The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-04-09
he told us to call him) an hold on to his
finger like he was his nurse.

Now, to be sure, sir, three days don't
seem much in life, an you'll may be
think it foolish the store we set by both
man an dog before that time was
passed. Ralph would lay down beside
the baby's cradle, an nothin' would
move him till his master left the room;
then he'd get up an shake himself, as
II it was time to go, an he was goin'.
"Mollie said he was human; an if
ever soul gets into an animals body
hear there's folks as thinks so-there
was good soul inside of Ralph.
eyes, we all liked Ralph, an Robert
even more. The fact is he was a real
gentleman, that was plain enough;
brought down as low as he was-by
Lord only knows what. But true
gentleman, an know the right kind
when see them. He never let on for
one moment, though, single word
about himself but once, an that was
the last eyenin' he was here.
1.-The dog was sittin' beside him, with
his head restin' on Roberts knee, when
says, kind of sudden like:
"I bet Ralph's very vallyble dog,
Robert
"'Yes, yes he says, sort of slow. TOO
vallyble,' stroking Ralph's head with
lovin' hand, while the dog looked at
him with just as much love. Twas the
humanest eyes you would ever see, sir.
"By George, sir! you wouldn't believe
it, dare say, but I'd take my affydavy
that dog looked up, sort of sad like, and
shook his head.
ITO make the story short-though, all
told, it was not so very long-when we
came downstairs the next morning
Ralph lay on the floor, guardin' his mas
ters stick, but his master wasn't no.
where round.
''Tell me the dog didn't know! He
knew as well as we did why twas done;
that the master he loved, an who loved
him, had left him; but he had been told
to watch the stick, an with the saddest
eyes, an droopin' he lay there all day
long. All truly believe if we hadn't
got the stick away from him an burned
it he'd "a been watchin' it yet.
can his master?' Yes, sir; gone,
clean gone. An we've never heard a
word of him since. 'Ungrateful?' No,
sir; don't take it so. / think he could
not trust himself with the dog he loved,
when he was himself, you see, an so he
left him where he knew he'd be we'll
taken care of. Yes, that's the way
see it, anyhow. An then he got SO far
away before the dog would quit watch
in that the scent was lost for poor
Ralph. But he amt never give up! Not
a day, sir
"'Do?' Well, there's not tramp
comes past here-an' the worse-lookin'
they are the wilder he is to get after
them, snifFin' at their tracks; and
then his tail will droop so disappointed
like; yet he'll keep on an follow 'em
for day, or may be three days, till he
gets sure he amt comm to his master,
when he'll come back. Seems to me as
if he kind of thought they might know
him. How does he find out they don't?'
Bless you, sir, don't ask me, but dogs
know heap more than people think.
HE ought "a been named Rover, for
he's been in more different places round
here than l have, an always turns up
all right when he's settled the matter.
"Whyt amt that him now, sniffin'
along the other road? Course it is.
Well now, how'd he get over there, I
wonder; seems as if he was scentin'
somethin', don't it?
eli, Ralph! Ralph! Ralph! All! there
he comes a-boundin' along toward us
just as he used to go for his master.
Looks as if he thought he could find
him, sure. See now! Amt he beauty?
'Here, Ralph! Good old fellow! Come
here, sir! Eth! What! Straight for
you, sir, he goes, without look for me.
All over you in a minute! A fine gen.
tleman like you! What! You! You!
Sir Robert! Great Scott! An Ralph
knew you! Well, we'll, give in. Dogs
is human."-M. Warren Hale, in Bel
ford's.