The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-02-19
BLOODHOUND ON A TRAIL.
Tiny Shoe Guides Him 20 the Watery
Grave of Lost Tot.

Grave of a Lost Tot.
In the state house CT correction at
Rutland, Vt, there is huge dog which
is just now a center of attraction. 1t is
Pilot, the Bloodhound, and so many peo-
pie go to see him every day that it has
been found necessary to set aside certain
hours for the purpose.
The cause for all this admiration is
the fact that Pilot has just proved to
everybody that he is really worth more,
in certain emergencies, than the entire
police department Of the town-though
in Rutland the police are few. Hereto
fore Pilot has been looked upon as sort
of nuisance, a worthless expense; but
never did greater change of sentiment
take place.
A year ago several prisoners escaped
from the house Of correction, and Pilot
was purchased by the state that he might
track and assist in bringing back any
one who in future broke Jail But no
body ran away and naturally there was
nothing for Linn to do
A few days ago, however, Bertha, the
pretty 4-year-old daughter of John @.
Putnam Of The little settlement of Mill
village disappeared. All the neighbors
Joined in The search fer her Might and
day the hunt WIS continued, but not
trace Of the little one could be discover
ed. The parents were in despair; it was
feared hat the child had been kid
naped. Fi9aliy the father, in dcspera-
ton, suggested that possibly Pilot could
find some trace. Anxious to do Gnything
that would in the least relieve the fa-
ther's mind, the officials took the dog to
Mill village.
The dog was then given a tiny shoe
that had been worn by the child the day
before she disappeared. This he held in
his mouth for minute: then he dropped
it and shifted the air He seemed puz-
zled, and the knowing ones were begin
ming to remark that they knew the
hound would not be Of any use. 1t really
seemed as if the animal understood their
words, for he suddenly put his nose to
the ground and was off like a shot,
dragging his keepers after him.
On he went, crossing roads, fields and
timber stretches, until he reached Dew
IFS camp, a point about mile below
Rutland, where there is a small mill
stream. Here the animal suddenly
brought up at the edge of the water,
gave one bark and refused to go farther.
Then the men got to work. They pro-
cured hooks and poles, and the bed of
the stream was thoroughly searched
All this time Pilot stood by the water
side, though attempts were made to
drag him away. Fer the first time since
ne had been in the stsle he refused to
obey the voice Of his keeper. Toward
night the body of the missing child was
found. As it was drawn to the shore
Pilot sprang forward, tCCk the sliny
lress in his mouth, raising the child as
enderly as though it had been in it's
arms, trotted back to the
house, the long line Of searcEcrs follow
ng.
When once the animal had placed the
'ody in the home of the unhappy par
nts, he walked to his keepers side and
vas taken back to Rutland.
But all the people of that region hon.
red the dog, and one of the chief
nourners at the funeral was Pilot, who
ad coach all to himself, his keeper
itting on the box with the driver.
Moody G. johnson suffered severe
ttack of lagrippe in BOstOnlast week,
nd came to his sisters home in this
illage last Saturday. He is greatly
nprOved and will return to his en-
loyment at HoughtOn & buttons in
few days.