ONLY A SHEPHERD'S DOG.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 28 August 1912, Page 7

ONLY A SHEPHERD'S DOG.

The late Miss Florence Nightingale, whose name is known all over the •world for her heroic work in nursing the soldiers during the terrible Crimean war, began her calling very early, and her first patient was-r-a shepherd's dog! Some rough boys had thrown a stone at the poor dog, and its owner decided to kill it, as its sufferings seemed so great. But little Florence Nightingale then came on the scene, and by petting and soothing the poor animal she got it to allow the vicar to examine its right leg, which was badly injured.

"Well," said that gentleman, rising from his examination,. 'so far as I can tell there are no broken bones; the leg is badly bruised—it ought to be fomented to take the inflammation and spelling down.

"How do you foment?" asked Florence.

"With hot cloths dipped in boiling water," answered the vicar.

"Then that's quite easy; I'll stay here and do it. Now, Jimmy, get some sticks and make the kettle boil."

"But they will be expecting you at home," said the vicar.

"Not if you tell them I am here," answered Florence; 'and my sister and one of the maids can come and fetch me home in time for tea; and"—she hesitated—"they had better bring some old flannel and cloths—there does

not seem to be much here; but you will wait and show me how to foment, won't you?"

"Well, yes," said the vicar, carried away by. the quick energy of the little girl.

And soon the fire was lit and tne water boiling. An old smock frock of the shepherd's had been discovered in a corner. This Florence had deliberately torn to pieces to steep in the hot water and apply to the dog's leg, and to the vicar's remark, "What will Roger say?" she answered, "We'll give him another." And so Florence Nightingale spent the whole of that bright spring day nursing her first patient—the shepherd's dog.

In the evening, when Roger, the shepherd, came, not expecting to find visitors in his humble cottage, and dangling a bit of cord in his hand, Florence went up to him.

"You can throw that away, Roger," sho said; 'jour do? won't die; look at him."

And Cap rose and crawled towards his master, whining with pleasure.

"Deary me! deary me! what have you done with him? He could not move this morning when I left him." Then Florence told Roger, and explained the mode of treatment, showing him how the bandages were applied.

"You have only to go on to-night, and to-morrow he will be almost well, the vicar says "

"Thank you kindly, missy, i do, indeed, said the old man huskily. "It went hard with me to do away with him; but what can a poor man do.

And putting out his hand he stroked the dog "111 see to him, missy, now as I know what's to be done"; and he stood his crook in tho corner and hung his cap on the peg.

Then Florence took her leave, stroking and pstting the dog to' the last, and those who, standing in the cottage door, watched her disappear, little thought they were gazing upon one whose mission would be to tend the sick and wounded on many a battlefield, and how, in years to come, men dying far away from home would raise themselves in gratitude upon their "pillows to "kiss her shadow as it passed."