Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-09-11
WHAT DID THE Dog See?

~
true subject of imposture, for
as much as in the first place their
strangeness lends TO them credit, and
moreover, 10y not being subjected to our
ordinary discourse they deprive us OF
the means to question and dispute
them" The incident l am about to re
late is strictly true in all save that |
| have appropriated fictitious name for
the parties involved in the narrative.
|. In the summer of 1867 | was journey
ing leisurely through western Ohio a
| horseback, when, late one afternoon, |
| discovered my horse had suddenly be
come lame in one of his forelegs. Dis
mounting, | made an examination,
with the purpose of discovering the
precise location of the injury, but, fail
| Ing In this, | flung the reins over my
arm, and led my poor beast toward a
farmhouse which was near at hand. |
found the owner, Abel Shelly, seated on
the porch, smoking his pipe, with his
wife sitting by engaged in knitting. In
Producing myself and explaining my
situation, inquired if he could accom-
modate me with a resting place until
| could resume my journey. He acqui-
esced at once, assuring me that l was
perfectly welcome, and, presenting me
to his wife, laid down his pipe and be-
gan to examine the feet of my horse.
81 can see nothing at present" he re-
marked, that indicates the seat of the
injury, but I'll put him in the barn, and
If he does not improve by tomorrow
we'll determine what is to be done
Leading the animal away, he shortly
returned to the house. In the meantime
| had entered into conversation with
Mrs. Shelly, who was a very well-in-
formed person, but judged by the re
markable pallor of her face that she
was not in particularly good health.
Mr.. Shelly conducted me to room,
where, having deposited my saddle
bags, and taken n refreshing wash, |
returned to the porch, and was soon en-
gagged in an interesting conversation
about crops and the general topics of
the day. | discovered my host to be an
unusually bright and well-read farmer,
with a certain seriousness about him
that forbade anything like unseemly
familiarity, and which was sure to in
spire respect in considerable degree.
He was an Eastern man by birth, but
had been settled in the West for twenty
years. Beyond his wife he had no fam
lily, and it struck me as being some
what singular that | saw no hands
about the place save an old negro, who
was slowly performing some duty In
the cow-yard.
After a hearty supper and smoke
with a corncob pipe l went with Mr..
Shelly to the stable to take look at
my horse. In turning an angle of the
building he grasped me by the arm and
pulled me quickly aside. His action
startled me, but the next moment
l perceived his motive. Chained near
the path was one of the most immense
and Notwithstanding mastiffs | ever
beheld. A magnificent creature to look
upon, but terror to meet If one were
unprepared.
Ii,
companion, as the dog was in the act
of springing to his feet. The animal
resumed his crouching attitude, and
Mr.. Shelly went on to say: THAT dog
is invaluable to me as guard. He Is
absolutely fearless, and will shrink
from no danger, no matter how appal-
ling It may appear. But his ferocious
nature compels me to keep him chained
during the day. for | verify believe he
would kill stranger If he encountered
him in the place"
HE is certainly splendid creature"
remarked. looking back. 81 would like
to make friends with him, for | have
an innate fondness for dogs"
Mr.. Shelly shook his head.
Don't try it," he said. Il wouldn't
have you approach him under any con
sideratlon. That dog will throw an I'M
that he can't rise. An ordinary man
would stand but poor chance of get
ting away from him alive"
On our way from the stable we again
passed Captains kennel, and paused to
look at him. Mr. Shelly patted his
head, while the animal stretched the
length of his chain toward me, regard
ing me all the while with a look that
seemed to be anything but unfriendly
There seemed to be so honest a purpose
in the brute's eyes that | instinctively
put forth my hand and laid it ca
ressingly on his huge head when to
the amazement of his master the crea
ture actually licked my hand in token
of amity. I really laughed at the con-
sternation depicted on Mr.. Shelley's
countenance. q
"Well," he exclaimed, 'if | had not
witnessed tile thing never could have
believed It. Why, that animal is tiger
In disposition. and never believed him
capable, of friepaship for any but my
Wife apst self. Old Reuben, the negro
Is terrified when he comes in the vicin
ity of tliht dog. His demeanor toward
xo,, 10, .nrtninIxr vary c,1rnriSinO