The San Mateo item. (San Mateo City, Putnam County, Fla) 189?-19??, 1910-03-19

sudden movement OF the ice un-
der his feet, accompanied by a crack
ing noise. which portended danger.
Only for a moment was Robert
warned. Then the ice beneath him
gave way and he felt a cold sensation.
He had fallen into the water and was
floundering about like a frightened
fish when on dry land.
But the very instant that Robert
fell through the broken ice Rover
was on the pond and near to the
spot where his master was struggling.
and did not wait commands from the
excited and frightened boy. Watching
his opportunity, the old doggie brac-
ed himself for a pull and. stretching
forward his big head, grasped Rob
ert's coat and began to drag the wear
er out
It was no small task to get Robert
out OF the water for whenever he at
tempted to climb upon the ragged
edge OF ice his weight would cause
It TO break away, sometimes endan.
gering Rover's safety. But the dog
was wise and seemed on the watch
for Just such accidents, and would
move cautiously backward, dragging
his young master with him.
After much difficulty and strenu-
GUS work on Rover's part, and much
struggle and suffering from cold on
Roberts part, the former succeeded
in rescuing the latter from the pond,
and dragged him upon the bank
Here Robert dropped from exhaus-
ton and cold, unable to move. For
moment only did Rover look upon
his master. and, understanding his
condition. turned and ran up the
bank toward Roberts home as fast
as he could go. When he reached
the house he made his presence
known by scratching on the door for
admittance, and when Roberts moth.
er opened the door he caught her
dress in his mouth and began to pun
her toward the pond. %Come-Rob-
ert is freezing and exhausted" he
tried to say, and Roberts mother
knew at once that something dread
full had happened to her little SON.
Calling to the housemaid to fetch her
shawl, and to the hired man to ac-
company her, she followed the hurry
ing Rover. who, seeing that she un-
derstood him, let go of her dress
and ran ahead to show the way.
Within a few minutes Rover and
Roberts mother, accompanied by the
hired man, came TO the suffering lit
tie fellows relief The big hired
man took of his own heavy coat and
wrapped It about the boy; then took
him in his arms and quickly bore him
to the house. There, rubbed till his
young body was aglow with warmth
and blood, the now happy fellow was
put TO bed, where he lay slipping hot
tea And all the while old Rover
watched the process of caring for his
beloved master. hts eyes full OF graf.
itude to the dear mother who knew
so well how to prevent any serious
result to her little SON from the very.
unpleasant accident he had met with
In the pond.
"If It hadn't been for Rover. /
would have drowned. mamma said
Robert between sips OF hot tea. Il
tell you. he Is the dearest and brav-
est doggle in the world, and love
him as though he were human. You
should have seen how bravely he
struggled to get me out OF the pond,
often getting In danger himself. Once
thought sure he was going 70 lose
his hold on the ice and go under with
me- But he knew better than ] did.
and he kept cool head all the time"
And Rover. sitting beside the bed,
seemed 70 understand his dear Rob
ert's words, end bllnked his eyes
and wagged bis tail. as II to say,
Thank you, Robert. for your kind
words about me. only q poor dog