Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-27

And thus they found him, poor Prince
At last there was a race that promised
more excitement than any other, and Grace
was in it. Faster and faster flew the flying
figures, farther and farther they sped from
the laughing company. Even the melan-
choly Prince was carried away by the
thusiasm of the moment He got up. shook
his ungainly old body into shape and fol
lowed them down the river at gait that,
for speed astonished his own legs.
Suddenly the tall boy who led in the race
whirlei round and shouted to the others TO
stop 1t was too late The next was Grace.
Before she could comprehend his signal she
had passed him like a flash. There We're
few quick, sharp Ominous cracks, a horrible
crumbling crash, a sharp, awful cry of
fright. and she went down.
The alarm spread and reScuerS rushed to
the spot on the wing, Of haste and horror.
But the seconds were flying away. and Il few,
oh, so few Of them could carry off the life OF
the child now under the ice.
One faithful friend, whom no one thought
OF, reached her almost soon she went
down That was Prince How he had done
IT none could tell for all were too terrified
to see: but when the human helpers nearei
the scene of the accident they found the ice
broken over broad space, and the dog, wet
and shivering, holding the head and shoul-
ders Of the unconscious girl ont of the water,
on the unhroken ice upon which his own
light body rested His dripping hair was
freezing in the bitter breath of the night,
and 50 We're the brown locks Of the child he
was trying to save With his teeth his
paws. and all the strength that remained in
his poor old frame he held on 10 her moan
ing pitifully because he could DO no more.
And thus they found him, poor Prince
Ave prince indeed, worthy of royal robes
and royal honors
Scarcely less tenderlv than the half dead
child was he cared for. One home was open
TO him as to a king. Yes any home in the
place would have gladly received hun then,
No CARPET was too fine for him TO walk
upon now; no couch too good for him.
Never in his hard life had he rested
on such a soft bed as WAS now his in DR.
Mertons handsome house And how they
wept over him and tried 10 do something for
him His life hitherto deSpised, had suddenly
become precious The value of the heart so
long hidden behind his mark of ugliness was
known at last.
And he understood and was grateful. He
beat his tired tail upon his rug slowly ami
painfully-fur he was very weak-to express
his apprecatlo, of their kindness: and his
faded old eyes lsated up with pleasure.
He looked 50 lovingly toward the door of
Grace's room that at last they moved him in
there and placed bin where he could look at
her. II is duubtf'd if he had ever been so
happy before, but it was not TO last
Grace had youth and health. and she re
covered from the shock and exposure IN a
few days But Prince was old and infirm
and the dreadful accident had been too severe
a strain upon his already exhausted vitality
His soul-"only a dogs SOUL but a noble
soul all the sams--parted company with its
worn-Out body i'll the morning Of the New
Year. As the child awoke he fell asleep-the
sleep Of death. A. he went out of life he
left 10 his idol message more beautiful aud
precious than pea can translate. IL was con
veyed by look without sound or >peech,
but it bore burden of love unutterable
and-shall | not say itf-everlastiug