A NOBLE DOG

Temuka Leader, Issue 1341, 16 May 1885, Page 3

A NOBLE DOG

Stories illustrating the intelligence and devotion of dogs are common enough, yet there is one related in the Courier d*s Etata Unis, which affords such a striking proof of boUi qualities that its merits attention. The animal which is the hero of it was Newfoundland named Hecker. His home was an hotel near New York, and his particular friend the porter of the hotel. The latter was in the deplorable habit of getting drunk nightly, and it is presumed that whilst in that condition he involuntarily set fire to his lodge. In any case Hecker, perceiving in the dead of his night smoke arising from the room he slept in, barked loudly to awaken the porter, and finding that the man was not aroused by this, he climbed on to the bed and pulled him by the ears, allowing him no peace until he became conscious of the danger. He was too drunk to save him* self ; so Hecker laid hold of him, dragged him into the street, and then returned to the hotel, now in flames, to save or warn others. Having roused the master of the house and several of the inmates and seeing them in safety, the heroic animal returned again to his task, brought out an infant between his teeth, dragged its mother, in a swoon, down the staircase, performed several other noble deeds, and then was seen no more. In the confusion and excitement, in fact, the fate of Hecker was not thought of by any of those he had helped to escape. His charred remains were afterwards discovered in the ruins, and he was interred with befitting honors, and all who witnessed his splendid conduct followed him to the grave.