A man, with a dog crouching in front of himTHE DOG FAITHFUL TILL DEATH. Page 92.
“As soon as he saw his master, he testified his joy by wagging his tail. He could do no more; he tried to rise, but his strength was gone. The vitaltide was ebbing fast; and even the caresses of his master could not prolong his life for a few moments. He stretched out his tongue to lick the hand that was now fondling him in the agonies of regret, as if to seal forgiveness of the deed that had deprived him of life. He then cast a look of love on his master, and closed his eyes in death.”
Mr. Lee returned one day from the city with a party of friends who had been invited to visit them. They were all seated at the tea table, when a quick ringing of one of the chamber bells attracted their attention.
The gentleman glanced at his wife, who at once noticed that all the family were present atthe table, and only answered by the words, “Who can it be?”
“It is Maria or Emily Otis, from the city,” he answered, smiling. “They came, I suspect, in the noon train, and have taken this method to announce their arrival.”
At this moment the bell was rung again, and more furiously than before.
Minnie sprang up, and ran from the room. She reachedthe chamber just as a servant was opening the door. What was their surprise, instead of the expected guest, to see Tiney standing on his hind feet pulling the bell rope! He had accidentally been shut into the chamber, and took this means to get out.
The child ran down with the news, and Tiney, who followed her, was quite the hero of the occasion.
After dinner, the conversationturned upon the intelligence and fidelity of dogs, when one of the gentlemen related the following singular incident, which he said was strictly true:—
“An English officer, who was in Paris somewhere near the year 1815, was once crossing one of the bridges over the Seine, when a poodle dog rubbed against his boots, which had just been polished, dirtying them so much that he was obliged to go to aman stationed on the bridge to clean them.
“The same circumstance having occurred more than once, his curiosity was excited, and he watched the dog. He saw him roll himself in the mud of the river, and then station himself where he could see a person with well-polished boots, against which he contrived to rub himself.
“Finding that the shoe-black was the owner of the poodle, hetaxed him with the artifice; and after a little hesitation, he confessed that he had taught the dog the trick, in order to procure customers for himself.
“The officer, being much surprised at the dog’s sagacity, purchased him at a high price, and carried him to England. He kept him tied up in London some time, and then released him. The poodle remained with him a day or two, and then made hisescape. A fortnight afterwards, he was found with his former master, pursuing his old trade of dirtying gentlemen’s boots on the bridge.”
“Your story, which is a capital one,” remarked another gentleman of the company, “reminds me of something I read lately, which, if not well vouched for, I should scarcely have credited.
“A man by the name of Edward Cook, after having livedsome time with his brother in Northumberland, came to the United States, bringing with him a pointer dog, which he lost soon afterwards, while shooting in the woods near Baltimore.
“Some time after, his brother and sister, who continued to reside in Northumberland, were alarmed at hearing a dog in the night. They arose, admitted it to the house, and found, to their surprise, it was the same theirbrother had taken with him to America. The dog lived with them until Mr. Edward Cook returned, when they mutually recognized each other.
“They were never able to trace by what vessel the dog had left America, or in what part of England it had been landed.”
“One of the best stories I have heard of the sagacity of a dog,” remarked a lady, “was the account of Caniche, which, if not familiar to you, is well worth repeating.”
Mr. Lee begged her to favor the company with the story, when she began.
“Once upon a time, Dumont, a tradesman of the Rue St. Denis, in Paris, was walking with a friend, when he offered to lay a wager with the latter, that, if he were to hide a six-livre piece in the dust, his dog would discoverit, and bring it to him. The wager was accepted, and the piece of money secreted, after being carefully marked.
“When the two had proceeded some distance from the spot, M. Dumont said to his dog that he had lost something, and ordered him to seek it. Caniche immediately turned back, and her master and companion pursued their walk to the Rue St. Denis.
“Meanwhile, a traveller, who happened to be just then returning in a small chaise from Vincennes, perceived the piece of money which his horse had kicked from its hiding place. He alighted, took it up, and drove to his inn.
