The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-10-23
WHAT DID THE DOG SEE 2
A Strange Adventure in Ohio Which the
Reader must Explain for Himself.


MONTAGUE observes "things unknown
are the principal and true subject OF
imposture, forasmuch as in the first place
their strangeness lends 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 relate is
strictly true in ali save that | have ap-
propriated fictitious name for the par.
ties involved in the narrative.
In the Summer of 1867 / 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 made an examination with
the purpose of discovering the precise
location of the injury, but, falling in
this, I flung the reins over my arm and
led nv poor beast towards the farmhouse
which was near ut bard. l found the
owner, Abel Shelly, seated on the porch
smoking his pipe, with his wife sitting
by engaged in knitting. Introducing
myself and explaining my situation, l
INQUIRED if be could accommodate me
with resting. place until could resume
my journey. He acquiesced at once,
assuring me that I was perfectly wei
come, and presenting me to his wife, laid
down his pipe and began to examine the
feet of my horse,
"I can see nothing at present." he re-
marked, "that indicates the seat of the
injury, but I'll put him in the barn, and
if he does not improve by tomorrow
we'll determine what is to be done"
Leading the animal away, he shortly
returned to the hoase. In the meantime
I had entered into conversation with
Mrs. Shelly, who was very we'll in.
formed person, but I judged by the re-
markabie 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
taking a refreshing wash, ] returned to
the porch and was soon engaged IN an
interesting conversation about crops and
the general topics Of the day. F! discov.
cred my host to be an unusually bright
aud well.read farmer, with certain
seriousness about him that forbade any.
thing like unseemly familiarity and
which was sure to inspire respect in q
considerable degree. He was an Eastern
man by birth, but had been settled in
the West for twenty years. Beyond his
wife he had no family, and it struck me
as being somewhat singular that l saw
no hands about the place save an old
negro, who was slowly performing some
duty in the cow.yard.
After a hearty supper and q smoke
with corncob pipe went with MIR.
Shelly to the stable to take look at my
horse. In turning an angle of the build.
ing be grasped me by the 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 immense
and ferocious-looking mastiffs l ever
beheld. A magnificent creature TO look
upon. but terror to meet if one were
"Down, Captain!" commanded my
companion, a. the dog was in the act OF
springing to his feet The animal re.
sumed his crouchipg attitude and Mr.
Shelly went on 10 say: "That dog is
invaluable to me as g guard. He is
absolutely 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 be would
kill stranger if he encountered him in
the place" :,
"He is certainly "a splendid creature"
I remarked, looking back. II would
like to make friends with him, for have
an innate fondness for dogs"
Mr.. Shelly shock his head, Don't
try it." he said. II wouldn't have you
approach him under any consideration;
That dog will throw an unruly steer and
hold him 30 securely that he can't rise.
An ordinary man would stand but
poor chance of getting away from him
alive"
On our way bacE; from the stable we
again passed Captains kennel and
paused to look at him. Nj. Shelly pat.
ted his head, while the animal stretched
the length of his chain toward me,
regarding me all the while with look
that seemed to be anything but unfriend-
ly. There seemed to be so honest q
purpose in the brute's eyes that l in.
stinctively 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 at the conster'
nation depicted on Mr.. Shelly's counte'
nance.
"Well," he exclaimed, drawing long
breath, eff had not witnessed the thing
I never could have believed it. Why
that animal is tiger in disposition and
never believed him capable of friend.
ship for any but my wife and self. Old
Reuben, the negro, is terrified when he
comes in the vicinity of that dog. His
demeanor towards you is certainly very
surprising"
It was the custom of Mr.. Shelly to
loose Captain when they were about
closing the house and retiring and to
chain aim up early in the morning, be-
fore it was likely there would be any
callers at the farm. The following morn.
ing arose very early, having passed q
restless night, and finding it impossible
to take morning nap dressed and
went down stairs, seating myself on the
porch. 1 had entirely forgotten the fact
that Captain was loose, and as | sat in
haling the fresh air from the pines / was
startled to behold the dog standing by
my side gazing fixedly on my face. For
q moment was undecided how TO act.
Retreat was impossible-to show fear
might induce the brute to fix his fangs
in my throat in al instant. I was afraid
to speak, lest strange voice mig ght alter
his purpose if it was pacific. l, there
fore, looked kindly at him and smiled;
Majestically striding up to me he laid
his broad head upon my knee and l eau
tiously began to caress him. During the
operation Mr. Shelly fortunately ap-
peared upon the scene. He gave quick
glance toward me, and calling the dog,
took hin. to his kennel and chained him.