The Indianapolis journal., 1883-11-03
A True Story of Florence Nightingale.

When the celebrated philanthropist,
Florence Nightingale was a little girl living
in Derbyshire England, everybody was
struck with her thOughtfulness for people
the shy squirrels. When persons were ill
she would help nurse them, saving nice
things from her own meals for them.
There lived near the village an old shep-
herd named Roger, who had faVorite sheep
Gog called Cap. This dog was the old mans
only companion, and helped in looking after
the flock Dy day and keep him company at
night Cap was very sensible dog, and
kept the sheep in such order that he saved
his master a deal of trouble.
One day Florence was riding ont with a
friend, and saw the shepherd giving the sheep
their night feed; but Cap was not there, and
the sheep knew it, for they were scam pering
about in all directions. Florence and her
friend stopped to ask Roger why he was SO
sad. and what had become of his dog.
10" he replied, Cap will never be of any
more use to me- I'll have to hang him, poor
fellow, as soon as l go home tonight
Hang him. said Florence. 20 Roger!
how wicked of you. What has old Cap
done?"
He has done nothing" replied Roger.
"but he will never be of any more use to me,
and 1 cannot afford to keep him. One of the
mischievous school boys threw a stone at him
Yesterday and broke one OF his legs" And
the old shepherd wiped away the tears that
filled his eyes. Poor Cap" he said, ''he was
as knowing as human being"
But are you sure his leg is 5roken"' asked
Florence.
80 yes miss it is broken, sure enough; he
has not put his foot to the ground since"
I'VE will go and see poor Cap" said the
gentleman. II don't believe the leg is really
broken. 1t would take a big stone and
hard blow to break the leg of a great dog
like Cap"
20 If could but cure him, how glad Roger
would be!' exclaimed Florence.
When they got in the cottage the poor dog
lay there on the bare brick floor. his hair dis
hevelled. and his syes sparkling with anger
at the intruders. But when the little girl
called him poor Cap'' he grew pacifed,
he crept from under the table and lay
down at her feet She took hold of his paws,
patted his head and talked to him while the
gentleman examined his injured leg. 1t was
badly swollen, and hurt him verv much to
have it examined; but the dog knew it was
meant kindly and though he moaned and
WINGED with pain, he licked the hands that
were hurting him.
ITS only bad bruise; no bones broken"
said the gentleman; "rest is all Cap needs; he
will soon be well again."
II am so glad!" exclaimed Florence "But
can we do nothing for him? He seems in
such pain"
"Plenty OF hot water to foment the part
would both ease and help to cure him."
We'll then" said the little girl, II will
foment Caps leg"
Florence lighted the fire, tore up an old
flannel petticoat into strips, which she wrung
out in hot water and laid on the poor dogs
bruise. 1t was not long before he began to
feel the benefit of the applications, and TO
show his gratitude in looks and wagging his
tail. On their way home they met the shep-
herd coming slowly along with piece OF
rope in his hand.
80, RogerV' cried Florence "you are not
10 hang poor old Cap. We have found that
his leg is not broken, after ALL"
mo, he will serve you yet" said the gen.
sleman.
We'll, I am most glad to hear it." said the
old man, 'and many thanks to you for going
10 see him."
The next morning Florence was up early
to bathe Cap. On visiting the dog she found
the swelling much gone down. She bathed
il again, and Cap was as grateful as before.
Two or three days later, when Florence
and her friend were riding together they