The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-01
Tho Bull Dog,

county had magnificent and much valued
bull masliff. This dog had been accused
of sheep-killing. Though the gentleman
refused to credit the accusation, the evi-
dence OF several was so incontrOvertiblc
that the dog, IN accordance with tho then
strict laws, was ordered to be shot. This
order was given to one of the servants in
presence of the dog, who was lying on the
stoop, who responded to the affectionatc
farewell of his master without making a
sign. In the meantime, while tho servant
went for his gnn, the dog disappeared.
When tho servant returned from the sup
posed shooting, the noblenan asked If it
was all over the servant merely replied,
"Iho dog is out OF the way" A year or
TWO afterward, while the nobleman was
returning from collecting his quarterly
rents Oh distant estate, accompanied by
his steward or baliff and his valet, the
coach suddenly broke down In the midst
of desolale moor. They had passed no
house for miles and the night was Intensely
dark. Aftor waiting several minutes, the
coachman suddenly cried out Il see a
light" The valet was Immediately de-
spatchcd to ascertain what the light de-
noted, and shortly returned with the an
nouncement that he had found comfort
able inn. The horses were removed from
the carriage, and the party-tho steward
taking the gold, large sum--proceeded
to the inn where the nobleman was obse-
qniously welcomed by the landlord. AS
they were entering the door, The steward
saw huge bull mastiH stretched across the
threshold and at once exclaimed: "Why,
Sir, that is Dukel" the name of the maatllf
that had been condemned to be shot, "Oh,
mol" said the nobleman; "Duke was shot
years ago." And, to satisfy the steward
he called the dog by the familiar name !;
but the dog gave no sign of recognition.
After partaking of hearty meal, the land
lord conducted the party to their rooms.
AS the nobleman passed through the hall,
the mastlf, unperceivod by the landlord,
rushed up the stairs in advance, and they
entered the room together. The steward
was assigned tho room adjoining, and the
valet and cOachman room Ill another part
Of. the inn. When the nobleman had
closed the door, he placed his light on the
stand, divostcd himself Of his pistols, and,
sitting down in q chair, called the dog by
the name with which he had been so
familiar. The faithful animal at once ap-
preached, and by expressive signs proved
that he was the long mourIed Duke. The
noblcman sat for long while in bewildcr-
ing conJccturcs rs to how the dog hap
pcned TO be there, and why his servant
should have told him he was shot. At
length he understood, and was approach
ing the bed, when the dog jumped upon it
and refused with signs OF violence to let
him lie down. The nobleman returned to
his chair, and the dog resumed his position
at his feet. second attempt was made
TO approach the bed, but with the same re-
INIf fl,alI ri
set the nOblcman to thinking. Tic rcmem.
bcrcd the large amount of money he had'
with him; he took up his pistols to ex-
anime them, and found the pruning had
been removed from the pans lie imme-
dlately reprimed and cooked them, and
laid them on the table; then he took up
the chair on which he was sitting, a heavy
oak one aud threw it on the bed, much 10
the apparent satisfaction Of the dog; then
took it OFT, and arranged the bolster III it's
place, and waited for what should follow.
About fifteen minutes elapsed when he
noticed the bcdstead began to settle and
continued to settle gradually until it had
disappeared through trap, in the floor.
lie sat opposite TO the edge of the trap,
and looking down saw tho landlord and his
coachman, one with knife and the other
with bludgeon, and third person with
them. The tiends disappointed in their
object, and taking the word of the coach
man chat the pistols were harmless, started
for the nobleman's room; but he had
aroused his steward and was prepared. AS
they opened the door they were met by the
nobleman and the dog. The latter seized
the landlord by the throat, while the
steward appeared on the spot just as the
valet was coming to the aid of his confcder-
ate. All three were severely bruised and
left in charge of the steward and the dog :;
while the nobleman, as sool as it was day
light, went for magistrate, and they were
duly committed, tried, and hung, after
making full confession of the plot.