Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

A few days before the overthrow of Robespierre, a revolutionary tribunal had condemned to death am ancient magistrate who was a most estimable man. His faithful dog, a Water Spaniel, was with him when he was seized; but was not suffered to enter the prison. He took refuge with a neighbor of his master’s, and every day at the same hour, returned to the door of the prison, vainly seeking admittance. At last his fidelity so won upon the jailer, that he allowed him to enter. The meeting may better be imagined than described. The jailer, however, fearful for himself, carried the dog out of the prison but admitted him the next morning and each day afterwards. When the day of the sentence arrived, the dog in spite of the guards made his way into the hall, where he lay crouched between the legs of his master. At the place of execution the faithful dog was also present; the knife of the guillotine fell, but he would not leave the lifeless body. For two days afterwards his new patron sought him in vain; but, at length, found him stretched upon his master’s grave. From this time every morning, for three months, the mourner returned to his protector, merely to receive food, and then again retreated to the grave. At the end of that time he refused food; his patience seemed exhausted, and for twenty-four hours he was observed to employ his weakened limbs in digging up the earth that separated him from the being he had served. His powers, however, here gave way; he shrieked in his struggles, and, at length, ceased to breathe, with his last look upon the grave.