Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

A dreadful tragedy occurred at Wellesley, La., on the 23d ult. The collector of taxes was compelled to leave his wife and young family alone, over night, while absent on business. The lady knowing that there was considerable money in the house, sent for some of the family of a neighboring blacksmith to stay at the house. Her request was gruffly refused, but a peddler who passed by in the dusk of the evening, consented to allow his dog to remain as a protector.
In the night, the lady was awakened by a disturbance, and on entering the room where the dog was left, she found the animal drawing a man by the throat through the window. The neighbors were alarmed, and, on examination, it was found that the robber, her neighbor the blacksmith, was quite dead.