The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-06-02
A Faithful Dog.


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A Faithful Dog.
The Edinburg Scotsman says: ga
very singular and interesting occur
renee was recently brought to light
in the Burgh Court, by the hearing
of summons in regard to q dog
tax. Eight and half years ago, q
man name5 Gray, of whom nothing
is known, except that he lived in q
quiet way IN some obscure part of
the town, was buried in Old Grey
friars' Church-yard. His grave, level
ed by the hand of time, and un-
marked by any stone, is now scarcely
discernible; but though no human
interest would seem to attach it.,
the sacred spot has not been wholly
disregarded and forgotten. During
all these years, the dead mans faith
full dog has kept constant watch and
guard over the grave, and it was
this animal for which the collectors
sought to recover the tax. James
Brown, the old curator of the burial
ground, remembers Gray's funeral,
and the dog, Scoth terrier, was, he
says, one of the most conspicuous of
the mourners. The grave was closed
in rs usual, and the next morning,
Bobby as the dog is called, was
found lying on the newly made
mound. This was an innovation
which old James could not permit,
Tor there was an order at the gate,
stating in the most Ineligible cha
racters, that dogs were not admitted.
Bobby was accordingly driven out;
but next morning he was there
again, and for the second time 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 Bobby the right to make the
church-yard his home; and from
that time to the present, he has never
spent night away from his masters
grave. Often in bad weather at
tempts have been made to keep him
within doors, but by dismal howls
he has succeeded in making it known
that this interference is not agreeable
to him, and latterly he has always
been allowed to have his way. At
almost any time during the day
he may be seen in OF about the
church-yard; and no matter how
rough the night may be, nothing can
induce him to forsake the hallowed
spot, whose identity, despite the
irresistible obliteration it has under
gone, he has faithfully preserved.
Bobby has many friends, and the
x-gatherers have by no means
proved his enemies. A weekly treaty
of steaks was allowed by Sergeant
Scott, of the Engineers; but fol
more than six years he has been re-
gularly fed by Mr.. John Trail, OF
the restaurant, 6 Greyfriars' place.
He is constant and punctual in his
calls, being guided in his midday
visits by the sound of the time gun.
"On the ground of 'harboring
the dog in this way proceedings were
taken against Mr.. Trail for payment
of the tax. The defendant expressed
his willingness, could he claim the
dog, to be responsible for the tax
but SO long as the animal refused tc
attach himself to any one, it wa!
impossible, he argued, to fix til,
ownership-and the court, seeing
the peculiar circumstances, of th'
case, dismissed the summons. Bob
by has long been an object of curl
osity to all who have become ac
quainted with his interesting history
His constant appearance in tn,
graveyard has caused many inquire
to be made regarding him, anc
efforts out of number have beer
made from time to time to get pos
session of him. The old curator, O
course, was the next claimant to Mr.
Trail, and yesterday offered to pa,
the tax himself rather than hay,
Bobby 'Greyfriars Bobby, to al
low him his full name-put out 0
the way"
A LITTLE MORE CIDER.-A youn,