The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-17
A Dog Pensioners
TALE or Tug FIDELITY OF A NEW MEXICAN
SHEPHERD DOC.


Mer,torious services are not always re-
warded, especially In republics, which are
prcyerbially ungrateful. The Nihiists Of
Russia, who seek to merit the gratitude oil
their countrymen by blowing up the Czai
with guupswder and dynamite instead OF
bring some red.headed woman to "olo"
him IN" In the conventions benedlctine
style. usually receive no greater reward tnaa
the DESTROYER OF Irish landlords or the road
agents OF the plains, when they are taken
srcb zeal as theirs Is TOO conspicuous 10
be properly appreciated by the envious
xvor,a The soldier who nobiy dies
for his country on the field OF battle Is hus-
tled into shallow pit, and bis poor widow
and ornhans. when "the cruel warts over
arc regardcd as having no claim upon the
fortunate stay.at.homes who would prefer
"a ecbt by telephone rather than face the
naked music Of the battle. The worker
who creates wealth by his ingenuity ana
his mus,le is not the one who always gets
rich bv II. The philosopher who makes
discovery that benefits the whole human
roce is first met with indifference ana In
credulity on all sides; but when nc has
fused his thoughts, his health, and almost
his life into the new creation, ana u taxes
tangible shape, then the world believes III
him, and shows It's appreciation OF MS ge-
MUS BY endeavoring 10 steal or appropriate
In some way the fruits OF his endeavors'
Every man, high or low, who has a noble
ambition, finds disbursement AT every
..eo and many OF those who might under
HAMMER conditions become marked and re-
markable men are repressed, discouraged,
often ill-treated, and die in the ranks WITH
ont recognition and without regret, the VIC
Tins of A strife in which the victory is not
always TO the strongly deserving, nor the
reward TO the yirtu0us. This Is one view
10 take OF II. IL Is not cheerful view. IL
is not exactly Just view. IL is one-sided
The sense OF Justice Is not dead among men,
The desire 10 reward merit Is not generally
wanting, though the opportunity to do so is
not always at hand. Where greed or self
jshuess does not interfere, all other things
being equal, the universal impulse Is TO APP
plaud noble action and 10 reward bdehty
and faithful service. That this Is not always
done is norbecause IL Is an exceptional im-
pulse, but because something else heads IT
Oh, claiming for the time the most attention,
ill It is forgotten.
Remarkable instances Of fidelity, how
ever, are nearly always recognized and
sometimes rewarded among men; but 1t Is
very rare 10 find animals included in this
however, has occurred in this country, in
the Territory OF New Mexico, where the
Legislature, by joint action, pensioned
dog for noble services. In that country
there are many sheep farms. and shepherd
dogs are so well trained in the work OF
caring for the flocks of their masters that it
is their daily practice to take out the focks
IN the morning to pasture, guard them all
day, and al night return them TO the fold or
corral. This work OF the Mexican dogs is
30 common and 50 faithfully performed
that it Is looked upon as matter OF course,
and nothing more than should be expected
from any well-traiDed dog. This being the
case, it would appear that the dog who was
worthy of pension in that Territory must
have performed some very marvellous feat
indeed, and something out Of the common
line OF canine achievement. And he did.
He did not save his mistress life from the
murderous fury OF the savage, nor her child
from being Drained against door-post, or
being choked by q huge black snake, for his
master was not married. and had no wife or
babe, but led a solitary life in bis solitary
ranch in very solitary part Of New Mexico
But it CHANGED, once on time, that the dog
in question, on returning OF an evening
with his sheep TO the fold, discov-
cred that his master was not stirring
about, but remained inside the shanty and
kept very quiet. The next evening il was
the same. The dog, when be penned up the
sheen, repaired to the sbanty, smelt through
a crack in the door bis masters presence,
but the man was still quiet and did not
breathe. The dog scratched, barked, and
even howled, but no response came from
within. The door remained closed, no
smoke rose from the chimney TO greet the
early morn but the dog. true to his APP
pointed duty, went out with the sheep on
the third day, and cared for them while they
cropped the heritage on the hill'sides. But
he was getting hungry, and that night when
he drove the flock into their pen the last one
TO attempt TO 60 10 became the victim to his
appetite.
This method Of providing for his own
wants became portion of the faithful
dogs daily duty. Every evening the last
sheep to try to enter the fold was seized by
him and served for supper and for break,
fast and dinner the following day. A.
stated before, the ranch to which the dog
belonged was In a solitary part OF the Ter
ritory, and out OF the track OF travel and
social intercourse or visitation. For two
wears from the time OF the masters death
as ascertsined by data lett by the latter-the
faithful dog tended the flock committed
10 his charge, and had fresh mutton for
supper every night. The flock was not
decimated by this steady drain upon its re-
sources. On the contrary, 1t increased in
numbers; aud when, at the end OF two
years from the time OF the death OF the pro-
prietOr, the ranch was visited and the re-
mains OF the poor fellow found, the dog
was still at bis post OF duty, jealousy
guarding his flock and driving them to the
best pastures every day, and to the fold at
night, before which he slept, to keep the
wild sheep-eaters Of the plains at a civil
distance.
Such fidelity excited admiration where
the story was told. and the Arcadian legis-
lators Of the Territory, in ft Of generosity
and enthusiasm, at their session two years
ago Qhey have biennial sessions i'm that
happy country. granted pension for life
to that dog, to be paid from the State Trea-
sury, as a reward for his fidelity. and 10
doubt as an encouragement 10 all other
shepherd-dogs in that Territory TO be
good dogs and faithful. And thus
endetb the tale Of the good sbepbel d.
dog OF New Mexico. Little children, lay
this lesson TO heart. Though you all can
not be shepherd dogs in New Mexico, and
have fresh mutton for supper every night, |
yOu can be faithful TO your trust, and II |
you don't get pension from the legislators
n ha eft hapaufb tho e,ilAaH do,na ynu ,nox