THE DOG. 



The merchant and his dog. 



at full gallop to the place where he had stopped. 

 He saw, with half-averted eyes, the scene where 

 the tragedy was acted-; he perceived the traces 

 of 'blood. as he proceeded; he was oppressed and 

 distracted; but in vain did he look for his dog 

 he was not to be seen on the road. At last he 

 arrived at the spot where he had alightexl. But 

 what were his sensations! His heart was readv 

 to bleed; he execrated himself in the madness 

 of despair. The poor dog, unable to follow his 

 dear, but cruel master, had determined to conse- 

 crate his last moments to his service. He had 

 crawled, all -bloody as he was, to the forgotten 

 bag, and, in the agonies of death, he lay watch- 

 ing beside -it. When he saw his master, he still 

 testified his joy by the wagging of his .tail he 

 could do no more he tried -to rise, but his 

 strength was gone. The vital tide was -ebbing 

 fast; even the caresses of his master could not 

 prolong his fate for a few moments. He stretched 

 out his tongue, to lick the hand that was now 

 fondling him in the agonies of regret, as if to seal 

 forgiveness of the deed that had deprived him of 

 life. He then cast a look of kindness on his 

 master, and closed his eyes for ever." 



A few days before the overthrow of the dread- 

 ful Robespierre^ a revolutionary tribunal, in one 

 of the departments of the North, had condemned 

 Monsieur R. an ancient magistrate, and a most 

 estimable man, on pretence of finding him 

 guilty of a conspiracy. This gentleman had* 

 L 2 