“Caniche, after a careful search, had just reached the spot in pursuit of the lost piece, when the stranger picked it up. She at once set off after the chaise,went into the inn, and stuck close to the traveller. Having scented out the coin in the pocket of the latter, which she had been ordered to bring back, she leaped up incessantly at and about him. The traveller, supposing him to be some dog that had been lost by her master, regarded these movements as marks of fondness, and, as the animal was handsome, determined to keep her. He gaveher a good supper, and, on retiring to bed, took her with him to his chamber. No sooner had he pulled off his pantaloons than they were seized by the dog: the owner, conceiving that she wanted to play with them, took them away again. The animal then began to bark at the door, which the traveller opened, under the idea that the dog wanted to go out. Caniche snatched up the pantaloons, and away sheflew, the traveller posting after her, dressed only in his night shirt. Anxiety for the fate of a purse full of gold Napoleons of forty francs each gave redoubled quickness to his steps.
“Caniche, having a good start, ran full speed to her master’s house, where the stranger arrived a moment afterward, breathless and enraged. He accused the dog of robbing him.
“‘Sir,’ said the master, ‘mydog is a very faithful creature; and if she has run away with your pantaloons, it is because you have in them money which does not belong to you.’
“The traveller became still more exasperated.
“‘Compose yourself, sir,’ rejoined the other, smiling: ‘without doubt there is in your purse a six-livre piece, with such and such marks, which you have picked up in the Boulevard St.Antoine, and which I threw down there with the firm conviction that my dog would bring it back again. This is the cause of the robbery which she has committed upon you.’
“The stranger’s rage now yielded to astonishment; he delivered the six-livre piece to the owner, and could not forbear caressing the dog which had given him so much uneasiness and such an unpleasant chase.”
“There is no doubt,” remarked Mr. Lee, “that the character and intellectual faculties of the dog are more strongly developed than those of any other quadruped, on account of his being the constant companion of man. It is a pleasing thought, the more that is known of his fidelity, faithfulness, and sagacity, the more he will be appreciated, and the better, therefore, his treatment is likely to be.”
“Mother,” cried Minnie, one morning, “will you tell me about the dogs people used to have in old times, when the Bible was written? Father read about the dog with the flocks.”
“Yes, dear. The shepherds had dogs whose duty seemed only to be to guard the flock from the attacks of wild beasts,and, like the Spanish sheep dog of the present day, had nothing to do with the management of sheep. Indeed, he seems to have been regarded with great dislike by the Jews, and, if not carefully watched, was more destructive to the sheep than the beast of whose approach he was to give warning. When he was not on duty, he was regarded as a great pest and destroyer.
“Among the Arabs, travellers in the East say, this is the character of them all; they are cruel, bloodthirsty, always hungry, and never satisfied. His look is savage, and his appearance disagreeable. The Moors grant him a corner in their tent, but that is all; they never caress him, never throw him any thing to eat. To this treatment must the indifference of dogs to their masters be ascribed.
“The Spanish sheep dogs are used entirely for the defence of the flock against wolves. In case of attack, the sheep fly to them, and gather round them as friends and protectors. They are also taught, if a sheep lags behind unobserved by the shepherds, to stay with it, and defend it until some one returns for it.
“In later times man has made a companion of this faithful animal, and the dog well reciprocates the kindness. The Scotch sheep dog, or colley, has no superior, scarcely an equal, in managing a flock. The Ettrick Shepherd says, that a single shepherd, with one of these colleys, will accomplish more in gathering a flock of sheep from a Highland farm than twenty shepherds could do without it. Neither hunger, fatigue, nor the worst treatment, will draw him from his master’s side, and hewill follow him through every hardship without murmur or repining.
“Mr. Hogg also gives an account of his own colley, ‘Sirrah,’ who had one night a flock of lambs under his care. They became frightened at something, and ran in all directions, scattering among the hills.
“‘Sirrah,’ exclaimed Mr. Hogg, in despair, ‘they’re a’ awa’!’
