Year: 1861

from Central New York down through
the eastern part of Pennsylvania to the
city of Philadelphia, in 4 numbering old
stage coach To make matters disagreed
bic as possible, it CHANGED that early one
evening | was reused from a sort of tray-
cling doze by n sort of crash and jar. and
the settling down of the front part of the
vehicle The fore part of the axletree
had broken close to the fore wheel, and
until it could be repaired we could not
proceed further


There's a small village back here about
three miles said the driver, ''to which
| am going to take the horses, and YOU
may either come with me or get lodgin.
at farmhouse close by.


As / was the only passenger, Ipreferred
the nearest lodgings; and getting the dri-
Yer to assist me in removing my luggage
thither, | asked entertainment Of the far
mer, who assented in a cordial manner:
and in less than an hour | was seated at
table, and doing ample i;.otIce to the good
cheer before me


The family of Mr. Mansfield-fo such
was the name of the worthy farmer-con-
sisted of hims elf, his wife, a pretty daush-
tel of fourteen. and large English mas
tiff | have included the dog because his
wonderful sagacitv entitled him to rank
much higher than an ordinary beast


Before | knew anything of the remark
able qualities of the animal, | was pecu-
liarly attracted TO him by certain air of
stately dignity, combined with gentleness
and the almost human look of intelligence
that beamed from his ewes 1t seemed.
when he looked at me steadily and heard
me speak. as if he really knew what
said, and more than once caught myself
fancvine that h was about to reply


That is very fine dog YOU have, Mr.
Mansfield, casually remar led as drew
back from the table and saw the eyes of
the animal fixed so gently and comprehen-
sively upon mine. AT what price do you
value him 2


His weight in diamonds could not pur-
chase him, sir! = replied the farmer


Indeed p


mo sir; he is one of us-on of our
family, | may say-and | would quite as
soon think of disposing of my wife, or my
daughter Hattie, there, as of selling him "


There must be very strong attach
ment between YOU, certainly" | reioined


Indeed there is; n bond of union that
nothing but death can sever A most ex-
traordinarv animal, sir, is Bruno and to
nm. uhIci 'OI. am lllfl''Dieu lOT TIE lie
Of my darling child Only for him, sir,
this would long since have been n house
Of mourning"


" on excite my curiosity will you not
favor me with the story?


Presently | will, sir But first let me
show you how much Bruno knows and I'M
derstands. Where did you place the can
dlestick last night, Hattie when YOU went
to bed p


''On the table, father


is it there now2'


no, brought it down this morning.


And the extinguisher p


Il left that on the table"


You may 20 and get it Stay :" he
continued, as she rose 10 obey, ~ ou may
not be able to find it in the dark, and,
Bruno can. Go and get it. Bruno


The doc, who had been looking at us,
and seemingly listening to the conversa-
ton, now quietly arose, and going to the
door, which opened upon a stairway, he
stretched himself upward, lifted the latch
with one paw, pulled the door open with
the other, and disappeared. In few mo-
ments he returned with the extincuishcr
in his mouth, which he carried straight to
his master


Give it TO Hattie said the master
The dog at once advanced to the girl
Il think mother wants it, laughed
Hattie


The dog Immediately went to Mrs Man
field, who was busy drying some dishes
and PIaci ing them upon an old-fs.shioned ed
cupboard,


Poor Bruno" said the mistress with
smile, they are only trying you; but il
YOU will 20 over to the fire place, and take
a seat till | am done, | Will relieve you OF
your charge


No human being could have shown a
more ready comprehension of everything
/ spoken IN an ordinary tone than did the
sagacicus brute and as he walked over
with q stately step and seated himself IS
directed, with the extinguishcr still in his
mouth, involuntarily uttered an exclam
alton of surprise


/ suppose YOU think this is very clev
er trick which he has been taught" OBJ
served the farmer turning 10 me with a
triumphant smile but assure YOU. upon
my honor, | never asked him to do tht
same thing before"


OF course. | was all amazement What
save the power of speech, was the dividing
line between this brute and the human
specie? After trying him several times
more, in different WAYS and thus proving
him to have knowledge of all that was
said to him Mr. Mansfield proceeded tt
relate the following exciting and interest
ing incident


SIX years ago last summer, began the
worthy farmer, ''on cold drizzlv after
noon, | drove to the village to get my horse
Shod, and being detained till nearly dark
Hattie was sent by her mother to fetch
the cows from distant pasture. There
seemed to bc sufficient daylight for tho
purpose when she first set out; but nigh
came fast and suddenly and when | 90,
home Hattie had not vet returned. From
the very moment Of being told whittier
she had gone, felt a strange uneasines>
about the poor girl; for the night had ther
set in intensely dark. and her path lay
over 4 rugged hill. through a batch o
woods, and across the neck of miry
swamp. where | bad made Il safe footpatt
by sinking some logs in the treacherou:
ground, and constructing a rude bridge
across the sluggish stream. But should
either she or the cows miss this bridge
and get into the swamp, there was danger
of their being mired and suffocated; and
therefore, 1t was with good deal of anxi
ETY. that myself and wife lighted up Ian
torn burria1 70 the DprIlnns Spa-