The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-01-23
BRAVE OLD TIGE.

1t happened good many years ago,
said grandfather 10 Harry and me, as we
sat around the fireplace one December
evening, that father bought piece of
timber several mile from our house, and
he had some men there cutting it. One
day he wanted me to go and carry mes
sage to them.
was never afraid to go anywhere
with Tige, our dog. He was such big
strong fellow, and SO bravel So we set
off. happy as could be, both of us.
The sun was shining when we started,
but the sky began to cloud over.
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:
81 don't know, little chap, but you'd
better stay here. guess there's heavy
snow storm coming, and you've got
quite piece to go.
aOh, amt afraid" I said, standing
up straight.
didn't like to be called "little chap,
and meant to show them that I felt big
enough to take care of myself
well, you'd better walk along lively,
then, or you with pe 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
had gone far the flakes 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.
1t seemed to blow right through my over
coat and muff1er, 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 thai feared should
lose sight of him. But he did not propose
to leave me. Every little while Ae
stopped and whined for me 10 come up.
At last l grew SO tired ti,at 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 I was thinkin. if l should stop and
rest few moments Iwould be all right.
But when I tried it Tige caught hold OF
my coat and pulled me along.
Then I grew so sleepy could hardly
keep on my feet / did not feel the cold
now, and I 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 /
stumbled on.
at last we came to fence, and ] had
not strength enough left to climb over
it. l just rolled down in the snow, and
Tige could not get me to move did
not know what happened next, but I
was told afterward. The fence where
had stopped was only about mile away
from home, and Tige at once ran there
as fast as he could go.
My people were all looking out anx-
iously 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 he 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 ms wake up.
The first thing saw, when I did open
my eyes, was Tige's head thrust in be-
tween my father and mother, VINO were
rubbing me on one SIDE, while my
brother rubbed on the other
"Yes, 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
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 we kept him until he
died of old age.