“The dog dashed off throughthe darkness. After spending, with his assistants, the whole night in a fruitless search after the fugitives, the shepherd commenced his return home. Coming to a deep ravine, they found Sirrah in charge of what, as they supposed, was one of the scattered divisions; but what was their joyful surprise to find that not one of the flock was missing!”
“O,” cried Minnie, “wasn’t he a good fellow!”
“Yes, dear; and the English sheep dog is also remarkable for its docility and faithfulness. It is larger and more powerful than the colley; and they are so useful to their employers that a writer says it would be almost impossible to conduct the markets without them. If you were to visit the Smithfield market in London, on Monday or Friday, you would see them at their work. Vast droves of sheep andother animals are brought from the country for the supply of the great metropolis, and are here crowded into the smallest possible space. Of course each owner wishes his flock kept from mingling with others; and this business devolves on his dog. If one sheep slips away, by a motion of the hand, or one word of command, the master signifies his desire, and the truant is instantly sought and returned,the dog always holding it by the side of the head, so as not to bruise the body. His eye is continually on his master’s countenance, anxious to learn his wishes, or on the particular flock he has in charge. As difficulties multiply, his sagacity becomes almost human, and he seems to know every individual belonging to his flock.”
Minnie listened to this account with great interest; but nowshe started up, her whole countenance blazing with excitement, and exclaiming, “Father, you’ll need a dog, you know, for your sheep. If you’ll buy an English shepherd pup, I’ll let Nannie take care of it, and train it for you.”
“Thank you, love,” said her father, patting her head fondly; “but I’m afraid Nannie is scarcely capable of such business. I’ll tell you a story of a remarkable Spanish shepherd dog which cameto America from England. His name was Arrogante, and he was an animal of prodigious power. There was nothing affectionate or joyous about him. He never forgave an injury or an insult. He was proud and reserved, but not quarrelsome. Little curs would often run up to him, or seize his long, bushy tail; but he seldom condescended to notice them: when he did, he soon made an end of them.
“Arrogante was honest, faithful, and courageous. He was a strictly temperance dog, and would allow no one on the premises who was what is called worse for liquor. Many a time, according to his own confession, the bailiff who usually fed Arrogante was obliged to sleep on the ground outside the farm because he came home unsteady from too much drinking.
“On one occasion a couple ofsailors, wishing to take advantage of the tide, came unexpectedly to the farm, soon after midnight, to take away some potatoes they had purchased from Mr. Rotch. But Arrogante would not consent to what he considered unlawful proceedings. He forced the men into an empty cart, and kept them there till morning. Once or twice they tried to put a foot over the side of the cart, but were convinced if they persevered the dog would kill them. They lost the tide, and were greatly disappointed, but, like honest fellows, confessed the fault was their own.
“A gentleman who, I am sorry to say, was fond of spirituous liquors, lived near the farm, and often passed near the stable where Arrogante had his headquarters. This gentleman was regularly introduced to him, and warned by his master againstever provoking him. Returning home, late one Saturday evening, on horseback, from a convivial meeting, as he galloped past the stable he met Arrogante, and wantonly struck at him with a hunting whip. He was a large man, and rode a powerful horse, which was going at full speed, so that he escaped before the astonished dog recovered from his surprise.
“The next morning the gentleman was on his way to church mounted as before. Arrogante, who was watching for him, at once knew the tread of his horse, and stood grimly awaiting his insulter. When the gentleman had approached within a few yards, the dog gave a spring, and met him in the air, in a deadly aim at his throat. Nothing but the sudden jump of the very active horse saved the rider’s throat and his life; but so narrowly had he escaped, that he felt the gnashing teeth of the frenzied brute scrape down his dress, where they came in contact with, and closed upon, his watch, tearing it away with the adjacent clothing, and chewing it into atoms. The cause of this terrible onset not being disclosed at the time, Mr. Rotch, though convinced that Arrogante had not been the aggressor, felt obliged to have him shot.”
“You promised, cousin Ida, to read about the Stockholm dog.”
“I will, Minnie; but uncle George has something to tell you.”
