Madeline Leslie

“ 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 recipro [116] cates the kindness. ”

“ 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 came [123] to 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ After this, whenever Tiney saw him, he began to bark, or rather to growl; but Leo never took the least notice of him.
Tiney, however, was fond of running to the gate to see what dogs were passing by. In this way, he formed many acquaintances, and some very bad ones.
An express-man used to pass the house two or three times a week, and was always accompanied by a large mastiff, a [15] savage-looking dog, with a deep bass voice.
One day, when the express-man’s wagon was going by, Tiney began to jump up before the horses’ mouths and bark. ”

“ 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. ”

“ On the bed were Fidelle and Tiney, the latter nestled closely under his little mistress’s arm.
By the side of the couch, with his fore paws resting on the white counterpane, stood Leo, grave and dignified, seeming to realize more than any of them what a sad thing it was for Minnie to be lying there, instead of running over the grounds as usual.
Just at this moment, Anne came into the room bringing [62] Jacko, who began to grin and chatter with delight.
Mrs. Lee directed the woman to fasten the monkey’s chain tightly to the post of the bedstead, and let him have his liberty ”

“ 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.”
[112]
CHAPTER VI.
THE SHEPHERD’S DOG.
“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.” ”

“ CANICHE AND THE TRAVELLER.
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 at [95] the table, and only answered by the words, “Who can it be?” ”

“ The excitement proved too much for Minnie, and she began to sob hysterically.
Leo came to lick her hand, apparently aware that he had done wrong, but she cried out,—
“Go away, you naughty dog. I don’t love you at all now.”
Leo was presently sent from the room. Jacko, after overturn [64] ing every thing in the closet, was returned to his cage, and then, in order to soothe the little girl, Mrs. Lee proposed that Ida should bring the book, and read some anecdotes about dogs.
The first one she read was this:—
“Rev. James Simpson, of Edinburgh, had a large Newfoundland dog. ”

“ 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!”
[119] “Yes, dear; and the English sheep dog is also remarkable for its docility and faithfulness. It is larger and more powerful than the colley ”

“ 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 gen [128] tleman 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 ”

“ This tomb is still called Beth-Gelert, or the tomb of Gelert; multitudes have there heard the account of his bravery and his untimely death.”
“How very sorry he must have been!” exclaimed Minnie, tears filling her eyes.
“Read that account of the Stockholm dog,” said Mrs. Lee.
“Yes, aunt; but first here is a story of the fidelity of a dog, which is very affecting.”
[83] “A French merchant, having some money due from a correspondent, set out on horseback, accompanied by his dog, on purpose to receive it. ”

“ Mr. Lee laughed. “Do you [45] remember,” he asked, turning to his wife, “the story we heard long ago of that old gentleman in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who had such a knowing dog?”
“Yes, I remember. Minnie will be interested to hear that.”
“O, yes, father!”
“It seems his dog was so intelligent that he could do almost every thing but talk. Among other things, he was in the constant habit of attending church [46] with his master. The old gentleman wore a wig, and having purchased a new one, donned it for the first time on Sunday morning, leaving the old one hanging on a chair in his bed room. ”

“ Taylor; ‘that would make me too thirsty.’
“‘Some pigeons?’
“The dog here stood up.
“‘No; there is no nourishment in them.’
“‘A fowl?’ said the hostess, on which the dog started hastily out of the room.
[26] “‘What is the matter with your dog?’ asked the gentleman, noticing a smile on the woman’s face.
“‘O, nothing at all,’ was her reply; ‘he only wishes to escape his work. He is anxious to know what you decide upon; for if you say a fowl, he is sure he will have to turn the spit.’”
Both Mrs. Lee and Minnie laughed heartily at this anecdote. ”

“ THE INTELLIGENT POODLES.
“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 the [131] port 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 so they were ever after.”
“That is a very good story,” said Minnie, smiling. “I wish [78] you would read another one as good.”
“Here is one,” responded Ida, having cast her eye over it, “which is rather sad.”
“A gentleman named Llewelyn had a fine hunter, which he called Gelert. One day, the dog refused to accompany his master to the chase, which made him very angry.
“Gelert always kept sentinel at night at the door of his bed [79] chamber, and, on his return from the chase, Llewelyn met the dog coming from the room, covered with blood. ”

“ 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, ‘my [109] dog 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. ”

“ 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 a [139] piece 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 ”