Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-01

Continued.
Tie noble-hearted Quaker could
see no sign of life in the limp form
before him, not flutter about her
heart, nor the fsintest pulse, and
yet he gathered her up in his great,
strong arms and carried her to his
home, just quarter Of a mile sway,
and after applying all the restora-
tives within his knowledge to no
purpose, he was turning away with
sigh of disappointment when lis
slick eye caught sight OF a touching
muscle, which drew her paw trifle
toward him and he again renewed
his efforts to restore and this time
was successful. In few days she
was able to look her gratitude and
follow her benefactor about his farm.
Each day developed new qualities
to him that endeared her so much
that no price would have been &C.
cepted, though a fabulous one offer
ed, to part with her. just year
from the day that the Quaker got
possession of her he sat down to
rest at twilight beneath large will
low, that shaded a spring near his
home, and fell asleep. This faithful
friend kept vigil watch till she too
closed her eyes and seemed also
asleep, but the slight waving OF the
grass heads, stirred by the evening
breeze touched her long, silky ears
and she wakened with keen senses
all alert. She started to her feet-a
peculiar odor caught Eer sensitive
nostrils and she shifted and shifted.
She had scented danger not an in
slant too soon either, for there, not
six feet from her beloved master and
cooled ready to spring, was a deadly
copperhead snake. A low bred cur
would have sneaked away, leaving
his benefactor to perish, unwarned,
unaided, with his ears down and his
tail between his legs. Would you
believe it, just such ours live in hui
man form, and have not you felt the
sickening loathing for them Per-
haps you had been deceived by an
outward semblance Of manhood and
womanhood, and had in peril, saved
in trouble and misfortune, aided and
relieved, and gave sympathy and
love, and chung to them through ev-
cry i'll, and when the tables were
turned and you needed one word of
sympathy and one hand to help you,
saw the mask drop and your friend
walk away. Did you open your
hands to clutch all that sort, and
have desire to squeeze out the soul
of the little body? Yes, of course
you did, but a thousand of them
caught in trap could be blown in a
mosquitoes eye and it would not
wink, SO infinitesmially small are
they. But this dog had noble ma
ture, she cared not for danger and
was ready to sacrifice her life for her
friend. To draw the snakes atten-
ton from her master, she gave sew
eral sharp banks that reused him,
and turned the snakes attack upon
herself. Then began the battle for
life, which lasted several minutes,
and ended in triumph for the dog,
when she grasped the snake close to
the head, and gave it such vigor-
Gus shake that It's head was nearly
severed from its body. The Quaker
reused in time to see the finish up
of the duel, and when he realized
that his little friend had really saw
ed his life, he lavished upon her
such fond attention and affection,
such deep, devoted love, that she
was ready to lose her wits with joy.
Her life you might envy for her mas
ter is rich man, and her every
want is supplied and free from care.
She lives but to love, obey and watch
over her one true friend.