CANINE FIDELITY.

Evening Star, Issue 3289, 4 September 1873, Page 3

CANINE FIDELITY.

Sterling fidelity is such an extremely rare phenomenon in mundane affairs, that when one meets with it one is filled with genuine admiration. It may not be flattering to human selfconceit, but it is a real fact that the canine race excels the lords, aye, and the ladies too, of creation in this virtue. Touching proofs of this are of not unfrequent occurrence. Here is one : A dipsomaniac in New South Wales not long since perished from drink. He had no friend near, he had not even an acquaintance at hand when the last moment arrived. He had only a dog. The faithful creature watched his master through the dread horrors of a drunkard’s mortal illness. He moved not from his side when the last pulsation of a frenzied brain was over. When the hand that had fed him so often, and patted his meek face so many times in kindness, was still and chill and stark, he stirred not. Fourteen foodless days and fourteen foodless nights dragged by their weary, silent train, and yet the dog kept patient guard by the rotting corpse of what had been his master. How he must have marvelled at the stillness of the lips whose sound, however harsh to others’ ears, had been sweetest music to his at all times ! What fancies must have crossed his brain as to the reason of the glassy stare of the eyes so often bent on him in caressing glance. But through all the famine-gnawing minutes, hours, and days, the trusty sentinel never once deserted his post. Acts of heroism are rewarded when men are the performers. Surely it would be only just to encircle the neck of this noble animal with a golden collar, bearing the motto Semper Jidelis. — Gr. £, Argus.