Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-29
My Bruce,

- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Nv
was born with more courage than
most women, i suppose, for, notwith-
standing my cottage was somewhat re.
tired and my life somewhat hermltlikc,
with Bruce as my only constant COM
panion. 1t never once occurred to me to
be afraid.
To be sure, employed n servant, who
came regularly every morning and left
punctually at Z o'clock every evening,
but this arrangement, OF course, neccssi-
tated my being alone during the night.
Nevertheless liked the arrangement
My great. tawny brute friend was, used
laughingly to assert, equal to score of
men in faithfulness, intelligence and
courage and more than equal TO n host
of women, 80, far MS agreeable compan-
ionship was concerned. And now let
Bruce's deeds become his magnifier.
1t was bleak, autumn night. Betty
had gone, and !, after luxuriating over
a book till long past bedtime, finally cx-
changed 1t for season of quiet medita-
tion before the open fire. This last occu-
patton ended in nap, though of what
length l cannot declare. ! only know I
was suddenly aroused by sound which,
slight as II was. startled me to my feet
and the full possession of my senses.
With keen sense of something wrong
! glanced round. The lamp had burned
low. and by the faint. wovering light |
discerned Bruce motionless as statue
before the French window opening on
the lawn. His tawny coat was bristling
with impatient wrath and his eyes, fierct
and watchful, were fixed steadily on the
glass.
In spite of my cool blood began to
feel alarmed and involuntarily whisper
ed softly:
Bruce! Brucep
He smoothed his rough coat and turn
ed a quick, intelligent glance upon me,
with an acknowledging wag of his tail,
and then in an instant resumed his for
mer attitude and savage appearance.
Dropping on my knees beside him, l
breathlessly listened and soon heard the
sound of stealthy footsteps on the porch
without. Rallying my wits, | sprang
lightly and quickly to my feet and has
tened to the kitchen, intending to un-
fasten the door and give Bruce the
chance to seize the intruder unexpected.
ly and thus to his serious disadvantage.
But on reaching the door paused, ex-
claiming in q frightened whisper:
"Another! And he is picking the
lockv'
Waiting only long enough to assure
myself that the bolts were securely fas-
tened, hurried back to the sitting ROOM
Quickly selling Bruce by the collar, |
drew him from his post, whispering In
vehement tones:
Hist. Bruce, hist!"
Comprehending In an instant that l
had constituted myself his leader, the
Intelligent creature eagerly followed me
to the kitchen. There he showed n dis
position to halt, but at word he sprang
after me us / opened the door leading to
the cellar and descended the stairs.
Fearful that be might betray us by
bounding over some unseen obstacle,
placed my hand on his collar and care
fully and silently groped my way to the
cellar door. 1t was only minutes work
to unfasten 1t and throw it softly up and
back. j did II, at the same time seizing
Bruce, who, crowding close upon my
heels. came near slipping the leash
prematurely.
Restraining him as well as could,
crept softly round the house until we
were within few feet of the man busted
with the kitchen lock. Absorbed in his
nefarious task, he turned neither to the
right nor left, and, with a low, sharp
"Seize himW in Bruce's ear, loosed my
hold.
Swift and silent as an arrow from the
bow he shot forward, and the next in
stant his teeth were fastened on the
throat of his unsuspecting victim, and
his huge form rose uppermost as they
tumbled over together.
Impelled by fear that he might in
his savage wrath destroy the poor
wretch, 1 sprang forward. But only q
step.
In the moments excitement / had
quite forgotten the villain lurking on the
far porch, and here he stood within
pace of me, his pistol leveled full at my
faithful ally!
With loud cry of terror, threw up
my hand and sent the weapon whirling
over his shoulder, harmless report ring
ing sharply on the still night air. He
turned on me, fearful oath giving em-
phasis to the cruel hand with which he
seized my hair and shook me.
"l'll teach you he hissed as cried
out under his grasp.
But the sentence WINS never finished.
The next instant he relaxed his hold to
combat more formidable adversary.
Reused to a perfect frenzy by the
sound Of my cries and the sight of the
villains hand upon me. Bruce had left
his maimed and half unconscious foe to
fly with redoubled fury at my assailant
The struggle was short aud fierce, but
the brute proved more than match for
the man. and, with his ready teeth and
savage growls to assist me, l succeeded
In placing the wretch under bonds as
strong as those with which had already
secured his crippled companion.
Poor Bruce left the battlefield with
several bad flesh wounds, but he limped
after me into the kitchen, wagging his
tail as industriously as If he had never
felt the cruel knife blade and very evi.
IDENTIFY with full sense of the inesti.
mable service he had rendered me and his
own consequent Importance.
Dear old Bruce! l dressed his wounds.
kissed him aud then fed him regally on
sirloin steak, which latter attention, l
am compelled to admit. was obviously
the most acceptable.
A. o..