The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-03-30
SAVED BY
HIS DOG.
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Last summer, while on trip
through the White Hills, it CHANGED
one night that, sitting out on the
veranda of the modest little hotel that
nestled at the foot of high noun
tain, the conversation turned upon
dogs, and the sagacity they had been
known to exhibit ON very many oc-
casions.
Among the little group we formed
there was an old man, whose home
was in the valley some half mile
away. For some time he had taken
no part in the conversation, but had
pulled away at his pipe with appar-
ent enjoyment.
At length there came a pause in
the conversation, and after it had
continued for a minute of more, the
old gentleman removed the pipe from
hts lips and gave utterance to the
following remarks:
There isn't critter living that
Knows so much as dog. Leastways,
l had one once that knew nigh about
Il
seen good many people in my day
who hadn't the common sense he
had"
IT don't doubt that you are right,
said I. Dogs know great deal,
and I've seen some people who knew
very little. They are about as good
friends as we have among the brute
creation. There is no creature who
will stick by man like them"
IT know that" he answered. "The
one speak of did as much by me
as a man could. He saved my life
"How was that?" l asked; and in
response he told the following story:
cit was in the summer, several
years ago." he began. 1T was in
that year, you know, that the great
slides took place among the White
Mountains, by which the Wiley fam
lily were destroyed. The morning on
which it happened left my home,
which was down yonder, in the exact
spot where l live now, to get to the
settlements at Conway. In those days
there was no store nearer than there
at which we could get the things we
needed in the house.
81 was young man then, and had
a wife and two small children. We
lived in stout cabin. about half
mile from my fathers, and the only
brute things that l owned were a
cow and my dog, Nero. 1t was sell
dom when l went away that l al
lowed Nero to go with me. The
wild beasts were pretty plenty in
those days, and l wanted him to stay
and keep them away from the cabin.
I was afraid they might venture too
close sometime. and carry away my
children, who might be playing about
the door. But / had little fears of
This so long as Nero was there to
guard them.
when l set out that morning he
wanted to follow me badly, and
had to speak twice to him before he
would remain behind. Sitting on the
doorstep, he watched me until | en-
tered the woods and was concealed
from his sight. Much as he wanted
to go. had no fears OF mis- follow
ing. He knew too much for that He
always seemed TO understand almost
as we'll as human being.
II went on foot, and all the way
down to Conway could not help
looking at the sky. It seemed as
though l had never seen 1t threaten
rain so before. The clouds came so
low that they covered the mountain
tops, and appeared ready to sink down
into the very valley itself
81 got to Conway a little before
noon, and hurried to get through with
my business as soon as ] could. l
knew that a fearful storm was close
at hand and unless l hurried up 7
should catch a wetting. Before was
through the rain came down in tor
rents. The people at the store tried
to prevent me from going home. but
It was no use. Somehow or other
never felt so worried in my life. My
mind was made up that l would go
home to Mary and the children II II
was possible for me to get there.
81 never saw It rain go before or
since as 1t did that sf.ornoon. In