Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-12-03
A FAITHFUL DOG,

The Edinburg Scotspias says IA very singular
and interesting occurrence was yesterday brought
to light in the Burgh Court, By the hearing 9f the
summons in regard to dog tax Eight and hat
years ago man named Gray. of whom nothing is
known, except that he lived ina quiet way in sotae
obscure part Of the town, was buried ID Old Grey
friar's Churchyard. His grave leveled BY the
hand Of. time, and unmarked By any Stone, Is now
scarcely discernible; but though no. human inter.
est would seem TO attach to it. the sacred spot has
Mt been wholly diaegarded and forgotten. Du.
ring all these years thedead man faitnl dogh has
kept constant wateh and guard osar the gaiisss gisss,
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 fu-
neral, 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, as the dog is called, was found lying on
the 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 inteligi
bic characters, that dogs were not admitted. Bob
BY was accordingly driven out; but next morning
he was there again, and for the second time WA
discharged. The third morning was cold and vet,
and when the old man ssw the faithful animal, in
spite of all chastisewent still lying shivering on
the grave, he took pity on him, and gave him some
food '.ea'- ~ ar..' t.t u .
'This recognition Of his devotion Hgsye Bobby
the right to make the ehurchyard his home; and
from that time to the present he has never spent
q night away from his masters grave. Often in
bad weather attempts have been madeto keep him
within doors, but by dismal howls be has succeed
ed 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 du-
ring 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 hal
lowed spot, whose identity, despite the irresistible
obliteration it has undergone he has so faithfully
Bobby has many friends, and the
tax -gatherers have by no means proved his enemies
A weekly treat of steaks Was long allowed by Ser
geant Scott, of the Engineers; but for more than
six years he has been regularly fed by Mr.. John
Trail, of the restaurant, 6 Grayfnar's 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.. Tail for
the paymentof the tax. Thedefendant expressed
his willingness, could he claim the dog to be re-
sponshe for the tax but 30 long as the animal re-
fused to attach himself to any one, it was impos-
sible, he argued, to fix the ovnership-and the
court, seeing the peculiar circumstances of the
case, dismissed the summons. Bobby has long
been an object of curiosity to all who have become
acquainted with his interesting history. His con-
slant appearance in the grave yard has caused.
many inquiries to be made regarding him, and ef.
forts out of number have been made, from time to-
time to get possession Of him. The old curator,
Of course, was the next claimant to Mr. Trail and
offered to pay the tax himself rather than have,
'Bobby'-'Grayfriar Bobby, to allow him his full
name-put ont Of the way"