Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-07-31
GARRY, THE COLLIE.

and used to take the letters from small
town to village lying 10 mile out ev'
cry morning. Aye, sir I've done tidy
bit of walking in my time if it was all
reckoned up. Thirty-fve years a post,
man at 20 miles day.
'You have indeed, replied, ''and
I should think you must have met with
many adventures during your long, lone
" walks in service which has extended
over SO many years. F"
''Only one adventure or mishap, per
haps I should say" the old man replied
''and if it had not been for very dear
friend, long since dead, these old eyes
of mine would never have seen this day.
Martha!'' he shouted, at the same time
knocking with the stick on the stone
flags of the little cottage porch where
we were seated.
The summons was answered by a
young woman who came from the
kitchen, wiping her wet hands on a
coarse brown apron.
''What do you want, father?" she
asked pleasantly.
''Just fetch Garry likeness, my lass,
and have care with it. I wouldn' t
have it broken for the world"
Martha went away, but soon returned
with small photograph Oh glass and
placed it carefully in the old mans hand.
"That, sir, is the picture of the dear
friend who saved my life,' he said,
passing it to me.
was not little surprised to find
that the dear friend was large black
and tan collie dog. My curiosity being
aroused, begged the old man to tell
me the story, and here it is:
"When had been about 20 years in
the postal SERVICE began the old man
in his quavering voice, "a farmer one
day made me present of a colley pup
of pure breed. I named him Garry.
As he grew up taught him almost ev-
erything dog could learn. He got SO
that he could just understand what was
said as well as any Christian.
''When he was old enough, took
him with me on my journeys, and very
soon he got so used to it that he really
seemed to think it was as much his duty
as mine, and when I let him carry the
satchel there was no prouder dog in all
England.
81 had to be up very early in the
mornings, get my letters as soon as they
were sorted, and be at my destination
by $50, where delivered them to the
postmaster in the village, who kept a
grocer's shop and postoffice combined.
1t was pleasant enough in the sum-
mer months, but during the winter it
was a cold, dreary dangerous,
too, in the dark mornings to any one
not used to the path, as one part of it
ran along the edge Of deserted stone
quarry, over which the unwary traveller
might easily step if he missed the beat
en- track.
''But as Garry and knew every foot
Of the way, I never felt the least mis-
giving, no matter how dark the morn
ing, except when there had been a
heavy fall of snow, and then trusted
to the dog, who would walk on ahead.
By following his footsteps found that
/ never lost the path.
Zone dark December morning, the
snow lying thick upon the ground and
a cold north wind blowing, started on
my usual journey in company with my
faithful friend.
Though muffled up in greatcoat and
comforter, the wind seemed to pierce
through ali my clothing, and the hair
about my face was soon stiff with ice,
"'We shall have rough time Of it,
old fellow, I said to Garry, whose only
answer was short bark and a roll in
the snow. Then. shaking his coat, he
settled down to his business as guide,
going a few steps in advance of me.
1.-THE exertion Of tramping through
the snow soon set the blood tingling
through my veins, and on went, feel
ing as warm and comfortable as circum-
stances would allow.
"After all hours hard walking, we
came to the old quarry, Garry, as usual,
taking the lead.
f'The snow was almost knee deep
here, making it hard work for me, and
harder still for poor Garry.
''But we plodded OF, and at last came
sc the stump Of an old tree, by which !
knew that we were past the dangerous
part of e;sr journey.
"The slloW Was not nearly so deep as
ave got farther Oh. which made it much
better walking bit before we had done
another mile large fakes began to fall
thick and fast.
knowing the danger of being caught
in snowstorm III that neighborhoo1,
4 Increased my pace and pushed on with
ali possible speed.
In descending a steep incline lost
nly footing and fell heavily, with my
right leg twisted under ms,
Garry was by my side IN ap instant,
and I tried to rise, but there was some-
thing the matter with my leg, and fell
back sick and faint with pain. I tried
again and again, but every time made
the attempt suffered dreadful torture.
Plainly the limb was bEokeui What was
I to do?
II was lying there perfectly helpless,
and snowstorm was coming on.
"There was little chance Of anybody
passing that way unless 1 was missed
and a search made. Rut I might die be-
fore then.
"The postmaster at the village to
which was bound would think the road
was blocked and that I had not at
tempted the journey if did not turn
up at the usual time, and, on the other
hand, my wife would think I had goi
safely to my destination and was wait
ing there until could make the return
journey in safety. What should do?
Looking helplessly round for some
thing that might suggest means Of de
1iverance, my eyes met those of my
faithful dog, who sat in the snow, look
ing into my face and whining piteously
Suddenly it occurred to me that if
could send the dog on to the village hi
might bring help. But he had never ye
gone alone, and I was afraid that h
would not leave me.
$50 it appeared, for, in spite of coax
ing and threats, he steadily refused Il
bulge from my side.
ssAc n Loot ,.oco,1rco T fook off m,