The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-11-21
WHAT DID THE DOG See.

posture, forasmuch as in the first place
their strangeness lends to them credit,
and, moreover, by not being subjected
to our ordinary discourse they deprive
us of the means to question and dispute
them" The incident I am about to re-
late is true in all save that 1 have APP
propriated a fictitious name for the par
ties involved in the narrative.
In the summer of 1867 I was journey
ing leisurely through Western Ohio on
horseback, when, late one afternoon,
] discovered my horse had suddenly be-
come lame in one of his forelegs. Dis
mounting 1 made an examination with
the purpose of discovering the precise
location of the injury, but failing in
this, I flung the reins over my arm and
led my poor beast toward q farmhouse
that was near at land. L found the
owner, Abel Shelly, seated on the
porch, smoking his pipe, with his wife
sitting by engaged in knitting. Intro
ducing myself and explaining my situa-
ton, l inquired if he could accommo-
date me with a resting place until I
could resume my journey. He ac-
guessed at once, assuring me that I
was perfectly welcome, and, presenting
me to his wife, laid down his pipe and
began to examine the feet of my horse.
Il can see nothing at present." he re-
marked, chat indicates the seat of
the injury, but I'll put him in the barn,
and if he does not improve by to-mor-
row We'll determine what is to be
DONE"
Leading the animal away, he short
ly returned to the house. In the mean
time ! had entered into conversation
with Mrs. Shelly, who wa a very well
informed person, but I judged by the
remarkable pallor of her face that she
was not in particularly good health.
Mr.. Shelly conducted me to a room,
where, having deposited my saddle bags
and taken a refreshing wash, I returned
to the poarch and was soon engaged In
an interesting conversation about the
crops and the general topics of the day.
l discovered my host to be an unusu-
ally bright and well-read farmer, with
a certain seriousness about him that
forbid anything like unseemly IA
miliarity, and which was sure to inspire
respect to a considerable degree. He
was an Eastern man by birth, but had
been settled in the West 90 years. Be-
yond his wife he had no family, and it
struck me as being somewhat singular
that 1 saw no hands about the place
a v an old negro, who was slowly per-
forming some duty in the cow-yard.
After a hearty supper and a smoke
with q corn-cob pipe, I went with Mr..
Shelly to the stable to take q look at
my horse. In turning an angle of the
building he grasped mt blythe arm, and
pulled me quickly aside. His action
startled me for an instant, but the next
moment | perceived his motive. Chained
near the path was one of the most i'm
mense and ferocious looking mastiffs ]
ever beheld. A magnificent creature
to look upon, but a terror to meet if
one We're u%nprepared.
Down captain!" commanded my
companion, as the dog was in the act OF
springing to his feet. The animal re-
sumed his c%rouching attitude, and Mr..
Shelly went on to say: "That dog is
Invaluable to me as a guard. He is alb
solutely fearless, and will shrink. from
no danger, no matter how appalling it
may appear. But his ferocious nature
compels me to keep him chained during
the day, for ] verify believe he would
kill a stranger if he encountered him in
the place."
HE is certainly a splendid creature, .
| remarked, looking back. "I would
like to make friends with him, for
have an innate fondness for dogs"
Mr.. Shelly shook his head. Don't
try it," he said. ~ wouldn't have you
approach him under any consideration.
That dog will throw an unruly steer and
hold him so secure that he can't rise. An
ordinary man would stand but q poor
chance of getting away from him alive
On our way back from the stable we
again passed Captains kennel and
paused to look at him. Mr.. Shelly pat.
ted his head, while the animal stretched
the length of his chain toward me, re-
garding me- all the while with q look
that seemed to be anything but un'
friendly. There seemed to be so hon
est a purpose in the brute's eyes that ]
instinctively put forth my hand and
laid it caressingly on his huge head,
when, to the amazement of his master
the creature actually licked my hand in
token of amity. I really laughed Mt the
CONSERVATION depicted on Mr.. Shelly's
c~ountenance.
"Well."h he exclaimed, drawing a long
breath, eff I had not witnessed the
she thing, I never could have believed
him capable of friendship for any but
my wifeand self. Old Reuben. the ne,
gro, is terrified when he comes IN the
vicinity Of that deg. His demeanol
towards you. is certainly very surpris,
ing"
1t was the custom of Mr.. Shelly t.
loose Captain when they were abou'
closing the house and retiring and t.
chain him up early in the morning be
fore it was likely there would be an,
callers at the farm. The following
morning I arose very early, having
passed a restless night, and finding i
impossible to take a morning nap,
dressed and went down stairs, seating
myself on the porch. I had e%ntirel.
forgotten the fact that Captain wa
loose, and as / sat inhaling the fresl
air from the pines 1 was startled
to behold the dog standing b,
my side, gazing fixedly on my face
For q moment 1 was undecided how t,
act. Retreat was impossible-to shoy
fear might induce the brute to fix hi
fangs in my throat in an instant. / wa
afraid to speak, lest a strange voic
might alter his purpose if it was pacific
l therefore looked kindly at him AM
smiled. Maiestically striding up to m
he laid his broad head upon my knee
and | cautiously began to caress him
D,1rinu Flo onaration Mr. Shollr fort