Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-05-09
NO. 10.

a time something Of his human expression
and acquires that Of his dumb companions.
and that a dog under the same crcum-
stances retains his individuality. Here
was a man who, 10 Judge from his manner
and speech, must have been tenderly reared
and highly educated, and one too who had
practiced the busy calling Of the law vet
in few years of isolation the bright mind
had become faded, aud the human look of
the face changed almost 10 the blank ex
preston Of a sheep, while a dog under the
same circumstances had retained his per
feet individuality. Jacks eyes sparkled
like diamonds. His character was marked
by intelligence, faithfulness and affection.
He would lie with his head between his
paws, and his sharp nose fiat on the ground,
turning up the whites of his eyes to watch
us as we talked. Now and again he would
heave a deep sigh of satisfaction, as much
as to say, The old man is all right to-
night he's got some one that can talk TO
him"
questioned the shepherd about his past
life. IL seemed he had been educated at
Eton then became a fast youth in London,
where he studied for the law, and in "a
short time rose 10 be a successful barrister.
He had married early, and had one child "A
daughter, born to him. After two years of
welded life he lost his wife and child.
Despairingly he took TO drink, and being
weak and desperate, went down hill and
lost his position that once lost in London
is seldom regained. Not 50 in America
Here, when a man falls, if he has the
strength to brace up again he goes to the
West, and rubbing up against new socie-
ty absorbs fresh magnetism and recuper-
ates at once but London is compact the
Englshman hates to leave his home his
failings are known, and if he remains thev
are flung in his face There is no escape
for him and, as his friends shun him, he
falls deeper into disgrace. This was the
trouble that had beset the shepherd, who.
having a sensitive and perhaps weak mind,
succumbed to the pressure that surrounded
him. And so after a time, with broken
spirit, he left England and came to the col
onies. He practiced law in Melbourne for
some time successfully but the old habit
came back upon him, and, as he could not
resist temptation, he buried himself on this
station. This was the tale he told me, and
there could be no doubt of its truth. After
he had finished he turned his strange, far
off look on me again, and said Are you
superstitious y
: LYell, l think l am little. Most peo.
'.~-' would own it, " said l. 81
pie are, IT they id with sigh; "but
didn't use to be, " he sa. n to become so,
since I've lived here | seen -nt
and it's all Jacks fault" The dog. "a. ,
! looking up, beat his tail on the ground
gently, as if to say, Yes, blame it all on
me it's all my fault"
81 have never seen anything ghostly or
mysterious myself, but | think Jack does
sometimes. When we're alone-and God
knows that's often enough--hell start up
aud look around slowly as if his eyes were
following something in the hut at these
times he will give a low, strange kind Of
moan and, putting his tail between his legs,
seem to be frightened, peering up into my
face with an inquiring stare as il he said,
Don't you see IL, too fh The dog during
this recital kept slowly beating time with
his tail, as if he were indorsing every word
his master said after noticing this with
the dog, said the shepherd, Il called to
mind the strange look | used to see in the
beautiful face of my baby when she was
only six months old. The little thing would
sometimes stare at vacancy, and then smile
sweetly and turn its head around as if it
were following something just as that dog
does. What's your opinion of this sort of
thing Do you think the spirits of those
we loved in life can return and stand be-
side us ~
told him that his question was diff
cult one to answer that different people
held different opinions on these mysterious
matters, and the chances were that nobody
had hit it quite right yet. well, " said he,
IF they can come, know who it is that
the dog sees when we're Alone
It was now getting late, and the shep-
herd insisted on my taking his couch, an
old canvas cot with a plain gray blanket
spread upon it ; so, as | was quite tired, |
accepted the offer, and lay down for a
nights rest. My companion stretched his
tall figure on the grass outside. The dry
climate of Australia admits of this there
is no danger in sleeping on the ground
the chances are there would not be drop
Of dew during the night, and that the grass
in the morning would be as dry as hay.
Jack lay down between us, and seemed, by
one or two satisfactory sighs that escaped
him, TO be quite happy.
Twas awake for some time, and happen
ing to look towards my new acquaintance,
found that he was lying upon his back with
the moon shining full upon his pale face. l
had heard that it was dangerous in this eli
mate to sleep in the moonlight. People had
been known to go mad, or to have been
struck with paralysis, for committing this
indiscretiOn | called TO him to move into
the shadow, but he did not heed me so,
thinking he had dozed off, l let him alone
The strangeness of the scene, together
with the strong tea, seemed to Danish sleep
from me, and | must have been there an
hour with my eyes closed, but quite awake,
when presently heard something stirring,
and, opening my eyes, saw the shepherd
sitting up in the doorway with his head
resting in his hands After a time he
arose and went out into the night air He
seemed uneasy, and began restlessly to
pace up and down in front of the hut The
dog remained still, but l felt that he was
awake and watching his master, as he
walked nervously backward and forward
in the moonlight. Presently the shepherd
stopped in front of the hut, and came,
with a hesitating and irresolute step, to-
ward the door. He entered slowly, and,
STOPPING down upon his hands and knees,
crawled stealthily to the chair on which my
coat was hanging; he put his hand in the
breast pocket and drew forth the flask of
LIQUOR And now he seemed bewildered,
as if some strange emotion had seized up.
on him, and then fell upon his knees as il
in prayer. Suddenly he seemed to rouse
himself, and, instead of drinking the liq-
uor, placed the flask untouched back in the
pocket of the coat then stretching him
self on the floor, with an apparent air of
comfort and satisfaction, went off to sleep
The whole proceeding so haunted me that
it was broad daylight before | closed my
eyes. When | awoke, the sun was high in
the heavens. Ii must have been midday.
My host had prepared breakfast some
bread freshly baked, tea, and salt beef. He
seemed quite calm, and had lost the nerv-
GUS, wearied look that was noticeable the
evening before After our meal he spoke
freely of the nights proceedings to me,
told him Ihad seen all that had taken place
81 thought perhaps it might be so, >" said
he. The old craving came upon me again,
so strong, too, but if ever | prayed for
strength it was then. Well, at that mo.
ment there was hand laid on my head a
calmness came over me that had not felt
for years and when | returned the flask
TO your pocket knew then, as know now,
that another drop of liquor will never pass
my lips and, as God is my Judge, | believe
it was the angel hand of my dead wife that
rested ON my feverish head. It's all over
now, thank Heaven, and | can leave this
lon ely place and return tot he world again
with safety
l started to ride for the home station
the shepherd walked some distance by the
side of my horse, and at last we shook
hands and parted. looked back after a
time, and in the distance saw his tall fig
ure against the sky, waving his old straw
hat to me, while the faithful dog by his
side was looking up into his face and wag-
ging that expressive tail.
Orderly Sergeant 10 recruit) "Why,
you keep your mouth as wide open as if
you were Columbus the first time he saw
New York -Fiiegende Biduer,
Teacher-How many can tell me some
thing about grass Well Johnny. what do