Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-03

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sacred spot, where the Whitworths -four
him after searching for him for hour
Later. he tried once more to reach h
Mecca. but his strength failed, and I
was tenderly picked lid IN the path an
carried back to Mr.. Whitworth's, wheI
he died.
But why revive the sad memories of tn
long past? God knows there are at a
times. for most of us, fresh sorrows
life, enough and to spare.
THE DEATH OF PRINCE.
Within the past few months. in on
little forest dell at Bon Air. we have lai
by the side of this devoted and splendi
couple, whose touching story i have re
lated q worthy comrade and successor
the last dog 1 have owned and loved. and
such is my dread OF these partings,
think / may say the last dog ] shall eve
own. though / shall ever love the race {
which my noble friends belonged Man.
| people in Richmond knew and loved dea
| old Prince" for OF him IL might b
SAID with as much truth as it was eve
said of any human being. ito know hin
was to love him."
In history, appearance, and character
he was strongly marked. Our first know
ledge Of him was that he jumped from
| a passing train at Bon Air and was
quite badly hurt. The stationmaster
MIR. Whitworth, always tender and kind
to everybody and everything in trouble
cared for him and he passed from his
hands to mine. He was then, / think,
scarcely grown, or. at least, he developed
greatly in size and weight and beauty
afterwards.
He was not thoroughbred, but appa-
n hnfrr H.. I
and mastiR. having the massive head
and broad muzzle of the latter variety,
but shorter legs, and he was black in
color, except narrow. white shirt
bosom under the throat and chest. his
hair being about as long as a New
foundland's, but finer and less kinky
His figure was particularly handsome
and powerful; indeed / think he was
the strongest dog OF his size ever saw.
and his eyes were unusually fine. full of
sympathy and feeling. have never seen
any other animal look into the face
and eyes Of man as steadily and affec-
tionately as Prince was in the habit OF
doing; indeed, he surpassed any and all
other animals have known in universal
sympathy and kindness, while he par
ticularly loved ladies and ch. dren, and,
like. the rest of us, haG bis special
1fsends-l, as his master being always
first in his affections.
DEVOTED TO HIS MASTER.
He never slept In the house at night.
but usually did not go out until re-
tired, and he generally came to my room
as soon as the house was opened In the
morning. Many a time. lying in bed,
with eyes just frayed a little, l have
watched his entrance. He would sit or
70 oil 49,
with intense inquiry, his handsome tail
gently waving mean while with sup
pressed excitement. II he concluded 1
was REILLY asleep, he would not wake
me, but / have known him to leap
bodily upon me In bed. when a smothered
laugh or sudden movement showed /
was awake and had been shamming-
then a little rough play, then his water
pan, and then a quiet snooZe on the |
rug while / dressed-save. when our
irrepressible feelings dubbed over into |
a little Handwriting, or caressing, or
loving converse.
Then breakfast. ours and his, family
prayers. and the start, which latter was
a most uproarous and disreputablc per-
ormance. From the time Prince saw
The going was really imminent be was
n the widest delirium of JOY barking
inal rush for the front door-gladly open
ID and held open-the entire household
'elng anxious to see US safely out
md then the delightful walk down
own together He was certainly
most charming companion for
walk, passing and repassing fire.
uently and never without some plea
ant sign Of happy recognition. talked
, him whenever he was within hearing
nd he always answered to the purpose
nd to my entire satisfaction. though not
! articulate words
1t is almost startling TO recall to what
xtent we came to understand each |
Their. Every now and then during his ,
re l was Weakened TO d realization OF
his by the surprise of some stranger who
appened 10 overhear my communlca-
ons to Prince, and to observe his COM
OF them and consequent ac-
on. For example, II / CHANGED to say,
Did man. l am sorry, but you can't go Z
18th me this morning; 1 am going 10
de down town." his mingled expression
disappointment and submission would <
? positively touching. Or IL. on the
rect, l remarked. prince, / am going
get on that car coming yonder; you
Id better go home; I'll be there soon"
5 comprehension would be as perfect
ID his action as appropriate as yours.
WAS A GOOD PROVIDER. e
lie would occasionally leave me on the
ny down to the office but would al
lys explain. at the corner OF Fifth b
d Franklin. that rations had been 4
ort at the house and he was com g
lied to go to market. He had a very A
arty appetite. and was a frst-class y
rovider' or "forager," as we now say q
.fs4
II. Every butcher we dealt with be- ID
me devoted to him. and was ever A
Idy TO honor his draft as every SER y
Mt we employed was his sworn friend a
l always saw that he had the best
: home bin OF fare afforded. .
)nce down town, he would either re- A
n at once Che loved to be In the y
Use with the ladies OF the family or A
accompany them on the street,. or.
he stayed. alternately dozed In the Of .
or went with me; but never A
ough the Capitol Square by daylight
understood the matter perfectly, and a
aid freely pass in the gates at night Z
ad of me, but would not even follow q
through by day, unless i command A
him 10 do so, and then would walk
'e 10 my heels. paying not the slight "A
attention TO the squirrels. who.s by <
way, did not seem to be- at all afraid q
him. a
Q enjoyed his life down town. In our
% and In the offices OF our friends g.
was general fayorite. and greatly -
shed she greetings OF his acquaint-
es there, at the banks. I'm the law z
airy. and in the clerks Offices. Every
everywhere was good TO him. ard
loved all good and honest people. In
word, while not as intellectual as
m nor as brilliant as Governor be