The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-21
A Faithful Dog,

The Edinburgh Scotsman says: "a very sin
gular and interesting occurrence was yeseT-
day brought to light in Burgh Court by the
hearing OF summons in regard TO dog tax
Eight years aud a half ago man named Gray,
OF whom nothing is known except that he lived
IN quiet way in some obscure part OF lne
town, was buried in old Greyiriars ehuich-
yard. His grave, levelled by the hand OF eliie
and unmarked by any stone, IS now s s.s.t
discernible; but though no human IhoeIcSo
would seem to attach to 1T, the sacreo spoV Mas
not been wholly disregarded anu lorSolteh;
During all these years the dead man lai'iini
dog has kept constant watch aiu suI 49,, o ".
the grave, and it was this animal for winch the
collectors souoht to recover the tax. James
Brown the old curator of the burial ground
remembers Gray's funeral, and the dog,
Scotch terrier, was, he says, one OF the most
CONSPICUOUS of the mourners. The grave was
closed in as usual, and next morning, Bobby,
rs the dog is called, was found lying ON tie
newly made mound. This was an innovation
which old James could not permit, for there
was an order at the gate stating in the most
Ineligible characters, that dogs were not adj
mitted. Bobby was accordingly driven out;
but next morning he was there again, and for
the second time he was discharged The third
morning was cold and wet, and when the Old
man saw the faithful animal, in spite of all
chastisement, still lying shivering on the grave,
he took pity on him and gave him some food.
This recognition of his devotion gave Bob
by the right to make the churchyard his home;
ana 1TOm tLssC TIME TO Ino present he mas never
spent night away from his masters grave
Often in bad weather attempts have been made
to keep him within doors, but by dismal howIS
he has succeeded in making it known that this
interference is not agreeable to him, and lat
terly he has always been allowed to have his
way. At almost any time during the day he
may be seen in or about the churchyard; and
no matter how rough the night may be nothing
can induce him to forsake the hallowed spot,
whose identity, despite the irresistible oblitef-
alton it has undergone, he has faithfully
preserved. Bobby has many friends and the
taxgatherers have by no means proved his en-
emies. A weekly treat of steaks was long al
lowed by Sergeant Scott OF the Engineers; but
for more than six years he has been regularly
fed by Mr.. John Trail of the restaurant,
Greyfriars' place. He is constant and punctG-
al in his calls, being guided in his mid day WIS.,
its by the sound of the time gun.
On the ground of 'harboring' the dog in this
way proceedings were taken against Mi. Trail
for paymeet of the tax. The defendant eX-
pressed his willingness, could he claim the dog,
to be responsible for the tax; but so long as
the animal refused to attach himself to any
one, it was impossible, he argued, to fix the
ownership--and the Court, seeing the peculiar
circumstance of the case, dismissed the sum-
mons. Bobby has long been an object of GU
riosity to all who have become acquainted with
his interesting history. His constant appear
ahce in the graveyard has caused many IN
quiries to be made regarding him, and efforts
out of number have been made from time 10
time to get possession of him. The old cur;l-
tor of course, was the next claimant to Mr.
Trail, and yesterday offered to pay the tax
himself rather than have 'Bobby'-'Greyfriars
Bobby to allow his full name-put out of the
way"