on his
return, and l feared he might be way
laid and robbed. tue road he had to
come by being very lonely one.
AS ten o clock drew near, could not
rest, and every five minutes I ran to
the door TO try ifI could hear the
horses coming up the avenue. / heard
them at last; and OH ! how thankful |
was that William was safe at home a.
gain
Had you any adventures on your
way = asked.
No, indeed, Bella, except that about
three miles down, just i'm the turn. Jer-
g horse came near falling over some,
thing II was too dark TO see what it
was, but Captain must have seen it, for
he gave sudden spring, and jumped
clear over Whatever was there
Deed a'am,' said Jerry, it were
something vary strange, and heard a
quare kind o. noise like in the hedge
alongside Of US. Ride on sir, as fast "a
ye can ses to the mastlier, and NAV
the Holy Virgin be between us and all
harm
The horses were taken to the stable
and put up for the night, and we had
nearly done tea when Jerry came to
say that he had just heard that Tom
llurley's wife was dead. and TO know
II he might go to the wake As il
would have been considered dreadful
insult on his part not to have gone, of
course we gave him the desired permits.
sion.
We sat and chatted for q while by the
IRE, and went to bed. Presently
we heard loud knocking at the hall
door and a violent pulling at the bell
William opened the window and asked
who was there and what was wanted.
Are you Mr.. ThorntonY said a
voice.
'Yes-what do you wantv
The house next your Office is on fire
SIR said the stranger. 4 have been
sent TO tell you so. II you have any.
thing Of value there, you had better 90
at once and have them removed to a
safe place. will ride on and say you
are coming
As soon as nc said this he palloped
off before we had time 20 thank him for
coming to tell us.
What provoking thing that this
fire should occur now, William, said
just as you arrive at home, tired after
being out all day, and Jerry gone away
too y Who will saddle the horse for
your
i can manage nil that myself, Bella 1;
but confess don't like leaving Won
alone with only two servants, when
there Is so much money about the house.
| brought nearly two thousand pounds