Year: 1861




In the fall of 1S43 | made a journey from
central New York down through the eastern
part of PENNSYLVANIA to the ty of Philadelphia,
in numbering old stage coach. 10 make mat
tiers as disagreeablc as possible, it CHANGED that
early one evening ] was reused from sort of
travelling doze by sort of crash and jar, and
the settling down of the front part of The vehi-
Gle. The fore part of the axletree had broken
close to the fore wheel, and until it could be re-
pared we could not proceed further.


"Theres 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 lodgings at farmhouse close by"


As was the only passenger, preferred the
nearest lodgings and getting the driver to as
sist me in removing my luggage thither, asked
entertainment Of the farmer, who assented in a
cordial manner and in less than an hour | was
seated at table, and doing ample justice to the
good cheer before me.


The family Of Mr.. Mans6eld-for such was
the name Of the worthy farmer-consisted of
himself wife, a pretty daughter of fourteen,
and large English mas,if. | have included
the dog, because his wonderful sagacity entitled
him to a rank much higher than an ordinary
beast.


Before knew anything of the remarkable
qualities of the animal, was peculiarly attrac-
ted to him by certain air, Of stately dignity
combined with gentlcncss, and the almost hu-
man look of intelligence that beamed from his
eyes. 1t seemed when ne looked at me stead
lily and heard me speak, as if he really knew
what ! said, and more than once | caught my
self fancying that he was about to reply.


THAT is very fine dog you have, Mr.. Mans.
feld.', l casual y remarked, as drew back from
the table and saw the ewes of the animal fixed
so gently and comprehensively upon mine.
"At what price do YOU value him ?"


"His weight in dmonds could not purchase
him, sir !" replied the farmer.


"Indeed !"


"No, sir; he is one of us-one of our fam
lily, may say-and would quite as soon think
of disposing Of my wife, or my daughter Hat
tie there, as of selling him.


"There must be a very strong attachment
between you, certainly" l rejoined.


"lndeed there is; bond of union that
nothing but death can sever. A most extra
ordinary ANIMAL sir, is Bruno; and to him, un-
der God, am indebted for the life of my dar-
since been house Of mourning"


"You excite my curiosity; will you not fay Or
me with the story P"


"Presently | will, sir. But first let me show
you how much Bruno knows and understands.
Where did you place the candle stick last night,
Hattie, when you went TO bedP ?"


"On the table, father"


as it there now?"


"No, sir; brought it down this morning."


"And the extinguisher?"


81 left that on the table"


"You may go and get it. Stayw he con.
tinued, as she rose to obey, "you may not be
able to fad it in the dark, and Bruno can. Go
and get it Bruno"


The dog had been looking at us and seeming
ly listening TO the conversation, 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 a few mo-
ments he returned with the extinguisher in his
mouth, which he carrad straight to his master.


"Give it to Hattie" said the latter.


The dog at once advanced to the girl.


81 think mother wants it." laughed Hattie.


The dog Immediately went to Mrs Mans
field, who was busy drying some dishes and
placing them upon large, old-fashioned cup
board.


"Poor Bruno" said the mistress with a
smile "they are only trying you; but ii you
will go over to the fireplace, and take seat
till | am done, | will relieve you of your charge


No human being could have shown a more
ready comprehension of everything spoken in ar
ordinary tone than did the sagacious brute
and as he walked over with stately step ant
seated himself as directed, with the extngu sher
still in his mouth, involuntarily uttered an eX
clamation Of surprise.


II suppose you think this is very clever
trick which he has been taught" observed the
farmer, turning to me with triumphant smile
shut assure you, upon my honor, | never
asked him to do the same thing before"


OF course, was all amazement. What
the power of speech, was the dividing line be-
tween this brute and the human speciesP AT
ter trying him several times more, in different
ways, and thus proving him to have knowl
, edge of all that was said to him, Mr. Mansfe lt
proceeded to relate the following exciting ant
interesting incident:


"Six years ago last summer" began thu
worthy farmer, ION a cold drizzly afternoon
drove down to the village to get my horse shod
and, being detained till nearly dark, Hattie wa'
sent by her mother to fetch the cows from
distant pasture. There seemed to be sufficien
daylight for the purpose when she first set out
but night came fast and suddenly and when
got home Hattie had not yet returned. From
the very moment Of being told whether SHE
had gone, felt a strange uneasiness about th
poor girl; for the night had then set in inten
sely dark, and her path lay over rugged hill
through patch of woods, and the necl
OF Hllry swamp, Wnere nau maze u Sdle ioot
path by sinking some logs in the treacherou
ground, and constructing a rude bridge across
the sluggish stream. But should either she oil
the cows miss this bridge, and get into thu
swamp, there was danger of their being miret
and suffocated; and therefore, it was with I
good deal of anxiety that myself and wife
lighted by lantern, hurried over to the perlou
spot hoping to meet Hattie on the way.
"a fine, misty rain was steadily falling, anC
; clouds hung about the earth ike a fog, so tha
it was impossible to see only few feet will
the aid of the light, and not an inch without it
Judging from careful inspection, that the cat
: tie had not crossed the bridge, we went over t,
! the pasture in search of them, calling HATTIE
loudly all the time. We found most of th
animals AT no great distance; but two animal
wese missing, and the poor child was not to bt
discovered. Then we became alarmed in ear
nest, and commenced search for her, hurryinl
from one point to another, and shouting he
name and hallooing continually. This we die
for couple of hours and then my poor wife
sat down and wrung her hands in deep despair
suggested to her that Hattie might even thel
be at home alarmed at our absence, and thi
I inspired her mother with sufficient strength anC
hope to get there, where she sunk down un le
2 a new disappointment, hel pless as a child.
"Ah, sir, that was a time of terrible trial [,
! me-my sweet child lost, my wife utterly pros
. trated, and not another soul near TO give M