The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-06-04
TIE Gray Fri0s.s' DOG.

In the city in Edinburgh the old chapel
of the Gray Friar Monks stands in the
churchyard where some of Scotland's no.
blest sons and daughters are buried. Near
ly seven years ago man was buried in the
old churehyard. Among the mourners was
a small terrier dog. He laid himself down
on the grave of his master, and did not re-
tire when the funeral procession moved out
of the yard. The sexton saw the dog, and
left him to sleep on the newly made grave
till morning. Morning came, and the dog
was still at his place. When people walk
ed around his masters resting place he
paid no attention to them. But if one
visitor attempted to tread on the soil, to
him so sacred, the growl of the dog indi-
Gated his displeasure He would at once:
lily at the throat of person who did not
heed his growl. More than six years. in
cold and rain, in snow and storm, this at
iectionate animal has slept in Gray Friars'
churchyard on the grave of his master
All attempts to seduce him from, his chosen
bed have failed. On a dark and stormy
nights the kind sexton has tried to coax.
the dog from his cold couch, at least until
the storm had passed; but in vain. Once
or twice the dog has been fastened up in
eiO NOolly WuCll buC ItsiH DtdU NlOlcnGlV
but, on each occasion, the little fellow had
broken through the windows and made
his escape. At one time he was tied up
but he moaned so piteously, and howled so
terribly, that he was allowed to go out into
the tempest and lie down over the spot
where the friend he loved rested In his
narrow bed
No one knew where the dog came from,
nor who his master was. The name given
to him is "Gray Friars' Bobby"
Many things about this wonderful dog
are quite as marvellous as his remarkable
affection. The manner in which he lives,
how he counts time and numbers DAYS. ia
really quite marvellous. He goes out for
his breakfast at given hour each morn
ing. He has his morning meal at the same
place. A kind baker has fed him each,
morning for many years. At noon his din
ner comes from another place. Bobby re-
mains on the grave till the great gun of the
Castle booms out the hour of noon. He
then gets up and walks out of the church.
yard. He goes some blocks away. At the
restaurant of Mr.. John Trael the dog fihds
his dinner. Mr.. Trael has given Bobby a
good meal at midday for six years, and
will as long as he has crumb to spare, or
the dog needs one. The dog knows the
hour of twelve as well as any man in Scot
land.
Bobby has pantry near the grave, in
which he places what he does not wish to
eat at once. He hides his food under
tombstone. On Friday he saves part of
his dinner and hides it away in the pantry
On Saturday he also saves a part of his
dinner. Bobby can count. He knows
when Friday and Saturday arrive. He
never miscounts. Only on those two days
does he put away part of his food. He
knows tlat Sunday is coming. He knows
that Mr. Trael, his good friend, is also
friend of the Sabbath and will not keep
his shop open on that day, even to give
him dinner. If he does not save some
thing to eat, he will have to go hungry.
On Sunday Bobby does not leave the grave
of his master, The Castle gun sounds out
the midday hour on the Sabbath as it does
on other days of the week, but Bobby
does not stir. He hears it, as he always
does, but he knows that it is the Lords
day. He does not go forth to seek food.
He eats his frugal meal that he laid up on
Friday and Saturday, and keeps quiet all
day on the lonely grave of his master.