The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1898-10-15
FAITHFUL FLUSH.

Few faithful pets have received SO
charming a tribute as Mrs. Browning
paid to her devoted little spaniel in
the vell-Enown poem, ITO Flush, my
Dog. 1t is pleasant, in her published
letters, to trace the career Of the much
loved and loving Flush, who was the
companion OF his mistress during all
the most important episodes Of her life
Given to Mrs. Browning when she wa
yet Miss Barrett by her friend Mis-
Milford, Flush became and long re-
manned the partner Of her secluded lif.
as an invalid confined to her room.
He was a beautiful little creature,
long-eared, silky-haired. large-eyed,
golden-brown in color with a white
breast, and full of intelligence and
spirit. Nevertheless ii was affection In
which he excelled-refusing, from the
first, any invitation to sport or exer-
else beyond the bounds Of the small,
half-darkened chamber, showing an
almost human sympathy with the suf-
ferer, and making tireless efforts in
all pretty doggish ways to divert OF
comfort her.
He slept with his head against heI
cheek at night, and in the daytime
when she was reading Greek, his long
ears dropped upon one page Of the big
folio while her eyes travelled down ths
other. When she was somewhat bet
ter, he would accompany her wheeled
chair, or leap into it.
Twice he was stolen-once in Italy
once in England-and there was great
turmoil and trouble until he was re-
covered. The first time his poor, frail
little mistress was sick with distress
until he was restored-by the payment
of six guineas and half to the thieves
who explained complacently that they
had been looking out for a chance te
steal him for two years; and that
moreover, they should steal him again
il they could, and that another time
they would not give him up under ten
guineas!
81 tell poor Flushie," she wrote
"(while he looks earnestly in my face)
that he and / shall be ruined at last
and shall have no more money to buy
him cakes; but the worst is the ankle.
ty! Whether / am particularly silly
or not / don't know; they say here that
am; but II seems to me impossible
for anybody who really cares for a dos
to think quietly Of his being in the
hands Of those infamous men; and
then know how Flushie must feel it.
"when he was brought home he be-
gan to cry in his manner-whine, az
II his heart was full It was Just what
/ was inclined to do myself, but we
are both recovered now, thank you.
and intend to be very prudent for the
future"
When Miss Barrett married Robert
Browning, Flush accompanied the po-
etc pair to Italy, and his happy mis-
tress-then greatly improved in health
wrote gaily that Robert spoiled him
quite as much as she did, while Flush
evidently considered Robert created for
his especial convenience, to open doors,
and would nearly bark his head on II
this task were not always promptly
performed.
Later, when the baby WIS born, Flush
was at first extremely jealous; but in
q year or two the tables were turned.
and 1t was the little boy who roared
with jealous wrath IL his mother took
Flush up instead of himself; while
Flush had learned to regard the child
with a kind of lofty liberation, very
amusing to behold.
Flush died, after long life. in Italy.
and was buried In the vaults Of Casa
Guidi, the dwelling made famous by
his mistress poem. and now bearing
tablet In her honor.
80 A.. ---.s.-s