Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-08-18

parent in his long, melancholy visage.
His enemy is not burglar or another
dog it is simply and vaguely the thun-
der Of the heavens. Plato's battles with |
the thunder-storms are widely known |
and often talked of in the neighborhood. |
As we come here in the heart of the
thunderstorm season, have had oppor-
tunity to see Plato in full operation.
As the first low muttering Of storm
is heard, Plato's warm brown eyes,
which have perhaps just then caressed
into peaceful and affectionate express
sion, dnrken and contract, the wrinkles
on his face deepen, his long, slim tail
suddenly becomes crow-bar, and jerk
ing away from me and throwing up his
head, his mouth opens. and the long,
moaning, bell-like note peculiar to his
race echoes through the clearing. If
he happens to be in the house, it makes
no difference his voice can not be sup
pressed. The only relief is to get him
out MS soon rs possible. He is, presuma-
bly,, inspired with the vision of some
grisly terror from the moment he hears
the thunder coming This thing has ap-
parently become the nightmare of his
| existence.
Having uttered his premonitory howl,
Plato's next proceeding is to dash off
toward the coming storm us far ~ the
boundary line of the premises. Here he
stations himself, and pours out his soul
i'll long dismal, defiant notes. facing the
storm. As each fresh peal is heard, his
excitement increases, until he runs at his
utmost speed, tearing from side to side
along the line, throwing his head sky
ward rs he runs, and pouring out great
volleys of sound against the advancing
foe. During these exercises, Plato (who
is i'll all else very obedient dog is equal
~ regardless of entreaties and threats, or
only that the family and the premises
must be protected, and that he alone is
responsible.
As the storm progresses and crosses
the line of battle, n scene ensues gener-
ally designated and known as "Plato' S
circus" 1t is evidently clear to him that
his enemies are upon him and coming in
all directions. He turns this way and
that to repel and pursue them. The
dogs ambition is apparently to catch
always the last thunderbolt before it has
time to leave the clearing In this mad
pursuit he charges around the house and
across the premises in all directions in a
bowling frenzy of excitement. AS the
delugc comes down, Plato may be dimly
seen through the sheets of water fitting
past, drawing himself out into blue
line in his efforts to increase his speed
sufficiently to overtake that last thunder
bolt. AS the bolts come thicker and
faster, Plato's howl is sometimes broken
short off, ending with squeak rs he
twists himself to sharp angle, leaving
the old and turning to pursue the new
arrival. In the midst of such terrors
his voice also becomes ''choky," and
seems almost articulate in its expression,
this effect being due doubtless to his
feelings and to the fact that his mouth is
likely to be partly filled with rain
water.
Frequently it becomes evident that
Plato Is, in his own opinion, getting the
worst of it. The contest upon his part
degenerates into almost a squabble. The
strange, invisible powers of the air press
heavily upon the dogs imagination.
There is tradition that when very young
he was sometimes driven under the barn
with dropping tail and scared wits by IN
Unusually sharp clap of thunder. But
in later years, although at times almost
pulverized by fear, he has never retreat.
ed. He not only maintains his ground,
but makes point of always pursuing
the last believing monster until its voice
dies away behind the hills.
When all is over, the poor dog comes
into the house whimpering and whining
like sick child, begging for sympathy,
and evidently under the impression that
he has warded of Il dreadful calamity.
1t is now past the middle of the dog.
days. Plato has become worn and hag-
gard. Thunder-storms are frequent.
He no sooner subdues one than another
more hideous and awful is discovered
stealing insidiously upon him from be-
hind the horizon. Like all his race,
however, he is very enduring and it is
the general impression that he will be
able to continue, as Ill previous years,
with forces unabated, to the close Of the
Summer campaign.
One of Plato's peculiarities is that
his intelligence resides chiefly in his
nose. He refuses to accept the testi-
mony of his eyes unsupported by his
more trustworthy nasal organ. He has
even failed to recognize his master at
sight; and usually on meeting any of the
family away from home he circles around
to the leeward and takes sniff before
making his approaches.
Plato is at his best when hunting
the foxes which abound in the neigh
borhood. He never hunts them alone,
but always in company with his cousin
Hero, who belongs upon an adjoining
farm. The exploits of the two dogs arc
noteworthy. The pair, when allowed to
go at large. are well-mated vagabonds
Ii not prevented, they would do nothing
but hunt foxes all the year round, -ex
cept, of course, at such times as Plato il
engaged in his thunderstorm business
To prevent an extensive waste of dog
power, Hero is, as rule, kept chained al
home. Plato, however, is ut liberty tC
visit him at any time and cheer him with
"reminiscences or with the hope of goot
time coming. The good time always
comes in the Autumn. When the Sum
mer heats are over and the golden brown
of October appears, it is proper and de.
corous to chase the foxes. On fine frosty
morning Hero is unclaimed and permit
ted his freedom. 1t is joyful momen
indeed to the two friends. There is al
immense wagging of tails, and mani
/ festation of hilarity that seems little on
/ of place i'll dogs of so grave and solemn
: a character as these hounds are.
Within fifteen minutes after Hero ii
, liberated, the two friends start upol
their first hunt of the season. They gen
orally go first to piece of woods at thu
east of the house and about half mile
A distant. Usually within half nm houl
3 the first wild yelp announcing fresl
, track is heard. A few minutes later, tn,
+ fox, closely followed by Plato, is seei
: crossing long level which is just beyont
the road in front of the hnuae TIL,
! foxes, having had rest from the dog
: since the previous Autumn or Winter
e are not very shy. Last Autumn the frs
r fox started in this manner seemed almos
. to have been caught mapping, for Plat,
g was close upon his heels. AS they wer,
seen crossing the wide, open stretch o
o. | Ilour IL oil kl,ai L.,