A FAITHFUL DOG AND HIS NOBLE MASTER.

White Ribbon, Volume 30, Issue 356, 18 March 1925, Page 10

A FAITHFUL DOG AND HIS NOBLE MASTER.

A most heroic story comes from the snow-clad slopes of distant Alaska, and the hero of the story is one of the much expected messengers of Father Christmas. Away in the interior of that bleak land, at a place that has the comforting name of Hot Springs, is an orphanage, where fatherless children from far around are brought up in happiness. Naturally, kind folks felt in their hearts the Christmas needs of those youngsters, living where few of the joys of Christmas would reach them, for the only method of approach was a seventy-mile sledge journey with as dog team. Who would brave the blast through that dreary seventy miles and appear as Father Christmas in their midst? The volunteer for this trying journey was Father Ruppert, a devoted Roman Catholic priest. With a stout heart, th good father set out gaily, carrying Joy with him in many a mysterious packet, for the orphanage party was fifty strong. Put Father Ruppert did not arrive at the orphanage. His team of dogs was strong and fresh enough to face the dangers of the way; but there Is a hidden danger in any team of fresh dogs rejoicing in their strength an' 1 freedom. They need strong and fin., management. Especially they need strong and firm control when they come within sight or scent of big game, which they delight to hunt. Exactly what happened with Father Ruppert’s team no one knows. One can only guess. That something had gone sadly wrong was felt when the dogs arrived singly at a lonely settlement At last the story was completed b” ‘' arrival at Father Rupperts startingpoint of an Eskimo who had made his way there to bring the sad news. The coming in of the stray dogs, one h' one. caused a s-areh party to set out. The search was not long, for only foomiles away from the stormbound or nhanace the overturned s’edge w*s dJcovered, and hv it lav the dead body o r

the messenger. He was no* alone for hv him. to the on 1 an 1 was the |oadlr>£T daprnortf.. pf ♦pom. M’rd' k~e’v vo--o’>‘V O*ooft'r»cr cr"rt nyor h* ( ' dpo-’ f-’nr*d tm th»*eotrTv d thr* pf pn errs A sad story truly, hut what a

tale of heroism and noble sense of duty in a man and dog, the oldest friendship on earth! Sorrow and pride mingle equally in so great a story- Perhaps if such things did not happen, we should not know how great a human life can be.—From “The Children’s Newspaper.”