A Dog Yarn.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6706, 20 November 1889, Page 1

A Dog Yarn.

Says a Philadelphian Inquirer correspondent :— A large crowd of people attracted my attention about six o'clock one evening on Main Btreet, Johnstown. On going closer I noticed that a number of men and women were surrounding a dog, on which each and ■ every one of the crowd was anxious to | lavish attentions and endearing terms more [-appropriately bestowed upon a favourite child than upon an animal. " Come here, Borneo, my noble old dog I" said one woman. "Give me a kiss; there is a dear." "Ah, Borneo," said another, "it was a pity Johnstown had not more such noble creatures as you are, here now." The dog, a beautiful water spaniel, whose fur was clipped so as to give him the appearance of a miniature lion, etood as quiet and dignified among the people as if he understood every word addressed to [ him, taking the evidences of appreciation as matters of course, which he had every right to expect. Soon I understood what it all meant. > Romeo belonged to Mrs C. P.. Kress, of Washington street, Johnstown. The day tho flood-gates of the South Pork reservoir broke loose, that lady went to tho house oE her sister, Mrs A. C. Kross, on Main Btreet, taking the dog with her. While there the awfully disastrous waters came sweeping down upon them from Conemaugh, so that all the people in the house were compelled to get upon the roof. There were seven in the party, and Borneo made a good eighth. But soon the terrible waves and floating dart's raised horrible havoc with the buildings. Suddenly a big wave dashed- upon the roof. Mrs C. P. Krea3 was knocked off her place of refuge and rapidly floated along with the wild stream. No human being attempted to jump after her or make any effort for her rescue, because the surging flood had already dragged her beyond all human reach. But Borneo, the lady's dog, forgetful of his own danger, had, apparently, been expecting what was coming. The waters had no more than closed above the sinking lady when the dog jumped after her, and when her dresa appeared again above the surface he immediately grasped it between his teeth. It was a heavy burden, but the animal seemed to make a double effort. Holding the dress in his mouth he gently but firmly pushed her forward through the watera towards a frame house, which was still defying the waves. Borneo's noble efforts proved successful, and in a few moments Mrs Kress was able to lay hold of one of the spars on the frame house and drag herself into comparative safety. "But, alas! it was only temporary safety. Even before the woman had realised her escape the devastating waves came mountains high, rushing against the frame house. This time the building could not withstand- With a terrific crash the -wooden walla Beamed to be bursting apart, and once more the woman and her dog were at the mercy of the flood. The noble brute, however, was not to be daunted. Again he clung to his mistress very closely, not as if he would rescue her from a watery grave, but as if his whole life depended upon her safety. Constantly swimming by her side white she was borne upon the current, he contrived to keep her head above water so aa to prevent her from drowning. For over half-an-hour the dog battled with the waves for her preservation. His noble, faithful endurance was at last rewarded. He-succeeded in directing bis valued burden towards Alma Hall, and here Mrs KreßS was pulled out of the water. As she reached the roof unconsciousness overcame her, and daring all that time Borneo, who seemed to think the woman dead, barked and howled in the most frantic manner: Only her returning breath pacified him, and then he quietly and contentedly lay down at her feet. This was the story gleaned from the people surrounding the dog, and when I called to see Mrs Kress at her sister's home ahe verified every particular of the above.