“Read it now, Ida,” said Mr. Lee, “and I will relate my stories afterward.”
“A captain of an English merchant vessel arrived in theport of Stockholm, in Sweden, and was soon afterward seized with an illness, of which he died. At the time of his death, he had on board a fine, large Newfoundland dog, which was fondly attached to him. On the day of the captain’s funeral, Neptune was allowed to follow his poor master to the grave; and, after the funeral ceremony had been performed, the officers and crew made every exertion to inducethe dog to follow them to the ship, but all in vain; and their endeavors to catch him proving fruitless, they left him in the churchyard.
“During the short time the ship remained in port, Neptune might be seen at all times lying with his head on the grave, and every day the sailors brought him his food; but he was so vigilant on these occasions that they never could get near him,to take him back to the ship, and they were obliged to sail without him.
“The neighboring Swedish inhabitants, in admiration of the extraordinary attachment displayed by this animal to his late master, made arrangements among themselves to supply him with his daily food; and, as the weather soon became extremely cold, a subscription was made, to build him a comfortable doghouse, which was placed near the grave.
“It was affecting to see how earnestly Neptune gazed into every new-made grave, proving that he cherished the hope of seeing his beloved master again.
“He remained on the grave for several years, and came to be called the dog of Stockholm, when, one day, he was found dead at his post.”
“I love Neptune,” falteredMinnie, wiping her eyes. “I wish I could have seen him there. But, father, what did you say you had to tell me?”
“I found two remarkable stories of the exhibition of dogs, which I thought would interest you; and so I took the pains to borrow the book for your benefit.
“The first was an account of two pointers, Braque and Philax, exhibited in London by Mr.Leonard, a French gentleman of great wealth, who had instructed his dogs for his own amusement. He was earnest in stating that it only required gentle, persevering effort to teach them almost any thing.
“The dogs were in vigorous health, and having bowed gracefully to the company, seated themselves on the hearth rug, side by side. Mr. Leonard spoke to his dogs in French, in hisusual low tone, and ordered one of them to walk, the other to lie down, to run, to gallop, to halt, to crouch, all of which they did as promptly and correctly as the most docile children.
“He then placed six cards, of different colors, on the floor, and, sitting with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the blue card and the other the white, varying his orders rapidly, and speaking in such a manner thatit was impossible they could have executed his commands if they had not a perfect knowledge of his words.
“For instance, he said, ‘Philax, take the blue card, and give it to Braque; and, Braque, take the red card and give it to Philax;’ and these orders were instantly executed.
“Pieces of bread and meat were placed on the floor, when Philax was ordered to bring apiece of meat and give it to Braque, and then Braque was ordered to give it back to Philax, who was to return it to its place. Braque was then ordered to bring a piece of meat and eat it; but before he had time to swallow it, he was forbidden to do so, and instantly pushed it through his teeth, to show that he obeyed.
“After this, Mr. Leonard invited any gentleman to play agame of dominos with Braque. The dog seated himself at the table, and his antagonist opposite him. Six dominos were given to the dog, and six more to the gentleman. Braque, having the double number, took it in his mouth, and put it in the middle of the table, when the gentleman put down a corresponding piece.
“Braque instantly placed another correctly, when the gentleman intentionally placed a wrong number.
“The dog stared, growled, and at last barked angrily. Finding no notice was taken of his remonstrances, he pushed away the wrong domino with his nose, picked a suitable one from his own pieces, and put it instead, when they went on, and Braque won the game.”
“O, father, I mean to teach Tiney to play with me.”
“But here is a wonderful story about dogs.”
“About fifty years ago, a Frenchman brought to London from eighty to a hundred dogs, chiefly poodles, all nearly the same size, and of the smaller kind. On the education of these animals their proprietor had bestowed a great deal of pains.
“From puppyhood upwards they had been taught to walk on their hind legs, and maintainedtheir footing with surprising ease in that unnatural position.
