Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-01-02

And thus they found him, poor Prince
At last there was a race that promised
more excitement than any other, and Grace
was in 1t. 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 en-
thusasm 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
whirled 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 fash. There were
few quick, sharp, ominous cracks, horrible
crumbling crash. a sharp, awful cry of
fright and she went down.
The alarm spread and rescuers rushed to
the spot on the wings Of haste and horror
But the seconds were flying away, and 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 as soon as 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 neared
the scene of the accident they found the ice
broken over broad space, and the dog, wet
and shivering, holding the head and shout
ders of the unconscious girl out of tho water,
on the unbroken ice upon which bis own
light body rested His dripping hair was
freezing in the bitter breath of tho night,
and so were 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 or to her, moan
ing pitifulIy because he could do no more.
And thus they found him, poor Prince
Aye, prince indeed, worthy Of royal robes
and .oyal honorS
Scarcely less tenderly than the half dead
child was he cared for. One home was open
to him as to king. Yes, any home in the
place would have gladly received him 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..
Merton's handsome house. And how they
wept over him and tried to do something for
him. His life hitherto despised, had suddenly
become precious The value Of the heart 50
long hidden behind his mark of ugliness was
known at last
And be understood and was grateful. He
beat his tired tail upon his rug slowly and
painfully-for he was very weak-to express
bis appreciation of their kindness; and bis
faded old eyes lighted up with pleasure
He looked so lovingly toward the door OF
Grace's room that at last they moved him In
there and placed him where he could look at
her. 1t is doubtful il he had ever been 70
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
strain upon his already exhausted vitality
His soul-"only a dogs soul" but a noble
soul all the sane-parted company with it's
worn-out body in the morning Of the New
Year. As the child awoke he fell asleep-the
sleep Of death As be went out Of life he
left to his idol message more beautiful and
l precious than pen can translate. II was con
| veyed by a look, without sound or speech,
but it bore a burdsn Of love unutterable
and-shali not say ttl-everlasting