Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1914-12-12
FAITHFUL DOCS
SEEKING MASTER
Bird Dogs Owned By P. Sidney
Smith, Recently Deceased,
Seek Him Everywhere


and writers have told in eloquent words
of the love and faithfulness Of the dog.
but of all the instances that have been
immortalized by pen and brush. none is
more eloquent. none il more pathetic.
or touching in its appeal. than a tragedy
which has recently come under our own
observation, and been enacted almost
under our own eyes
When the late =. Sidney Smith died
suddenly few weeks ago. he left
among his few worldly goods, two dogs
Tom and Grace Living alone and
apart. denying himself the intimacy Of
family ties. or the solace and comfort
Of faithful friend. his whole being and
nature intensely craved sympathy and
companionship. and in his quest of sym
pathy that would be silent. yet comfort
ing. and companlonship that would be
unobtruslve. yet sufficient. he took unto
his heart and home. and made trial of
their love and fidelity. these dogs.
They were his companions in many a
day s hunt through the fields and woods,
in many quiet stroll at dusk. and in
many long and weary hour in his lonely
and solitary life He lavished on them
wealth of love and affection. world OF
care and attention. and made them the
confidants and sharers of his joys and
sorrows True to the best traditions
of their race and species. they respond
ed to his caresses. returning his kind
ness. measure for measure. and with a
fidelity almost human in its intelligence
and understanding.
As Mr. Smith left no instrument of
writing, or made no nuncupatiye will
disposing of the dogs. they became the
objects of much concern and commlser-
alton on the part of the townspeOple
and friends of the owner.
The dogs are both settlers. and the
day Mr. Smith died two gentlemen took
Tom out hunting. some distance over
the river from Snow Hill When Tom
was put from the automobile. he scent
ed around for his master. and not finding
him. he started across the fields. heed
less of the hunters and their calls. The
next thing heard from Tom was 4 letter
which was received in Snow Hill from
Mrs. Cropper. Mr.. Smith niece. who
lives in Shelltown. Somerset County. in
which she stated that the dog had made
his appearance at her house on Thanks
giving Day, just one week from MIR.
Smiths death Mr.. Cropper was
greatly mystiiied at the dogs appear
ance. but made him welcome. and will
take care of him as long as he lives.
When Mr.. Smith visited his sister
last summer, he took the dog with him.
but lnasmuch as he made the trip 10 and
fro on the Steamer Maryland. 1t Is con
d. ~. H..
instinct, or wonderful exhibition. of
the reasoning power of the dog. that
he should find his way to the home OF
his masters : niece. which - forty miles
below Snow Hill.
The other dog is said to have wandered
around Snow Hill and surrounding
country in evident quest of her master.
revisiting his old haunts. listening for
his voice. hunting for scent that will
lead to his trail. searching for the hand
that fed him. seeking. searching every
where. but finding him not.
These are noble and glowing instances
of the love and devotion of the dog. and
we do not think We can better close
this appreciation than by quoting the
late Senator Vest famous 'Eulogy on
a Dog"
I
world may turn against him and become
his enemy. His son and daughter that
he has reared with loving care may be-
come ungrateful Those who are near
est and dearest 70 Us. those whom We
trust with our happiness and our good
name, may become traitors to their
faith The money that a man has he
may lose II flies away from him when
he may need il most Man reputation
may be sacrificed in a moment of Ill
considered action. The people who are
prone 10 fall on their knees. and do US
honor when success i with Us. may be
the first Ia throw the stone Of malice
when failure settles it, cloud upon our
heads The one absolutely unseltish
friend man may have in this selfish
world the one that never deserts him.
the one that never proves ungrateful or
treacherous. j. the dog
"A man : dog stands by him in pros
pcrity and poverty. in health and IN
sickness He will sleep on the cold
ground. when the wintry winds blow
and the snow drives iiercely. II only he
may be- near hi masters sitie. He
will kiss the hand that has no food 10
offer. he will lick the wounds and sores
that come in encounter with the rough
ness OF the world lie guards the
sleep OF his pauper master a If he
were prince
When all other friends desert. he
remains. When riches take wing and
reputation falls 10 pieces. he j. "a con
stant IN his love as the sun in it, jour
ney through the heavens II fortune
drives the master forth an outcast into
the world. frieudles- and homeless, the
faithful dog asks no higher privilege
then that Of accompanying him to
guard him against danger. te fight
against his enemies. and when the last
scene Of AN comes and death tahc- bis
master IN its cmbrance ami h- boiy Is
laid away in the cold ground. no matter
if an other friends pursue their way.
there los MS gravrside will the noble
dog be found. his head between hi,
paws and his eyes sad. bat open in alert
watchfulnes faithful and true oyen 10
death