Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-05-06
THE STRANGERS Doc.


here" was my remark to the master
of a Wisconsin farm house, where
had stopped for a nights lodging and
been kindly welcomed as one of the
family group.
The reference was to an enormous
mastiff that lay at full length on the
floor. A two-year- old baby was toy.
ing with the huge ears, while the Older
children were tumbling promiscuous.
ly over the limp form.
Eyes" replied Mr.. Knowlton, "and
he is as noble as he looks. He de-
serv es all the kindness we can bestow
There is something pathetic in his
history"
saw that my entertainer was d
man of feeling and intelligence, and
that evidently the great yellow brute
could not have had a better master
Probably you have had him fol
some years." ] said.
"No" he replied; "only since last
winter. All previous to that time is
blank in poor Lions story-so far
as we are concerned. / sometimes
wonder what memories he may have
Of another home
"And is it possible, ! said, that
such big fellow ro~fe. IL sou by .Ao.
cident--a stray dog? Why, Lion
good old Lion, what a pity that you
cannot tell where you came from +
As | said this, patted his large
head and when he had pounded
the floor for minute or two with his
tail, he stood up and put his nose
across my lap.
"He knows friend at first sight,
said Mr.. Knowlton, and has already
got you down in his book. He is very
affectionate, and will suffer agonies
from our little tribe here without
complaining. But when he is reused,
let his enemy beware ! He is then a
lion indeed"
/ should think SO ! was my reply
why, Mr.. Knowlton. he must weigh
hundred and fifty pounds.
"A hundred and sixty four, said my
host; Il weighed him yesterday
I infer from what you say re-
marked, that you have seen his pow
ers put to test.
Yes answered Mr.. Knowlton, en-
phatically, II have ! It was at mo-
ment, too, when my own life depend
ed upon his strength and courage.
He saved me from certain death
DO tell me the story, sir, | said.
1t must be thrilling one.
"Well, you must know that until
last winter l entertained the opinion,
common to most people, that our Wes-
tern wolves are very little to be dreaded
by man. ! had never seen one oil
great size, and felt confident that a
Newfoundland dog, such / then
owned, would prove more than a match
for the fercelt wolf in the woods.
Zone bitter cold day in December,
| started for market village, three
miles from here. | went on foot, az
some bad snowdrifts prevented me
from using my horses. | was not
alone, however, for the dog went with
me. He was a Newfoundland, as /
have said--a large, black fellow, and
full Of pluck.
when we had gone about two
thirds Of the way, / observed a stir in
clump of snow covered bushes, and
in few moments big timber vol
showed his head and shoulders from
the cover.
Il saw at a glance that he was a
monster ofhi kind; but, besides hav
ing the dog with me, had my dOu.
bled barreled gun, and SO felt safe
enough. True, ! am DO marksman
but | felt better for having the gun
"Well, poor Tige, The Newfound.
land, made straight for Mr. Wolf, and
they clinched at the edge Of he thick
ct. It was such a fight as | hope
never to see again.