Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-02-03


county had magnificent andmuch valued
bull mastiff. 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, ~ accordance with the then
strict laws, was ordered to be shot. This
order was gwen to one of the servants In
presence of the dog, who was lying on the
stoop, who responded TO the affectionate
farewell OF his master without making O
sign. In the meantime, while the servant
went for his gun, the dog disappeared.
When the servant returned from the sup
posed shooting, the nobleman asked II ID
was all over the servant merely replied,
''The dog 10 out OF the way" A year or
TWO afterward, while the nobleman was
returning from collecting his quarterly
rents on distant estate, accompanied by
his steward or bailiff and his valet, the
coach suddenly broke down in the midst
of a desolaUe moor. They had passed no
house for miles and the night was intensely
dark. After waiting several minutes, the
coachman suddenly cried out, Il see q
light" The valet was Immediately de-
spatched 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-the steward
taking the gold, large sum-proceeded
to the inn where the nobleman was obse-
quiously welcomed by the landlord. AS
they were entering the door, the steward
saw huge bull mastiff stretched across the
threshold and at once exclaimed: "Why,
SIR, that is Duke!" the name of the mastIff
that had been condemned 10 be shot. ''Oh,
no |" 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 mastIf, unperceived by the landlord,
rushed up the stairs in advance, and they
entered the room together. The steward
was assigned the room adjoining, and the
valet and c0achman room III another part
of the inn. When the nobleman had
closed the door, he placed his light on the
stand, divested himself of his pistols, and,
sitting down in chair, called The dog by
the name with which he had been 80
familiar. The faithful animal at once ap-
rnar ne was The 1hFJfg qhessiEe siGns- -nroxed
nobleman sat for long while in bewilder-
ing conlectures as to how the dog hap
pened 10 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 II
and refused with signs OF violence 10 let
him lie down. The nobleman returned 10
his chair, and the dog resumed his position
at his feet. A second attempt was made
10 approach the bed, but with the same re-
suit, the dog becoming more violent. This
set the nobleman to thinking. He remem
bered the large amount of money he had
with him; he took up his pistols to ex-
anime them, and found the priming had
been removed from the pans de nnme-
dlately reprimed and cooked them, and
laid them on the table; then he took up
the chair on which he was sitting, heavy
oak one and threw it on the bed, much 10
the apparent satisfaction of the dog; then
took it off, and arranged the bolster IN It's
place, and waited for what should follow.
About fifteen minutes elapsed when he
noticed the bedstead 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 locking down saw the landlord and his
coachman, one with knife and the other
with bludgeon, and third person with
them. The fends disappointed in their
object and taking the word of the coach
man that 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 confeder'
ate. All three were severely bruised anc
left in charge of the steward and the dog
while the nobleman, as soon as 1t was day
light, went for magistrate, and they were
duly committed, tried, and hung, aftel
making full confession of the plot.