The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-05-07

soon became acquainted with
him and he was very useful in run
ming errands. Our nearest trading
point was small village just across
the river. and as it was very inconven-
lent for me to fetch the mail daily,
soon trained Sam to perform that Office.
[ had small tin box made, fitted with
a water-tight cover; this 1 would fasten
securely upon his hurricane deck" and
ne always knew what that meant. I
would write an order to the P. M, place
it in the box, and Sam would start off
cheerily on his errand-no he did not
whistle, altho 1 sometimes think he
might easily have been taught that
doubtful accomplishment The P. M.
would deposit the mail in the box,
securely fasten the cover, and Sam
would at once begin his homeward
journey. So careful was he of his
charge, that he would swim all the way
with his back out of the water, for fear
of getting the letters wet and destroy
ing them.
One day Sam accompanied me on
turtle hunting expedition. His charac-
teristic intelligence was still with hin,
for he soon became aware of the object
of my search, and no English setter
could have been more acute on the
scent OF prairie hen, than was Sam in
the hunt for eggs. He would chase
about on the sand and when he found
"nest" would Immediately proceed to
uncover the eggs. After we had Sc
cured quite large number of the eggs,
Sam came to halt and again began to
dig up the sand; he soon came to the
eggs, paused moment and then DELHI
erately covered them up. I thought
his actions very strange, so made an
investigation. The eggs appeared to
be all right, but upon breaking one I
found that it was several days old and
therefore not quite fresh. Sam intui-
lively knew this and therefore did not
wish to disturb them.
But Sans greatest exploit remains
to be told. One day went out to the
pasture to get cow. had long rope
with me, with which purposed to lead
the animal home. While was walking
quietly along, the earth suddenly gave
way beneath my feet and 1 was pre-
cipitated into an old we'll. As fell, 1
pitched forward and as I grasped at
empty air for support, the rope left my
hands and fell on the ground some dis
lance from the opening. The we'll was
about twenty feet deep and had about
five feet of water in it. was not
much injured by the fall, but was in
rather a precarious predicament as I
might become chilled and drown ere l
was found and relieved from my un-
pleasant situation. I shouted for help
until I was hoarse; but no help came.
1 bad been imprisoned for some time
when I heard slight rustling sound
at the top of the opening. Looking up
ward, I could see one end of the rope I
had carried, slip over the edge of the
ground above, and slowly descend; in
the course of half an hour it was with
in reach. Cautiously 1 seized it and
pulled ever so lightly; it seemed secure,
so gave it harder pull and finally
rested my whole weight upon it. Then
slowly and laboriously 1 climbed to the
surface. When I had reached safety,
I was so exhausted that it was some
time before I could investigate the
J manner of my rescue. 1 felt certain
: that to Sam l owed my release, and
such proved to be the case. The faith
, full creature had uncoiled the rope, aud
after taking four or five turns about a
small tree near by, had slowly lowered
, the other end into the we'll. It was
, we'll for me that he had taken no more
, turns about the tree, for had the rope
been six inches shorter 1 could not
) have reached it; but suppose Sam
: knew what he was doing.
/ I could relate many more incidents
> regarding Sans wisdom and intelli
gence, all of them as true as the forego
! ing, but modesty intervenes; besides
) fully realize that some people, having
: more regard for turtles as stew, thar
Q for turtles as turtles, will be disposed
;, to treat the above as pure fiction; but
4 if you don't believe me just ask Sam.
, G. B. M.