Martinsburgh Gazette

Fidelity of a dog.—In a village between Caen and Vire on the borders of a district called the Grove, there dwelt a peasant of a surly untoward temper, who frequently beat and abused his wife, insomuch that the neighbours were sometimes obliged, by her outcries to interpose in order to prevent further mischief. Being at length weary of living with one whom he always hated he resolved to get rid of her. He pretended to be reconciled, altered his behaviour and on holidays invited her to walk with him into the fields for pleasure and recreation. One summer evening, after a very hot day he carried her to cool and repose herself on the borders of a spring in a place very shady and solitary. He pretended to be very thirsty. The clear-ness of the water tempted him to drink. He laid himself down all along upon his belly and swilled large draughts of it, highly commending the sweetness of the water urging her to refresh herself in like manner. She believed him and followed his example. As soon as he saw her in that posture, he threw himself upon her, and plunged her head into the water, in order to drown her. She struggled hard for her life, but could not have prevailed but for the resistance of a dog who used to follow and was fond of her and never left her: he immediately flew at the husband and seized him by the throat, and made him let go his hold, and saved the life of his mistress.