Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-10

Pedro, who sprang between the bird an
cat lust In time to save the former
Iife At the same time ne gave .out
yelp. which was heard all over the mouse
and the family rushed into the rO''i
lust In time to see the cat retreat u
escape A vicious snap from PEDRO Jaw
The canary was but little injured, ahe
as IL was restored 10 ITS cige fenf'
looked on, wagging hts tail. and express
Ing every sign OF appreciation u MS act
Yet In a few days he and the cat Were
again on the best Of terms.
The big st. Bernard developer Man,
peculIar habits as he grew older. bu
none more striking than was shown In al
attachment conceived last summer f.ariS
in Nav a friend OF the Jhofspsons SEM
,hem n chameleon from Florida. j; was
n beautiful little animal, about sever
inches long exclusive Of Its tail. which
was AS much longer. II was OF blush
ash color. and at once began TO thrive
I'm this northern climate. the weather be
ing OF a genial warmth almost equal t.
that OF Its native cline.
The chameleon would cit for hours or
the window-sil apparently dead as ths
sill II was sitting on, except for the
occasional lightning-like lasnes Of rs
long tongue to absorb some insect that
had approached too close for It's owl
safety.
Pedro appeared 10 take great deal
of interest in the stranger. He would
stand by the window where the chameleon
lay. and watch IL for an hour at a time
once or twice n put his cold nose against
its body. only to jump back as the chame-
leon would make a hasty furry TO escape
But Pedro's intentions were OF the Dest
and as the summer grew on the chame'
leon appeared to understand that what II
had taken for RIGHTEOUSNESS was only GU
riosity. and IL manifested its frleniliness
in its own way.
During the hot summer days II was nc
unusual sight TO see Pedro lying near the
wndoS, with the sun shining on ms
shaggy coat, and the chameleon scam
perlng over his hairy body. And durlnS
these little journeys over the body OF It's
big friends the chameleon's searching
tongue would be kept busy Fly after fly
would disappear down its voraciou'
throat, and the dog would pant away
with perfect enjoyment and apparent un-
Outstanding of the trouble OF which ms
little friend would rid him.
When cold weather set in the chameleon
grew more sluggish. and early in october
died. For days after Pedro would walk
10 the familiar window-siil and POKE
his nose over it's surface. then turn
around and look inquirlnely at the mem
bers OF the family. lie kept this search
up the greater part OF the winter, ana
IL was early in the spring before he app
peared TO understand that the chameleon
was gone.
SAVED THE POCKET BOOK.
Saturday night. about three weeks ago,
Mr.. Thompson made arrangements TO
take the II o'clock train for 81. Paul.
Pedro was in the house early in the eve
ming before Mr.. Thompson left. The dog
was frequently allowed TO accompany
his master TO the city, and evidently
thought he would be allowed TO go on
this occasion.
When Mr.. Thompson started out Pedro
followed him into the hall. and when
the door was opened. darted out Mr..
Thompson started down the walk. and AT
first did not notice that Pedro was fol-
lowing him. He was several blocks from
his home when the patter OF the dog )
feet attracted his attention
You'll have to go home. Pedro said
Mr.. Thompson, turning around. IN go
ing too far to take you with me Tonight.
Go back home. there's good dog.
Ordinarily an order of this kind would
be obeyed at once. but, TO Mr.. Thom3-
sons surprise, the deg did not move.
PEDRO, go home at once. cried Mr..
Thompson. in harsher tone.
after a moments pause the dog turned
around and skunk away in the direction
of home. Mr.. Thompson continued on his
way to the railroad station, but had
gone only a few blocks further when he
heard basrk behind him. Looking
around he saw Pedro but short dis
lance away. In reply to his commands
to go home the dog would only bark.
Mr.. Thompson proceeded on his way a
few feet when the dog began 10 bark
again. and, turning a second time, MI.
Thompson saw that he was still standing
in the same place.
As Mr.. Thompson turned around the
dog began TO howl in a strange manner
but IL was getting late and nearly tram
time, and Mr. Thompson decided TO run
chances of the dogs following him, ana
hurried down town. He turned around
several times. but observed that the dog
was standing on the same spot appdr-
emily from which his first bark had at
tracted Mr.. Thompsons attention.
The next morning, when Mr.. Thompson
woke tip I'm 81. Paul and took an inven-
tory he noticed the loss Of package
of valuable papers which he bad In his
pocket when he started from Duluth. y
search through his clothing and satchel
revealed nothing. Nothing had been
found on the train. and that was ali That
Mr.. Thompson could learn.
But about O'Clock that same morning
J.. II. Mardner neighbor of Mr. Thomp-
sons. was walking TO the city. wnen,
about five blocks from his home. he saw
two men apparently worrying a dog. They
struck at the dog with a stick several
times and the dog would leap at them
and then return To his old stand. The
men appeared to be afraid TO take de-
termined measures.
by jove! that looks like Thompson's