A NOBLE DOG.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IX, Issue 2840, 2 March 1885, Page 4

A NOBLE DOG.

Stories illustrating the intelligence and devotion of .dogs are common enough, yet there is one related in the Courier des Etats TJnis, which affords such a striking proof of both qualities that it merits attention. The animal which is the hero of it is a Newfoundland named Hecker. His home was an hotel near New York, and his particular friend the porter of the hotel. The latter was in the deplorable habit of getting drunk nightly,.and it is presumed that whilst in this condition he involuntarily Bet fire to his lodge. In any case, Hecker, perceiving in the dead of the night smoke arising from the room he slept in, barked loudly to awaken the porter, and finding that the man was not aroused by this, he climbed on to the bed pulled him by the ears, allowing him no peace until he became conscious of the danger. He was too drunk to save himself ; so Hecker laid hold of him, dragged him into the street, and then returned to the hotel, now in flames, to save or warn others. Having roused the master of the house and several of the inmates, and. seeing them in safety, the heroic animal returned again to his task, brought onfc an infant between his teeth, dragged its mother, in a swoon, down the staircase, performed several ether noble deeds, and then was seen no more. In the confusion and excitement, in fact, the fate of Hecker was not thought of by any of those he had helped to escape. His charred remains were afterwards discovered in the ruins, and he was interred with befitting honor, all who had witnessed his splendid conduct following him to the grave.