The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

FROM A GOSHEN (N. Y.) PAPER.

Affection and Sagacity of the Dog.

We have heard of many incidents characteristic of the singular attachment of dogs to their masters, but none, which recommends him to protection and kind treatment more than the following, which may be relied on as true:

A person, living at the time, in the neighbourhood of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, became partially deranged, and during his fits of derangement, would seek every opportunity to take his own life. In consequence of this, every precaution was taken to prevent his being alone or out of sight. But one morning he contrived to elude the watchful vigilance of his wife and family, and made his escape with a razor in his possession. As soon as he was missing, the family with the dog, went in search of him. The dog soon separated from them, and no more was seen of him during the day. The search proved ineffectual, and at the close of the day they all returned home sorrowful, not doubting but that he had effected his object, and that he then lay a lifeless corpse, on the cold ground, in some sequestered spot—but no, he shortly after returned, in company with his faithful friend—and frankly acknowledged to his wife, that the dog alone had prevented him from committing suicide—that he went out with a fixed determination to put a period to his existence before his return—but that when he had found a convenient spot, and was on his knees, in the very act of lifting the razor to perform the dreadful deed, his watchful dog came running up, and clapping his paws on the uplifted arm, irresistibly held it from its murderous purpose—that many times during the day, he had repeated the attempt, with as little success, the dog remaining by his side, and jumping upon his arm at every motion; until at length he abandoned the design, and returned home, the dog sticking close by him, and watching every movement during the whole way.