Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1845-05-24
BURLINGTON, IOWA SATURDAY., MAY. "a, 1885,
From the London Punch.
The Dog Texas.

sssts From the London Punch.
b as The Dog Texas.
John Polk was put to the bar, charged
with robbing the Mexican Minister Of a
favorite dog, named Texas. The circum-
stances Of the case. Don Bernardo Murphy
stated to be these:-Some months since,
John Polk sold his Excellency the dog, Ga
very large animal, spotted black and white,
thatused to run under his carriage Sub
sequently fellow, named Huston, conn-
tryman Of Folks, who had been in his En-
cellency's service, absconded with the dog,
and he had that day seen it at Greenwich
fair, WHITTIER he had gone in company with
Chevalier Bunsen. The animal was tied
TO Q van belonging to the prisoner, and
fsom which he was harranguing and psalm
singing to the company at the fair. 49,
Policeman X, 2l, said-Please your
worship, there has been more picking OF
pockets round that ere psalm-singing van
than in any part OF. the fair.
Mr.. Aberdeen-S Silence, Policeman
What has that to de with the complainant?
The Mexican Minister continued, in a
very agitated manner, 81 instantly recog-
nlzed my dog. and gave the scoundrel yon-
der in charge Of a policeman"
"SccundreE" the prisoner cried, Ca very
sanctimonious looking fellow, who held the
dog in his arms-."Am / in Christian land
to hear myself called by such names? Are
we men? Are we brethren? Have We
blessings and privileges, or have we not9
come Of a country the most enlightened,
the most religious, the most freest, honest
est, pnnctuallest, on this airth, do"
Mr. Aberdeen, with profound bow -
You are an American, suppose?
Polk-I thank gracious mussy am!
| can appeal to every thing that is holy,
and, laying my hand onmy heart, declare l
am an honest man. scorn the accusation
that stole the complainant's dog. The dog
is my dog-mine by the laws of heaven,
airth, right, nature and possession.
Don Bernardo M,zphy, very much ag-
itated, here cried outflow yours? lean
swear to the animal. Ibought him Of you.
Polk-You did. It's true as I'm a free
born man.
Don Bernardo-A man who was an old
servant Of yours, comes into my service
and steals the dog.
Polka blessetler truth you never told
Don Bernardo find the animal
now again in your possession.
Polk (cuddling the dog )--Ycs, my old
dog-yes, my old Texas, it did like to come
back to its old master, it did.
Don Bernardo lin fury IL ask your
worship isn't this too monstrous.
Mr.. Aberdeen-You Excellency will
permit me to observe that we have not ye,
heard Mr.. Folks defence. In British
court, justice must be shown. and no favor
Polk-I scorn defence. The dog re.
turnedto me by lor Of natur. If solt
the dog, and by the irresistible attraction
Of cohesion, and the eternal order Of things
he comes to me, am to blame? It's mon.
strous, heinous, regular blasphemy to say
So.
Mr.. Aberdeen appeared deeply struck
by the latter observation.
\ Polk Continued. III didn't steal the
animal. Steal! Is a man Of my characte,
TO be called thiel9 annexed him--that' :
all. Resides, what jurisdiction has this
here cour,9 What authority has any court
on airth in question purely American:
Ny bargain with Don Bernardo Murphy
took place out Of this countryside dog
came back to me thousands of miles away
herefrom. ' s.
Mr.. Aberdeen.-In that case really
must dismiss the complaint. Allow me
to state my opinion, Mr.. Polk, that the dog
IS yours; have no business to inquire into
questions Of annexation as you cali it, OF
Of robbery, as his Excellency here Every
rudely, I must think, entities your bar
gain. entreat rather that gentlemen Sc
respectable should etogether inharmony;
and--and ! wish you both very good
morning.
Mr.. Polk then left the Office whistline
to his dog, and making signs Of contempt
at Don Bernardo Murphy, who skunk away
in cab. He had not been gone an hour
when Policeman X, II came into the office
and said, "Please your worship, the YAM
kee annexed your worship's Canadian walk.
ing-stick in the passage"
Mr.. Aberdeen (sternly. mind you,
own business, fellow, Mr.. Polk is perfect
ly welcome to the stick.
Presently another member of the force,
O'Regan by name, entered and swore the
incorrigiblc Polk had stolen his beaver hat
Mr.. Aberdeen ( good humoredly. Well,
well, | dare say the hat wasn't worth two
pence half-penny; and it's better to lose il
than to squabble about it at law.
O'Regan left the Court grumbling, and
said it wasn't 50 in Temples time.
The Augusta Constitutionalist describes
4 ~ .4N.