Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-04-11
anrenile Column.
THE HISTORY OF MY DOGS.
DooMArrc SERMON FOR YOUNG EARS, ny nEcro

Ou tuiS w cuntstihy hioihih6, NhSh o"A |,
English terrier was called in to get his meal, :,
at the side of the dominie's chair, something \
was said, by one at the table, of the former r
occupants of the household kennel. Tender 9
recollections arose of canine pets, either dead d
or alive, or consigned to other hands, We /
honored their names with kind words, rather ,
than with libations, and it seemed to me that 4
they were more kindly treated in their {
memory, than many of the human family ]
who have been cured with self-sceking, ne ,
glecting friends, or cruel children. AT any |
rate the faults of the 'scanines" were buried,
and their useful qualities alone dwelt upon.
1t was not necessary to do less or more than
this, for dogs, in their simplicity of nature,
unlike men, deserve always, think, to have
the bonuna spoken of them and not merely
the veruns, as do too many of those who
treat the noble animals as if they could not
teach the lesson of being honest, faithful, af-
fectionaie, and contented. But all this does
not bring my young friends to the history OF
my six dogs
The first dog introduced in my mendge,
was native of South America. He came
from the mouth of the Rio de Ia Plata. Of
his origin, know nothing. 1t would have
been hard for dog-fancier to discover in
him any "points, and, met by perplexity,
the professional eye would, doubtless, have
assigned him to the large class of ''mongrels.
But, whatever his status in the dog-world,
| he had his good qualities, and among these
I may mention the sharpness of tone with
which he would greet strange faces, and his
readiness to obey when commanded. No
soldier is more ready to follow orders than
was "Sport" He would come and go at the
first and slightest signal of finger or tongue.
He was a good sailor besides, for, on his
voyage to the great Republic, in the big ship
Ed,Oard, he defed Neptunes fiercest assaults
on his stomach, and was ever alert to appre-
ciate his rations. 1t was not more than
few days after our arrival in Philadelphia,
that, as my father and were walking up
Third-street, we were astonished at seeing
Sport in q lime-bed. Being something new
to his nose, (for in his father-land, mud was
substitute or enticed by the snow-like
heap, or perhaps, for moment indulging
fancy that it was large mass of syllabub, in
: the dog had plunged, only to get out in tre-
ble- quick time, and rub his saturated and
, smarting back against the folds Of ladys
silk dress. My reader may imagine the fem
mime glance, as well as the owners conster-
nation; but, somehow or other, apologies
were offered and received, and left assured
o that no one else would suffer, as our four
legged companion had an experience that day
IS which, dearly bought, would do for the res
" of his life Sport lived some nine years at
ter, and was never known to leap where HI
-, he had not made careful reconnaissance
- So old and enfeebled did he become, that il
was finally resolved to end his miserable day
by depositing him in the river, land so, ,withou
a requiem, he soon sank to the bottom of tn
~ silent stream. Though "not drum wa
heard nor funeral note" breathed, yet re
es prets for his end were numerous, while hi
r memory remains fresh.
1t was several years after the death
IN Sport, that "Prince" was installed in hi
a place. This animal was gift from poo
man to whom had rendered attention an
he aid. Prince was an unframed pointer, an
ID was of gentle blood for his looks and all hi
ways spoke of exalted ancestors. To til
70 hearth he was an important ornament. Fl
,s would lie there in the most graceful posture'
his coat long, glossy, and smooth; whil'
occasionally, when looked at, his tail woul
81 wag many thanks for the privilege of b
''' ing so near the fire, granted to but few
his race, and so coveted by legions of kicl
Ia ed tongue-abused, and shivering ours. The
IKE the childred loved Prince. They called hi
"Prinny," and would roll with him, and de
W. and little ones whiled away many hapl
,us hour. But it was our misfortune to 10
Prince, not very long after our very pleasa
of acquaintance began. Once, at a distan
The from home, he turned wrong corner OF t
busy city and was seen and heard of on MOI
The loss was severely felt, and, if aliy
v, " were he to come back this day, he would !
'ia' ceive hearty, loving welcome.
.Rover succeeded Prince. But SO sna
oi- pish was this infantile cur, so indisposed
'ne be petted. and SO fond ofbeing under chai
;" Gas to show his teeth when removed)that
mo- could not plant himself in our regards.
was was soon after his advent that we thought
consigning him to other hands. But
49,. departure was hastened by his own imp
No. dence. Having talent for subterrane
investigations, (may be, he was somethi
of rat-ter-rier) we were compelled to hf
en- him fished out wells on two occasions, O
''eh so, to save ourselves expense, anxiety, q
yexation, he received an early discharges
and became the property of Tom Taylor
xe it Waterloo veteran. So much for city do
In the country we first had a fine bes
ANS. something of stag-hound, if | remem
rs so rightly. His proportions were large,
J. pleasing. His head massive, and OF
Tho mastiff order But however large his bo
ar 10 and serious his eye, yet his bosom was
home of neither anger nor revenge.
giant in limb, he was lamb in dispositi
opeu Unframed, still he was knowing, and Fl
iof this fact, doubtless, his former mast
'oou' relative and valued friend of mine) had gi
ater- him the name of &c Gelehote, or "learr
'ourd dog, as the German word might be tn
lated. His name was usually supposed
lg in strangers, to have been taken from the
4, ac- ballad of Lewellyn and Galert, "but,w
i'd for ever his name, he was feared beyond
household. The big mouth, well fort
, now by dental columbiads, with the solemn
'rovi- made all incomers very shy of his acqu'
a the ance. For this, we would not have
him to another home, but he had pecr
,e,,ed ty that made him troublesome. He W
,f the jump sometimes very high. No fence see
,rence to dampen his gymnastic ambition.
bars opposed him as little as three, an
he was continually in strange yards,
W . breaking, in his weighty descent froi
U con- Alpine leap, some cherished hot or flt
!" u.s. bed. As those who tried to live b.
o''' golden rule, we thought this would nev'
o set and hence, family council was had,
Wards both parents and children acquiesced il
ethren necessity of his resignation, as guardi