Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-17
BOZ AND DON

rector's, The one, little yellow, shaggy,
short-legged terrier, was an imp of mis-
chief. The other, a full-bOoded New
foundland, was sedate, dignited, and well
bred Though in character so diverse in
friendship they were one, l have never
seen between men companionship more
close or an attachment more sincere than
that which existed between these four
footed friends.
Both had passed the years of puppy
hood before they met The acquaintance
began on the day the rector came to the
little village of M, to reside next door
to the doctor who lived in the shadow of
the elms of the village rectory. Up to
that hour, the reserved and handsome Don
had looked upon the smaller individuals of
his kind with the half-contemptuous half
pitying, and wholly careless feeling which
dignity so often experiences in the presence
of triviality. By what subtle law the OPP
posing natures of Don and Boz were rec
onciled let philosophers decide. From the .
first meeting of inQuiring muzzles friend |
ship was demonstrated by violent wag-
ging of tails and until death parted them, |
each was the sworn bondsman of the 9th |
er.
| shall never forget the scene of the in
PRODUCTION of Don by Boz into the doctors |
family circle-the rapture expressed by the |
marvellous contortions of the little yellow
body, the violent leaps. the short, sharp
banks with which he showed his delight
when his really noble companion was APP
proved with friendly pats by the elders
and fond embraces by the children 1t
was display of frantic Joy of which only
small dog is capable After that intro
duction, Don became, by virtue of his in
timacy with Boz, more truly an inmate of
the doctors house than of the rector's.
l am quite sure that the worthy rector
looked with displeasure on the intimacy of
the two dogs. Nor was it surprising that
he did. 4 childless man, to him the grave
and gentle Don-and let not this thought
be a reflection upon the good man-stood
in some sort in the place of that which
Heaven had denied to him. He had be-
slowed more care upon the animal than
many parent gives to his son. His care
full training had met its reward. The in
telligence of Don was such that it was nee
essary only to point out fault in a tone of
Ieproof to insure its future avoidance.
With him, actually TO hear was to obey,
and a dog of habits more in harmony with
the peace and virtuous quiet of a village
rectory than those of Don never existed
Was ii strange, then, that the man of God
should look with apprehension upon the
boon cOmpanionship of the subject of so
many pious labors with a little ragmuffin
of a terrier. whose reputation for peace
and sobrety was none too good in the
neighborhood? Alas, his fears had ample
grounds. Evil communications will cor
rupt the good manners OF dogs as well as
of men. Not that Boz was evil will not
let that reflection lie upon the memory of
the little loyal "heart of ak,-'but in his
dminutive body there was a restless and
ambitious spirit which led him into ad-
ventures not always to his credit and in
these not quite respectable demonstrations
of spirit Don came in time to share. TO the
grief of the good rector. Ii is best to
pass by these indiscreuOns Suffice it TO
say that no enemy of Boz, on four feet or
two, counting upon superior size TO gain
an advantage, was permitted by Don TO do
So Nor was the devoted Don particular
TO inquire with whom the right in the quar-
rel lay. Even the rector, in his regret
over Don's lapses from virtue, was com
PEELED to admit that there was a spirit of
chivalry in the Newfoundland which apol-
ogized for his conduct.
The companonship of the dogs would
have been unbroken had il not been for a
sense of duty which compelled Boz to ac-
company the doctor on his professional
rides into the country. l imagine, from
the sequel Of their long intimacy, that Boz
must have impressed upon Don the impoT-
lance of these rides, by way, perhaps,
of excuse for his occasional desertions.
Don used to watch his friends departure at
such times with an approving wave of his
bushy tail, but he never sought to 60 with
him.
1t was a tragedy which parted Boz and
Don. One night the former accompanied
a member of the doctors family TO the
railway station to meet late train. Gu
riosity, prOverbially fatal, especially to
cats, led the terrier on an exploring trip
under the cars. The little fellow was res
cued alive, but cruelty mangled-sO cruel
" that it became necessary TO end his ago
MES with bullet The children, who aad
loved him and whom he had loved, sorrow
fully placed his body in a box, and buried
it in a little court at the rear of their home,
A mound was heaped over the grave and a
stone placed at its head.
OF all this Don was ignorant. How he
became aware of what had happened new
er will be known. The next morning ht
was found lying by the small grave, his
handsome head resting upon his out
stretched paws Evidently he had found
the spot in the nighttime, All that day
he Law near the mound, refusing TO leave il
even under the influence of hunger. erie
was never more pathetically expressed
Let philosophy say what it will about the
difference between ''animal instinct anC
the operations of the human mind, ! new
er did and ! never will believe there is any
difference except one of degree. am con
WINGED that, during that melancholy vigil
Don recalled the virtues of his dead frienC
Just as men do under similar circumstances
! think he must have dwet upon the prid,
which the terrier took in accompanying
his master on his drives, and the sense o
importance which he attached to the duty
so that he himself formed the resolve TO dc
the one thing by which he could testif!
most clearly of the love he bore the dead
For when at last Don left the grave 0
Boz it was to take the place of his frienl
by the doctor carriage, and to go with tn,
master of Boz for the first time into tn
country. ThencefOrth, as long as the rec
tor remained in charge OF the parish DoI
religiously performed the duty Which 30
had laid down.
Once or twice the rector tried TO breal
up the practice but love was stronger thai
duty. AS a result of these attempts, Do
gave evidence for the first and only tim
of a spirit of deceit. Being one day in tn
doctors barn, ready to start upon jouI
ney, Don heard the rector's summonin