I must now tell you a story which many believe, but which others
consider "too good to be true."
A gentleman who owned a fine Newfoundland dog, of which he was very
proud, was one warm summer's evening riding out with a friend, when he
asserted that his dog would find and bring to him any article he might
leave behind him. Accordingly it was agreed that a shilling should be
marked and placed under a stone, and that after they had proceeded three
or four miles on their road, the dog should be sent back for it. This
was done--the dog, which was with them, observing them place the coin
under the stone, a somewhat heavy one. They then rode forward the
distance proposed, when the dog was despatched by his master for the
shilling. He seemed fully to understand what was required of him; and
the two gentlemen reached home, expecting the dog to follow immediately.
They waited, however, in vain. The dog did not make his appearance,
and they began to fear that some accident had happened to the animal.
The faithful dog was, however, obedient to his master's orders. On
reaching the stone he found it too heavy to lift, and while scraping and
working away, barking every now and then in his eagerness, two horsemen
came by. Observing the dog thus employed, one of them dismounted and
turned over the stone, fancying that some creature had taken refuge
beneath it. As he did so, his eye fell on the coin, which--not
suspecting that it was the object sought for--he put into his breeches
pocket before the animal could get hold of it. Still wondering what the
dog wanted, he remounted his steed, and with his companion rode rapidly
on to an inn nearly twenty miles off, where they purposed passing the
night.
The dog, which had caught sight of the shilling as it was transferred to
the stranger's pocket, followed them closely, and watched the
sleeping-room into which they were shown. He must have observed them
take off their clothes, and seen the man who had taken possession of the
shilling hang his breeches over the back of a chair. Waiting till the
travellers were wrapped in slumber, he seized the garment in his mouth--
being unable to abstract the shilling--and bounded out of the window,
nor stopped till he reached his home. His master was awakened early in
the morning by hearing the dog barking and scratching at his door. He
was greatly surprised to find what he had brought, and more so to
discover not only the marked shilling, but a watch and purse besides.
As he had no wish that his dog should act the thief, or that he himself
should become the receiver of stolen goods, he advertised the articles
which had been carried off; and after some time the owner appeared, when
all that had occurred was explained.
The only way to account for the dog not at first seizing the shilling
is, that grateful for the assistance afforded him in removing the stone,
he supposed that the stranger was about to give him the coin, and that
he only discovered his mistake when it was too late. His natural
gentleness and generosity may have prevented him from attacking the man
and trying to obtain it by force.
Patiently and perseveringly follow up the line of duty which has been
set you. When I see a boy studying hard at his lessons, or doing his
duty in any other way, I can say, "Ah, he is searching for the marked
shilling; and I am sure he will find it."