The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-07-29
BRAVO AND R06K.

"Tell us story, Kate, said Emma.
eyes, do" chimed in Bertha.
"Will you tell us a story ?" said Her
bert.
Thus entreated by these dear, good
children, 1 could not refuse. So while
their three heads, close together, with
their bright faces beaming upon me and
upon each other, formed a pretty picture,
L told them this story about two shep-
erd-dogs, Bravo and Rory.
"When farmer John and his bride
moved into their little white house, "A
mile from the old homestead, they took
with them the young dog, Bravo, and
left Rory to guard the old house. Bravo
was large and wide-awake, but only five
months old. He seemed very happy in
his new home. His master taught him
many useful things /; and for n week or
more Inc showed no signs of home
sickness
"But when old Toss, from thetannery
near by, made an attack upon him, al
though Bravo's heetness saved him from
harm, he began to wish he had never
left his puppy-hood's home to live with
farmer John. Down he sat at the door
of his kennel, with a lonely and for
saken look, trying to smooth down the
hair of his sleek coat that old Toss had
ruffled.
1.-The tanners dog repeated his at
tack for two or three DAYS, and more than
that, drove poor Bravo from his nice
warm quarters at night, compelling him
TO lie ont in the cold. Then Bravo said
to himself: Something must be done.
I dare not fight Toss; for he has long
teeth, and is savage dog-more than a
match for me. L think my best plan is
to so and tell Rory And away he Sped
Just at sunrise, and came back in time
for breakfast, with cheerful look in his
face.
"Now, Rory was steady and brave
and wise. He had no love for running
round nights; so it surprised his master,
when Just as the sun went down that
day, Rory started down the road, andup
the lane to farmer Johns. On he went,
with a grave look, without stopping to
greet any old friend, even with a wag of
his tail Bravo met him, and whisked
around him and after short consulta-
ton, the two dogs crawled into the ken
mel, Rory staying nearest to the door
The moon shone clear and bright,
and all was still until about midnight,
when farmer Johns wife was suddenly
awakened by sound of growing,
snarling and yelping. awake up, John,
quick, quick Get up 7 she shouted.
The farmer leaped from his bed and.
half dressed, ran to the door, thinking
that the dogs were killing sheep; but
instead of sheep, Rory and Bravo had
Toss at their mercy, and were giving
Linn a severe punishment"
GOOD, goodp' shouted Herbert.
"That served him Just right"
But little Bertha turned a wondering
look upon Herbert she could not help
feeling pity even for Toss.
"Let us hear the rest of the story"
said Emma.
So L went on:
THE sharp voice of the farmer made
Rory and Bravo release their victim
and Toss, in a crestfallen way, start d
for his home but, before he could get
over the fence, Rory gave him final
clutch that sent him off yelping. He
never came back and when he met
Bravo afterward, he was careful not to
trouble HIM.
In short time Bravo grew to be SO
strong and brave, that he could fight his
own battles without the aid of his friend
Rory"
The three children, who had listened
very attentively to the story, now talked
1t over aud they came to the conclusion
that Toss received good lesson, and
was probably better dog after it.
For, said Herbert, ga dog who abuses
small dog is almost as mean as n big
boy who tyrannizes over little boy"