The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
Children's literature
Later on, for some reason known to himself, Carlo transferred his
special allegiance to Co. K. and maintained close connection with
that company until the end of his term of service. He was regarded
by its members as a member of the company mess, and was treated as
one of them. But, notwithstanding his special attachments, there
can be no reasonable doubt about his having considered himself a
member of the regiment, clothed with certain powers and
responsibilities. At the end of his term he was fitted with a
uniform--trousers, jacket, and fez, and, thus dressed, he marched
up Broadway, immediately behind the band. He was soon after
mustered out of the service, and received an honorable discharge,
not signed with written characters, but attested by the good-will
of every member of the regiment.
A BRAVE DOG
By Sir Samuel W. Baker
When I was a boy, my grandfather frequently told a story concerning
a dog which he knew, as a more than ordinary example of the
fidelity so frequently exhibited by the race. This animal was a
mastiff that belonged to an intimate friend, to whom it was a
constant companion. It was an enormous specimen of that well-known
breed, which is not generally celebrated for any peculiar
intelligence, but is chiefly remarkable for size and strength. This
dog had been brought up by its master from puppyhood, and as the
proprietor was a single man, there had been no division of
affection, as there would have been had the dog belonged to a
family of several members. Turk regarded nobody but his owner. (I
shall now honour Turk by the masculine gender.)
Whenever Mr. Prideaux went out for a walk, Turk was sure to be near
his heels. Street dogs would bark and snarl at the giant as his
massive form attracted their attention, but Turk seldom
condescended to notice such vulgar demonstrations; he was a
noble-looking creature, somewhat resembling a small lioness; but
although he was gentle and quiet in disposition, he had upon
several occasions been provoked beyond endurance, and his attack
had been nearly always fatal to his assailants. He slept at night
outside his master's door, and no sentry could be more alert upon
his watch than the faithful dog, who had apparently only one
ambition--to protect, and to accompany his owner.
Mr. Prideaux had a dinner-party. He never invited ladies, but
simply entertained his friends as a bachelor; his dinners were but
secondary to the quality of his guests, however, who were always
men of reputation either in the literary world, or in the modern
annals of society. The dog Turk was invariably present, and usually
stretched his huge form upon the hearth-rug.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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