Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-11
blcb came blsatlng and running to Join

which came bleatins and running 70 JOIN
the others.
The dog stood at the entrance OF the
| enclosure. but instead OF letting the iaino
pass, he sprang at its throat ana oore
| IL to the ground tapping eagerly tne
warm blood that flowed from the lace
rated wound. As soon as IL ceased us
struggles. he tore the flesh from It's bones
| and ate rsyenousy.
Father Gaspard was angry. ana snou,-
| ing to the dog. tried to drive MIN from
| the lamb, but Domingo growied' anu
would not obey.
Having finished his meal. he dragged
| the body away from the corral, ana pc
gan to dig a hole. When he consiaersu
| II deep enough. he pushed the iamo m
| but dragged 1t out again ana aug .ne
! hole little wider. In the lamp was huns
! again-out once more and turned aroun1.
| Then, apparently satisfied. ne pusneu
| in and covered IL up, showing the ear.h
| over n with his nose Then he went 10
the gate OF the corral. selected piacs
| TO rest. licked his paws. turned aTouna
| and around several times, lay oown' anu
| rolling himself UP, went 10 sleep.
Father Gaspard watched this wantoh-
ness on the part OF the dog with great
| distress: then, too weary to sit up longer,
he entered the hut, and on the shepheru
bed OF grasses slept the sleep OF iausue
! and innocence.
In the morning he was awakened by tne
| banks OF the dog and the tramp Oh 'hu
sheep as they were driven OUT 10 graz;
After eating the remains OF the beans ana
meal cake. he sat on the bench ana
wondered what was best TO do. Shouin
he remain there and guard the flock from
| the dog and await some ones coming. 10
send word to Don Manuel. or should ne
hasten himself TO the ranch and have
shepherd sent with other dogsE
! He felt a cold nose on his hand, and
| looking down saw Domingo wagging
cheerful good morning. Father Gaspsrd
| pushed him aside and said
| Away Domingo, thou art no more
| friend of mine. Thou art an unfaithtui
servant; even now thy jowls are red
with the blood OF that innocent lamb.
| No wonder thou disdained the frijoles
| offered thee for thy supper, thou hadst
something better in store. Thou shait De
! dealt with according to thy crime.
/ will tell Don Manuel OF thy treachery,
| and thou wilt be shot. an ignominious
death for shepherd dog. Or II thou
| shouldst escape. as l have no rope 10
| tie thee, thou wilt drag out a miserable
| life in the mountains, like the thievish
coyote, and like him, be hated and hunt
|
herd dog tastes the blood OF sheep he
is never more to be trusted. 1t is worse
| than the thirst OF man for wine"
| Domingo sat on his launches before
| the priest and listened 10 this TRADE, his
head on one side. his eyes fixed upon
| those Of hts denunciator. and his tongue
lolling out OF his mouth, except when
the priest paused, then he drew 1t In and
swallowed His sharp ears stood up and
pointed forward and back from the priest
to the sheep. Occasionally his eyes would
roll toward the flock, and the little brown
spots above them seemed also to move.
| Ever on the alert, he now dashed away
| to see IL they we're safe.
Father Gaspard grasped his STAFF and
! arose to go. hoping TO reach the ranch
and send a shepherd back before night
Suddenly. a thought struck him. and hi
sat down again.
What would have kept the dog from
starving since the shepherd died IL HI
had not eaten a lamb now and then. Yes
/ it had to be, for the good OF the fiocl
the dog must be fed. He killed the lamt
quietly. not alarming the rest"
Father Gaspard called him by name
and when ne came running up stroked hi!
head tenderly.
Domingo. milo. I was over hasty an,
have done thee injustice. Dost forgive
me for my blindness and harsh words
Yes, / see 10 malice in thy honest face
Thou needest no words 10 express IN,
forgivencss--lt is shown in thy clear
brown eyes and the vocabulary OF thl
tail and ears. | will tell the Don Of III,
faithfulness. and thou shalt be canonize'
among dogs. Thou art no longer young
] myself have know thee a number o
years. Thou shalt be relieved of tn
care and labor Of the field, and live at tn
ranch-house. whore the Don will give the
a place by the fire and Will stroke tn
head like this as he tells the story o
thy sagacity"
Light OF heart. now that his trust 4
the dog was restored, Father Gaspart
started once more on his way toward tn
Gabilan. At evening he reached the edg
OF the mountain. and, looking back
saw nothing but a sea Of fog. But ha
1t been clear he might have seen
shower Of dirt and grass flung high 1
the air. caused by Domingo IN the act o
reaurrecting the remains Of the lamb 10
his supper.