The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-12-12
Brave Old Tige.

1t happened good many years ago,
said grandfather to Harry and me, as
we sat around the fireplace one De-
cember evening, that father bought
piece of timber several miles from our
house, and he had some men there
cutting it. One day he wanted me to
go and carry message to them.
Twas never afraid to go anywhere
with Tige, our dog. He was a big,
strong fellow, and SO bravel So we
set off, happy as could be, both Of us.
The sun was shining when we start
ed, but the sky began to cloud over.
I didn't think anything about it,
though; hardly noticed it, till had
delivered my message, and turned
around to go back. Then the "boss"
said to me:
II don't know, little chap, but you'd
better stay here. I guess there's a
heavy snow-storm coming, and you've
got quite piece to CO."
ooh, amt afraid !" said, standing
up straight.
I didn't like to be called little
chap" and [ meant to show them that
I felt big enough to take care of my
self.
well, you'd better walk along lively
then, or you will be showed under be-
fore you get home," the man said,
rightly laughing at me for the airs [
had put on.
walked off, as coolly as could be,
to show them [ wasn't afraid But
before I had gone far the fakes began
to come down closer together.
Tige acted as if he knew what was
coming, and trotted On at lively rate,
looking back now and then and whining
for me to keep up.
[ hurried on now, as fast as [ could,
and all the while the snow was coming
down thicker and the wind was rising
higher. Itseemed to blow right through
my overcoat and muffier, and the fine
fakes stung as they came against my
cheek.
By-and-by / began to grow tired.
The wind was blowing straight against
me, the snow was binding me so [
could not see, and all the while Tige
was running on ahead SO fast that I
feared [ should lose sight of him. But
he did not propose to leave me. Every
little while he stopped and whined for
me to come up.
At last [ grew so tired that [ could
only stumble on, and then Tige came
back and walked at my side, or just in
front of me, as if anxious to help me.
And was thinking if [ should stop
and rest a few moments I would be
all right. But when I tried it Tige
caught hold of my coat and pulled me
along.
Then I grew so sleepy I could hardly
keep on my feet. I did not feel the cold
now, and was ready to lie down in the
snow and go to sleep. Twice [ tried it,
but each time Tige pulled me up and
barked so loud that he woke me, and I
stumbled on.
At last we came to fence, and [
had not strength enough left to climb
over it. [ just rolled down in the
snow, and Tige could not get me to
move. [ did not know what happened
next, but / was told afterward. The
fence where l had stopped was only
about mile away from home, and
Tige at once ran there as fast as he
could go.
NY people were looking out anxious
ly for me, and father was talking of
starting to meet me when they saw the
dog coming. They opened the door,
and the minute he saw them he began
to bark and whine, and started back.
They knew at once what ne meant,
and hurrying on their coats my father
and brothers followed him as fast as
they could.
was sound asleep when they found
me, almost covered with snow Tige
began to paw off the snow and lick me,
they said, and barked furiously as they
came up, and while they were carrying
me home kept jumping up against me
as if anxious to see me wake up.
The first thing I saw, when [ did
open my eyes, was Tige's head thrust
in between my father and mother, who
were rubbing me on one side, while
my brother rubbed on the other
eyes, old fellow, you saved him.
It's all on your account that he is
here, mother said, hugging his great
shaggy neck, after had told them
how he had dragged me along against
my will.
You may be sure that nothing was
too good for Tige after that. He was
cared for as kindly as if he had been
one of the family-which he was, to
our way of thinking -and we kept |
I,,o H. <5;oI ~ o11 600