Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-10-26
A STRANGE.
OCCURRENCE.

Many years ago n party of five
young men had been out practicing in
our new shell. At that time they were
considered to be one of the finest am
ateur boat clubs of New Jersey. They
finished their regular three-mile pull
and brought up safely alongside the
stage. AS we did so small water
spaniel came running down to meet
us.
There, l have let out that / was one
of the party, but no matter now.
Fido, or Fid as we called the dog
for short, was most intelligent ami
NAL. Charles White, who owned him,
had taken great pains to give him n
good education. 1t really did seem as
If the dog understood plainly every
word that we said.
On the particular day alluded to Fid
seemed more htan usually glad to greet
the return of his master; he acted, too,
in a somewhat strange manner, al
though In the confusion and hustle of
getting the shell safely housed we paid
little heed to 1t.
After we had locked up the boat
house and donned our thick peajackets
to prevent catching cold, Charley sug-
gested that we go home through the
woods.
1t was early in the fall, and the trees
were already beginning to assume
their gorgeously tinted leaves. The
suggestion met with general approval
from the party. Two of our oars had
been badly sprung in our afternoon
pull, and, taking those with us for re-
pairs, we started on.
Blamed If Fid doesn't act mighty
queer" remarked Charley, when we
had proceeded but a short distance.
Hes run across some game in the
woods, you may depend upon it,"
Let me say here that the dog had
been left behind when we started from
the village. 1t was Charley's belief
that he had sought us out by way Of
the woods, as he had often done be-
fore. The open road was considerably
the longest way, and Fid often resort
ed to the short cut through the woods.
"Give him his way, Charley" sug-
gested Frank Fields.
II was just thinking Of doing So"
was the reply.
Now, Fid," he added, addressing
the dog, ''let us see what you have
been making such a fuss about"
AS 1 have said, we were well ac-
quainted with the dogs sagacity,
therefore we were not greatly sur
prised when the dog with sharp
bark, started off on a run. Good run
ners as we considered ourselves, we
were soon left behind.
The sharp, quick banks at intervals
served to guide us. At length this
changed to long, prolonged howl, so
sad and mournful that we involuntari-
ly paused and gazed at each other in
dread
Something unusual has happend.
boys" exclaimed Charley, quickly.
Forward
In few minutes more we had
reached an open space in the woods.
The sight there revealed was enough
to shake the nerves of the strongest.
Stretched upon the ground, with a
CHASTITY wound in the top Of his head,
lay old DIR. Garland-a man dearly
loved by nearly every one around.
Fid sat by his head, cycling him sad
ly, and at intervals uttering that
mournful howl.
For a moment we stood paralyzed
with horror at the sight. Charley
White was noted for his extraordinary
GOODNESS in exciting moments.
1t was his voice that suddenly arous-
ed us to action.
This has been cowardly murder,
boys" said he, In a hard, metallic
voice. "The murderer, whoever he is,
cannot be far away"
Turning to the dog, with an earnest
ness we had never before seen in him.
he shid, pointing toward the CHASTITY
sight:
Sid, go find the manv'
The dog snuffed around impatiently
for few moments, then uttering O
fierce growl, started off with his nose
to the ground.
ell follow the dog.'' exclaimed
Charley, hurriedly. 1.-THE rest of you
make litter and carry the body to
the village with all speed. 1t may be
there Is still a spark of life remain
ing"
With these words he disappeared
and the rest of us proceeded to fulfil
our sad duty.
With slow and cautious steps we
proceeded with our burden. We had
just arrived ut the edge Of the woods
when Frank Fields suddenly exclaim
ed:
"There goes chap sneaking of, and
I'll bet he's the man. I'm going t.
catch him, boys" The man, 1t was ev