Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-02
SAVED BILLS LIFE TWICE.
Sam Johnson's MastiR Dave Not Afraid OF
Cold Water.

Sam Johnsons M.stin Dave Not Afraid OF
Cold Water.
From the New Yorh Sun.
Every day when Bill Burdgs trudges down
from his little shanty in Navesink Highlands,
N. J., to the Shrewsbury river to dig some clans
he stops at the East View Annex Hotel and
whistles. In answer to his whistle . magnif-
cent mastiff dashes out to rub him with extrav-
agant signs Of Welcome. "Clams, Dave" says
Bill, and the pair walk down to the river, few
rods from the hotel where Bill churns up his
CLAIMS while Dave sits on the shore and watches,
occasionally taking few winks Of Sleep
Dave is the property Of Sam johnson, who
runs the Annex Hotel; but the best affection of
his canine heart is given to Bill Burdse. the
broken-down veteran Of the war who does odd
jobs in the summer time and digs CLAIMS in the
winter for q living. Dawes love for Bill is only
equaled by Bills love for Dave and the two are
well nigh inseparable. The friendship has ex-
listed for years. but it has been closer and
warmer since last October, when Dave saved
Bill from being killed by two vicious bulldogs.
The Sun told then how the veteran, walking
down town one Sunday, was attacked by Sam
Johnson's Sighting bulldogs; how he Was pulled
down and torn by the savage brutes, who had
almost killed him when he shouted to Dave for
help, and how the great msstiff, hearing him
from his place in the hotel came to the rescue
fought off the bulldogs and saved his friends
life. The owner Of the bulldogs, who also owns
Dave, took care Of Bill until his wounds were
healed and he was able to wander about again
with the mastiff for a companion. The scars on
Burdge's head were not healed when, on last
Friday, Dave again saved his life.
After all the other clam digger stopped work
on account Of the thinness of the ice on the
Shrewsbury river Bill kept on. 1t was his only
way OF making a living. he said; and, any way.
he guessed the ice would hold out So disre-
garding the warnings of the other men. he went
out on Friday on the ice and cut a hole Dave,
of course, going with him. As he was chopping
at the hole there was n cracking sound. and a
long SILVER ran along the surface OF the ice
Dave didn't like it. He snised ard whined,
and finally, catching Bill by the coat, tried to
pull him back to the shore. Bill SAYS there is
no doubt about this.
"Shut up. Dave" he said. "This is all right
II you don't like it go ashore. Go on now and
lie down"
The mastiff, after a few banks of remon-
| STRANGE. trotted to the beach and law down.
Bill chopped his hole through and began churn-
ing up the clans with his rake. He had lifted
! out few dozen when suddenly there was a
rending, crashing sound of the ice. Bill re-
members giving yell and hearing an answer
ing howl from Dave. who rushed out over the
trembling surface. The next instant the man
a
ice struck him on the head. rendering him
powerless to help himself. although be retained
enough consciousness to remember the points
of this story. Dave. he said, was coming toward
him in great bounds.
Help, Dave Come in, boy" cried Bill
from among the floating ice.
The dog leaped in. He reached his friend
and seized him by the collar. The ice had
broken away for yards around ard il was
desperately hasd fight for the mastif. power
full as he is. to get back with his burden to the
solid edge. But he made it and the last thing
Bill was conscious of was that Dave. after two
Intellectual efforts to lift him up on the ice had
dropped him. ~
for good.
About this time Frank Brady happened to
look out OF the Annex Hotel door. which faces
the river. The first thing that met his view
was Dave crawling out of hole in the ice.
That's fool trick remarked Brady to
| himself. "Must be Dawes off his base. Wonder
what he wants with swimming this time o:
year.
Then he saw Dave. after getting firm foot.
ing on the solid edge, bend down his head
brace his feet and pull. Then there came into
the range of Mr.. Brady's vision the limp form
of Bill Burdge. Dave deposited Bill on the ice
| (Alr. Brady is now the sponsor for the story,
licked his face, shifted at him wonderingly al
he received no return to his caresses. and ther
seiZEiS tue AHauiulate DN tne again
dragged it toward the beach. About this time
Mr.. Brady was doing a 100-yard dash ovel
! the ice.
drop it, Dave" he ordered as he reached
the pair, and, half dragging, half carrying
Durdge, he got him into the hotel. Davt
t trotted alongside with dropping ears and .
sadly inquiring expression he gazed into hi
friends white face. Then he sat down upoi
| the floor OF the hotel and whined 4 few hot con
coctions and some smart rubbing admins
tered by Mr.. Brady soon brought the uncon
scious man to himself again, little The wors'
for his cold bath except for slight bruise OF
| his head where the ice struck him. When b,
regained consciousness his first thought was fo
the dog
where's Dave? Did Dave get me out?' h
asked feebly.
The mastiff, hearing his friends voice
bounded over to him with wild banks of ioy
| Burdge threw his arms around the dogs neck
His voice, Mr.. Brady says, was unsteady b
spoke.
THAT'S twice. Dave. old boy" he said
twice, and it was life an death both times"