Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1875 — N. F. D. [ARTICLE]

N. F. D.

A Newfoundland dog of New York the other day did something to sustain the reputation of his race. He is a waterman’s dog, and was much attached to the waterman’s family—consisting of a wife and four children. The waterman and his family lived in a cabin aboard a ballast barge or scow which was lying at a pier in East River heavily loaded with stone. A steamer in landing struck the barge and turned it bottom upward in the water. The waterman’s wife, who was ill and weak, and her four little children and the dog were in the cabin. Presently N. F. I). appeared on the surface of the water with the woman in tow. He kept her afloat until she'was rescued in an insensible condition, but still alive. The dog took a view of the situation, and, not knowing how to return to the cabin, got out on the pier and howled most piteously. As soon as possible some men began to cut through the bottom of the barge into the cabin, and N. F. D.. was so deeplyinterested in the proceedings that he would not keep out of the ax’s way. He was therefore tied ashore while the work was in progress. He begged every one who came near, him piteously to lets him loose, evidently thinking that he had work to do which admitted of no delay. His actions were most intelligent and his state of mind betokened deep distress. At length the children were all taken out dead and placed one by one on the pier near thS dog. He showed inconsolable grief, and when loosened indicated no more inter est in the barge. The waterman himself was almost distracted over his great loss, and he and N. F. D. mourned and, moaned together on the wharf. The wife and mother was removed to a hospital. When her senses returned she seemed still oblivious of the accident, and„asked for her children. lor safety to her she was told they were well. She asked for her husband and the doctors were afraid of an interview which must undeceive her. She asked for N. F. D., hut it was thought he too might tell the sad story. So the poor woman was denied all her friends.—ST. Louie Republican. -