The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-07-02

Away up among the hills of New
Hampshire, there once stood-and
stands yet, | suppose large,
handsome house, which was the
home of Mr.. Mason Brown-Squire
Brown, es be was called throughout
the nesghborhocu
This house stood Oh q bread road
which led away through the hills,
past the blue lake whose willing wa
tiers set 50 many mills IN motion, and
on, on, the dear knows where, for
| don't.
II was the abode Of wealth aud
hospitality. No belated traveller,
losing his way among those woody
hills, need pass Squire Browns
door, for it stood always open. Or,
at least, opened so readily to the
slightest tap. that you felt sure a
warm and hearty selcome waited
behind il.
Squire Browns family consisted
of himself, his good wife; TWO or
three manly sons, and az many pref
ty daughters-reai, huxom, New
England girls. who could play with
equal skill on a wasbing-machine or
a piano, and were something more
and better than mere doll babies, to
be dressed up in ruiles aad tucks,
iounces and iu~rbelows, and not good
for anything else.
There was another member OF
Squire Browns family who deserves
introduction, and that was Jerry, q
big, shaggy dog, black as a tar buck
ct, nearly as big as young calf, but
as gentle IS a kitten.
Jerry was 3 favorite with all the
family, especially with his master,
whom he would follow everywhere,
until the girls laughingly called him,
"pa's guardian angel" Poor, good,
old Jerryl l don't doubt be did
have more Of the angel in his eompo.
sition than many who belong to the
human race, ana when he dies, ! be-
lieve he will be sure to go to the hap
Ply land of Canine"
There was one place to which Jer-
ry delighted to go, and that was to
church. Regular as the Sunday
morning arrived, Jerry established
himself on the front porch, to wait
till the family came out, dressed for
church. And then he would take up
his line OF march just behind them,
enter the church, walk grayely up
the long aisle and take q seat in the
pew. Sometimes, when the pew was
not full, he would be allowed TO sit
40 on the cushions; otherwise, be
would sit on the floor. Whenever
he took his post, there he would qui-
city remain through the entire SER
vice, except when the congregation
arose for prayer or singing, then Jer-
~ would gravely rise too, and wheh
the service was over would demurely
sit down again.
And in this, I'm sure he was a
good example to some boys and girls
| know, and TO some who arc not
boys or girls either; but who a go
TO church, and so far forget that they
are visiting God in his own house,
where, at least, he is entitled to their
respect, as to laugh aud whisper dur
ing the solemn services.
| believe | must confess that Jerry
would sometimes go 10 sleep. But
then, we can't blame bin, for there
are many far older and wiser and of
higher race than poor Jerry who go
TO sleep in church sometimes; espe-
cially if the day is little bos, aud
the sermon a little dull, and we GER
tainly can't expect more of E dog
than o man.
l spoke at first of the broad, blue
lake just above the village. At the
head of this lake was a large dam.
One Sunday morning, very early
the people were reused from their
warm beds, by q dali, heavy roar,
like distant thunder. This was sue.
ceeded by a loud crash, and then o
long, low roar, at that, people sprang
to their doors and windows, crying,
| 1.-THE dam the dam the DAM has
!, burst!"
! 1t was quite true: the dam had
? given way !; and the lake was rush
T ing in torrents past their very front
doors. Fortunately the homes
around the lake lay high and dry.
There was 40 loss Of life, and not q
very great loss OF property, except to
j the owners Of the dam. Bat the
} roads were covered waist-deep with
water, and nobody could go to church
that day, except a few who lived
: verv near.
, Going from Squire Browns was
, impossible. The family beiook them
selves to reading, all excep: Jerry
who, when the first bell rang, and be
did not see the usual preparations,
! became very uneasy, going from one
to another, wagging his tail, with an
: anxious expression, as II he would
ask, whats up? why done we &c
to church ~
. "No, Jerry, no! Can't go to-day
7 said his master at last. Just then
! the second bell rang, the sound com
E ing up clear and strong from the vii,
lage. Jerry could stand it no longer,
, but at ouce began to whine at the
door.
: Jerry is determined the family
shall be represented" said one of the
boys.
"Well, let him out,n said Squire
He'll find that be cannot cross the
road, and then he'll come back home