“Among other performances was the representation of a siege. On the rising of a curtain, there appeared three ranges of ramparts, one above the other. In the centre of the fortress arose a tower, on which a flag was flying. The ramparts were guarded by soldiers in uniform, each armed with a musket or sword of an appropriate size.All these were dogs, and their duty was to defend the walls from an attacking party, whose movements now commenced the operations of the siege.
“After some skirmishing, in which the chief, habited as an officer of rank, was conspicuous, the drums beat to arms, and the battle commenced in earnest. The chief of the assailants did wonders. He was seen, now here, now there, animating hismen, and seeming to receive an accession of courage on every fresh repulse.
“The rattle of the miniature cannon, the roll of the drums, the sound of trumpets, and the heroism of the actors on both sides, imparted an idea of reality to the scene. After numerous hair-breadth escapes, the enemy’s standard was hurled down, and the British flag hoisted in its place; the ramparts weremanned by the conquerors, and the smoke cleared away to the tune of ‘God save the King.’
“But a still more wonderful scene was an assembly room, on the sides and the farther end of which seats were placed; while a music gallery and a profusion of chandeliers gave a richness and truth to the general effect. Liveried servants were in attendance on a few of the dog company who entered.
“Frequent knockings were now heard at the door, followed by the entrance of parties attired in the fashion of the period. These were the same dogs who had recently been engaged in the battle; but now all was peace, elegance, and ease. Different parties of dogs were introduced to each other with an appearance of the greatest decorum. The dogs representing ladies were dressed in silks,gauzes, laces, and gay ribbons, and adorned with artificial flowers, with flowing ringlets, with powdered and pomatumed headdresses, with caps and lappets, in ludicrous contrast to their natural features. The dogs representing gentlemen were equipped, some as youthful, and others as aged beaux.
“The frequent bow and responsive courtesy produced great mirth in the audience.Suddenly, the master of ceremonies appeared. He wore a court dress, and his manners were in agreement with his costume. To some of the dog-gentlemen, he gave merely a look of recognition; to the ladies he was attentive; to some he offered his paw familiarly, to others he bowed with respect, and introduced one to another with an elegance that surprised the spectators.
“The music was soon interrupted by a loud knocking, which announced the arrival of some important visitor. Several liveried servants entered, and then a sedan chair was borne in by appropriately dressed dogs. They removed the poles, raised the head, and opened the door of the sedan, when forth came a dog-lady splendidly attired in satin, decorated with jewels and a plume of ostrich feathers!She made a great impression, and appeared conscious of her superior charms, returning the bow of the master of ceremonies with a courtesy.
“The band now struck up an air appropriate for the promenade; and the company instantly quitted their seats, and began to walk in pairs around the room.
“On seats being resumed, the master of ceremonies and thesedan chair lady arose: he led her to the centre of the room, Foote’s minuet struck up, when the pair commenced the movements with an attention to time. They performed the crossings and turnings, the advancings and retreatings, and obeisances, during which there was a perfect silence; and they concluded the whole amid thunders of applause.”
16mo.
MINNIE’S PET MONKEY.
BYMRS. MADELINE LESLIE,AUTHOR OF “THE LESLIE STORIES,” “TIM, THE SCISSORS-GRINDER,”ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
BOSTON:LEE AND SHEPARD,Successors to Phillips, Sampson & Co.1864.
Transcriber’s NoteA handwritten note on the dedication page identifies Henry Fowle Durant, Jr. as: “Son of founder of Wellesley College which was founded in memory of the boy who died in youth. K.F.R.”The following typographical errors were corrected.PageErrorCorrection18her parents went aher parents went on a24“What can you give me for supper?”“‘What can you give me for supper?’24‘“That is too“‘That is too29from the ship.from the ship.”73them to you.”them to you.78rather sad.”rather sad.82very affecting.”very affecting.129have him shot.have him shot.”150The music was“The music was
Transcriber’s Note
A handwritten note on the dedication page identifies Henry Fowle Durant, Jr. as: “Son of founder of Wellesley College which was founded in memory of the boy who died in youth. K.F.R.”
The following typographical errors were corrected.