The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-09-14
Animal Stories.
BY Mrs. Grace {. D. Favre, Formerly
Miss Grace c. DenslOw.
BEN-AIMA: A DOG OF HYERES.

BENAIMA: DOG OF HYERES.
This is the true but sad story of most
beautiful canine life.
Some eight years ago there came from
lovely Provence an elderly man with
splendid dog, of the breed called in
France, Braque St. German.
He was all white, with reddish patches,
dropping ears, brave eyes. and dauntle
| courage. The two We're inseparable, and
took up their abode in charming villa
on the Boulevard Orient, in the small
Riviera town of Hyeres-les Painters.
The man was silent and seff-absorbed;
the dog watchful and true.
They lived alone together with an old
Provencal bonnie. who knew and loved
them and their ways.
Life was one long holiday, made up of
glorious tramps all over the picturesque
country thereabouts, delightful maps
after succulent dinners, cosy evenings
by the hearth, master smoking and read
ing, Ben Alma looking on with worship
full eyes.
So the halcyon days passed only too
swiftly. Monsieur X. was a Legion of
Honor man, and wore with much distinc-
ton the the red rosette.
his dog, and, noting the kindling eyes
and eager tone, said, You seem to love
him very much indeed" she received the
, unexpected reply: Madame, je l'adore"
He called the dog Ben Alma which
in the sweet Provencal tongue means
well beloved
One likes to look back on those happy
days for master and dog, remembering
The bitterness which came afterwards.
Monsieur K was familiar figure in
the streets OF HyereS- white haired, SOL
dlerIy, and we'll preserved, walking erect,
With Ben-Alma ever alert at his side,
with muzzle thrust lovingly into master )
dear hand.
Then, in the twinkling of an eye, all
was changed. Master sickened and died,
the old bonnie shortly followed him to the
grave-the happy nome was broken up.
Relatives there were none; friends were
far away. And Ben Alma the well-be-
loved? Alas! What of him? What, IN
deedi
| All this was three years ago.
Last May, stroling at sunset in front
of the Villa Leo, | saw a gaunt, half
starved, pathetic looking dog, going sur
reptltlously from one garbage pile to an
other, snatching morsel of food here
and there. His whole demeanour was
so abject, so timid. so hea,t-broken, my
pity was awakened.
Approaching him, l saw plainly that
he was a magnificent specimen of his
race, though only too evidently fallen
upon evil days. His body was fearfully
emaciated. and had the droop peculiar to
canine old age. He must already have
lived at least twelve years.
l.:
lively into the shadow.
At dinner that evening | related the
unusual occurrence to our sympathetic
as Pyrene and Athos, the huge dogs from
the monkey, and half a dozen cats can
testify. Then she told me the sorrow
full story.
Since the death of his master Ben
Alma has lived in the cemetry, beside
his grave. At nightfall he comes out
seeking food. He mistrusts everyone,
asks nothing of any human. He lives
his own grief-striken life, with wonder
in his great dark eyes, and infinite de-
votlon in his canine soul.
One asks oneself what he must think
of it all. This sudden change from we'll
being, opulence, and deep affection to
the life of an outcast and a pariah. The
neighbors are very good, and purposely
put out food for him.
Every night, thereafter, | watched for
him, and gave him choice morsels and
kindly pats, which, after week of pa
tient coaxing, he shyly permitted me to
bestow. | wished that lived in Hyeres,
and could at least partially adopt him,
seeing to his creature comforts though
should always know his faithful heart
is with his cherished master in the mar
row tomb on the hillside.
Dear Ben-Aima, the well-belovedl
Yours truly is thrilling example Of de-
votion beyond the grave.
''There is love that perishes, and one
that shall outlast the glory of the SUM-.