ROVER, WHERE IS HE?
The day little Arthur was laid in the grave, Rover was seen to stand in
Mr. Martin's yard, as the body of his young master was carried out; and
when Mr. and Mrs. Martin returned home and found Rover was not there,
they supposed he had gone with the procession, and had remained behind
at his old home, and therefore they felt no anxiety about him. At Mrs.
Hamilton's when the question was asked, "Where is Rover?" some one
replied, "he staid at Mr. Martin's probably; nothing has been seen of
him here."
He would now be more fondly cherished than ever by the brothers and
sisters of his beloved master; and they resolved to send for him as soon
as possible and bring him back. He had been such a fond and faithful
friend to dear little Arthur, and had contributed so much to his
enjoyment the last year of his life, that henceforth he would be
associated with the image of that dear, dead brother, and would have for
them a tender and mournful interest. When they sent for him, nothing
could be found of the poor creature; no one had seen him, nor did long
and protracted search discover any tidings or traces of him. Had he
wandered off into the woods on that mournful day, and laid down and died
of grief? Had he been stolen and carried off? Had he been accidentally
destroyed? No one could tell. No one ever knew. But now, after long
years have passed away, with the memory of little Arthur Hamilton is
associated that of the faithful Rover; and an allusion to the dear child
so early called away, is sure to bring up the remembrance of Rover, and
of his mysterious end.