Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-14
Miseellat1eons.
The Dog that Stood on His Dignity.
BY Mrs. II. G. GARDNER.


And if Bruno had belonged to us, fear
that we never should have priced him as
he deserved, for we had been terribly
frightened about mad dogs when we were
children, and so had grown up with
most unreasonable dread of the whole
canine race.
When | left my careless girlhood be-
hind, tried hard to leave my cowardicc
with it, but to this day, am only coura-
geous in streaks where dogs are con-
cefned. Bruno was a great shaggy,
black dog, as big as a calf six weeks old.
He was kept as a watch dog in large
store, and when our home fell to us in the
rooms over said store, he seemed to think
that he had us also in his charge.
The people before us had made much of
him; inviting him up stairs, letting the
baby ride on his back, or 90 to sleep with
him on the floor, and treating him to a
taste of all the nice tidbits that were
brought into the house. Of course he
soon concluded that he had the freedom
of the place.
He had such large, pleasant eyes, SO full
OF benevOlence and of fun too, that it is
mystery how could help liking him. But
if he had been lion or "a big bear, could
not have been more nearly scared to death
than | was the day OF our arrival, when
looking up from basket of dishes that
was unpacking, saw his huge form in
the doorway. Over went basket, and
with marvellous spring went over the
basket, clear into the adjoining room,
where | shut the door with bang, locked
it and then screamed for dear life Just
then, some one out of doors whistled
cheerily, and the monstrous fellow went
bouncing down the stairs, to my great re-
lief.
l saw no more of him that day, but the
next morning he paid me visit. had
just placed the gridiron over nice bed of
Goals, and held in my hand plateful of
juicy steak, cut for broiling when heard
a painting sound close to me, and looking
round there stood Bruno with his great
open mouth nearly on a level with my
shoulder
was too frightened to scream or to run
away. My first thought was the necessity
OF coaxing rather than fighting, if haply
l might escape with my life.
Trembling held out to him bit of raw
meat. The immense jaws gave one snap,
and the bit vanished. Another and anoth-
er followed until only tiny mosel remain
ed for my husbands breakfast. Could I
al steps backward toward the door, and
Bruno, alas! had been taught to speak for
what he wanted. and now, with one eve
on the remnant in the dish, he tipped his
head backward-spoke. That was enough.
| threw him the meat in despair, just man
aging, as | did so, to get out of the room.
l don't think my husband particularly en-
joyed breakfasting on dry toast alone, but
he had taken an unaccountable fancy to
the dog, and l remember that l thought
the scanty fare a suitable punishment for
such IA taste.
"He'll run mad and bite you, and then
you will have the hydrophobia, and bite
me-" l said, when man-like he tried to
reason with me As if woman's fears
could ever be made amendable to reason.
Bruno had now evidently determined to
give me the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Whether the breakfast gave him an idea
that was subject to generous impulses,o or
whether he liked me for my own sake.
cannot say, but l was hopelessly in his
good graces. He evidently thought my
friendship worth having, and left no dog
gish art untried to win it.
Once in particular when l was nicely
dressed for going out, l sat down to wait
for my husband, who was preparing to
accompany me. Ladies wore drapery
sleeves then, and had donned for the oc-
casion an elegant pair of lace undersleeves.
They were present from dear friend,
who had herself embroidered them, and
was admiring the delicate work, when
Bruno came into the room, and in his un-
feigned delight in my fine appearance, laid
his dirty, wet nose directly across my arm
Didn't lump
My laces were so soiled, and the firing
ed trimmings of the oversleeves so be-
daubed and tangled, that had to dress
again, and not half so becomingly.
ugh You great ugly curl" said but
| took care to wait till he was out OF hear
ing before | said it..
"He is only scraping acquaintance"
said my husband, laughing.
But was determined not to be familiar
with him.
BEASTS were not made to live in the
house with human beings" said to Bru-
nos master, one morning when was
brushing the stair carpet. The dog had
never learned to use the mat at the door,
and all the mud that every body tracked
into the house was consequently laid to
his want of neatness.
III you Tttliy UO nOt Hhc W uuNC uiIu
come up stairs" said Bruno's master,
you have only to tell him so. He will un-
derstand and take the hint"
had never yet spoken to him, except
to coax him hypocritically when his pres.
ence frightened me. 'sPoor Bruno! Good
fellow 7" was all had ventured to utter.
But had little faith in the remarkable
intelligence that would enable him to take
hint that was sometimes thrown away
upon my own species. Nevertheless, !
thought the experiment worth trying.
That very noon, Bruno appeared about
dinner time, just dropping in momen. en-!
to see what was up to. He had habit
OF doing this at meal times, and II nc
was hungry, it was particularly incon-
yenient lime to receive him. So without
even the politeness of even saying good
morning, began:
Bruno -.
He looked up and opened his mouth ex-
peetantly.
"Bruno, y said l, speaking slowly but