Rab was a huge mastiff, "old, gray, brindled, as big as a little
Highland bull," fierce, kind-hearted, and faithful. He belonged to a
carrier, or what we would call an expressman--a thin, impatient,
dark-haired little man, to whom Rab was entirely submissive. Dr. Brown
being fond of dogs, had formed quite a friendship with this one, which
dated back to the doctor's boyhood, when, seeing Rab attacked by a
savage little bull-terrier, which was madly trying to fight whatever
came in its way, he stepped up to Rab and cut the muzzle which prevented
the great creature from defending himself. Six years after this, when
the doctor was a young medical student, there came a procession to the
hospital one afternoon in October. In at the large gate walked Rab, with
"that great and easy saunter of his. He looked as if taking general
possession of the place, like the Duke of Wellington entering a subdued
city, satiated with victory and peace." After him came the old white
mare Jess, drawing the carrier's cart, in which Ailee, the carrier's
wife, was seated, her husband not driving, but walking at the mare's
head, and leading her carefully along.
There is no _genre_ sketch in the English language which is finer than
the description of Ailee Noble and her husband James. His plaid was
about her. His big coat was carefully tucked around her feet. She had a
sweet pale face, with silvery hair, and dark gray eyes, "eyes full of
suffering, and full of the overcoming of it." He had a swarthy,
weather-beaten countenance, shrewd and keen. She was like a delicate
snow-drop in her unworldliness and purity. She was the victim of a
dreadful malady, a cancer in her breast, and only the surgeon's knife
could cure it. In those days--nearly sixty years ago--chloroform was
unknown as a blessed relief from pain. Ailee was put to bed for that
night, and the faithful husband and dog watched by her side. The dog
reminded Dr. Brown, oddly enough, in his size and dignity, of a famous
Baptist preacher, Andrew Fuller, with his look of sombre command, as "of
thunder asleep, but ready." Next day the operation was performed. The
beautiful old woman bore it with perfect patience and silence; and when
it was over, the surrounding students, though accustomed to see people
suffer, wept like children. The husband "happed" her up, and carried her
to her room again, Rab following.
"I'll hae nane o' yer strynge nurse bodies for Ailee, Maister John,"
said James. "I'll be her nurse, an' I'll gang aboot on my stockin' soles
as canny as pussy."
For several days she seemed to do well under his kind care. Then she
grew worse, wandered in her mind, thought she had in her arms her "wee
Mysie, forty years and mair" in heaven; at last came to herself, said
"James," and with a long loving look for him, a glance for the kind
young doctor, and one for Rab, then another satisfied gaze into her
husband's face, she shut her eyes, and fell asleep in death.
There is little more to tell. Poor James did not long survive his wife.
By the fall of the first snow, the two were in the same grave. Rab was
taken by the carrier who succeeded to the business, but he would not
eat, he would not leave the stable where old Jess was kept, nor would he
let his new master come near him. At last that master had to kill him.
"I was laith to mak awa wi' th' auld dowg," said this man, "but I could
doe naething else."
And says our author: "I believed him. Fit end for Rab. His teeth and his
friends gone, why should he keep the peace and be civil?"
* * * * *
Marie G. Hamblin proposes that the boys and girls who read YOUNG PEOPLE
shall emulate Secretary Blaine, and learn to repeat in their order the
names of the sovereigns of England, and the dates of their respective
coronations. She suggests that all who do so shall send their names,
accompanied by the signatures of their parents or teachers, to the
Postmistress, that the Editor of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE and Dr. Vincent
may know that they are trying to acquire useful knowledge. The
Postmistress approves of the plan, and gives the remainder of 1881 as
the time in which all who wish may endeavor to thus exercise their
memories. The names of the diligent students will be duly printed in
this column.
* * * * *
Many persons erroneously think that a letter if left unsealed will be
sent by the Post-office Department for one cent. They write their
letter, leave it open, and affix a one-cent stamp to the envelope. In
all such cases the recipient is compelled to pay the additional postage.
And while this may not be an affair of great importance to an individual
who receives an occasional letter, it involves a large expenditure when,
as in the case of Harper & Brothers, letters are received by the
thousands weekly.
Full letter postage is at the rate of three cents per every half ounce
in America. Letters to Europe cost five cents per half ounce. Little
readers will please remember this, and remind their elders, if they
forget it.
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