The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-03-24

Uall, rather large person, and the
cress was too small for him every way
Yet he laughed as heartily as anv o.
US, for he was very good-natured and
merry. 1t seems to me l can see him
now. as he walked about with panta
looms half way up to his knees, coat,
sleeves coming a little below the
elbows, and vest that wouldn't meet
at al, and told us queer Yankee stories,
and lung soogs, and jested and laugh
ed III the evening. But once, l re-
member, | saw him go out on to the
doorstep, where Hector was lying,
kneel down beside the faithful dog,
and actually hug him to his breast.
When not hunting with his master,
Hector wenT with Albert and me in ali
our ralubles, herrying or nuttiny. We
could hardly be seen without him, and
we loved him almost as we loved one
another.
One afternoon in early spring, we
had been into the woods for wild
| flowers. | remember that had my
apron filled with the sweet clay TONES,
and the gay trilliums, and the pretty
white flowers of the sanguiuaria, or
| "bloodroot," and hosts and handfuis
of the wild violets. yellow and blue
| My brother h q aiken off his cap and
| filled it with beautiful green moses,
all lit up with the bright red squaw-
berry. We had just entered the long,
shady lane which ran down to the
| house, and were talking and laughing
very merrily, when he saw a crowd of
men and boys running toward us and
shouting as they ran. Before them
was large brown bulldog, that as he
CANT near we saw was foaming at the
mouth. Then we heard that the men
were crying. 1t was ''mad dogr
My brother and Istopped and chung
to each other in great trouble. Hec-
tor stood before US and growled. The
dog was already so near that we saw
we could not escape; he came right at
us, with the dreadful frothy mouth
wide open. He was just upon US, when
Hector caught him by the throat, and
the two rolled ON the ground, biting
and struggling. But presently one of
the men came up and struck the mad
dog on the head with large club, SO
stunned him and finally killed him
But Hector, poor Hector, was badly
bitten in the neck and breast. and all
the men said he must die too, or he
would go mad. One of the neighbors
went home with us, and told my father
and elder brothers about ii. They
were greatly troubled, but promised
that tor the safety of the neighbor-
hool Hector should be shot in the
morning. l remember how, whine
they were talking, Hector lay on the
doorstep licking his wounds, every
now and.then looking around as if be
thought that there was some trouble
which he ought to understand.
l shall never, never forget how l
grieved that night! heard the clock
strike ten, eleven and twelve as / lay
awake weeping tor my dear playfel-
low and noble preserver, who was to
die in the morning. Hector was Sleep
ing in the next room, and once l got
up and stole out to see him as he lay
on the hearth-rug in the GEAR moon
light, resting unquietly, for his wounds
that my tears fell on his beautiful
head; but was careful not to wake
him, for l somehow felt guilty toward
him.
That night the weather changed,
aud the next morning came up chilly |
and windy, and no sunshine at alias |
though it would not have been a
GLOOMY day enough, anyhow. After
breakfast | remember we'll how |
little breakfast was eaten by any of |
us that morning Hector WAS led out |
into the yard and fastened to stake. |
He had never before in all his life been |
tied, and he now looked troubled and |
ashamed. But my mother spoke |
pleasantly to him and patted him land |
he held up his head and locke proud |
again. My mother was greatly griev-
ed that the poor fellow should have to |
die for defending her children, and |
when she turned from him and went |
into the house, saw she was in tears
SO l cried louuer than ever. One after |
another we all went up and took leave |
of our dear and faithful friend. My |
youngest brother clupg about him |
longest, crying and sobbing as though |
his Eeart would break. 1t seemed |
that we should never get the child |
away. My brother Rufus said that |
no one should shoot his dog but him
self, and while we children were bid
ding farewell he stood at liGtle dis
lance loading his rifle. But finally |
he also came up to take leave. He
laid his hand tenderly on Hector's
head, but did otspeak to him or look
into his eyes-those sad eyes, which
seemed to be asking what all this cry
ing meant. He then stepped quickly |
back to his place, and raised the rifle |
to his shoulder. Then poor Hector
to understand it all, and to
know that he must die, for he gave
loud, Iuournful cry, trembled all over,
and crouched toward the ground. My |
brother dropped the gun and leaned
upon it, pale and distressed. Then
Came the strapgest thing of all. Hector
seemed to have strength given him to
submit to his hard fate; he stood up
bravely again, but turned away his
head and closed his eyes. My brother
raised the rifle. ! covered my face |
with my hands. Then came loud,
sharp report. 1 looked around and |
say Hector stretched at full length,
with a great stream of blood spouUing
from his white breast, and reddening
all the grass about him. He was not
quite dead, and as we gathered around
him he looked up into our faces and
Doaned. The ball which pierced him
had cut the cord in two that bound
him to the stake, and he was free at
the las. MY brother, who had throwr
down his rifle, drew near also, but
dared not come too close, because he
said he feared the poor dog would
look reproachfully at him. But Hec.'
tor caught sight of his beloved master
and rousing all his strength, dragged
himself to his feet. Rufus bent over
hun and called him by name. Hector
looked up lovingly and forgivingiy
into his face, licked his hand, and
died. Then my brother, who had
kept firm, manly face all the while,
burst into tears
My brother William, who was al
ways master of ceremonies on such &C.
made neat coffin for Hector,
and laid him in it, very gently and
solemnly. flung in all the wild flow
ers which Albert and | had gathered
Oh the afternoon of our last walk with
our noble friend, and SO we buried
him. His grave was very near the
spot where he had SO bravely defended
US from the mad dog, b, the side of
the way, in the long, pleasant lane
where the elm trees grew.
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.
Too great a command of language
,ninai lines laSgnna q wOman'a |