The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-12-16

y
ago, it SCENE, q man named Gray,
OF whom nothing is now known
except that he was poor, and lived
in quiet way in some obscure pat
of the town. was buried in Old
Grayfriar's Churchyard. His grave
leveled by the hand of time, and
unmarked by any stone, is now
scarcely discernable: but although
no human interest would seem TO
attach to it. the sacred spot has
not been wholly disrcgarded and
forgotten.
"Duing all these years the dead
mans faithful dog has Kept con-
slant watch and guard over his
grave. and it was this animal for
which the collectors sought to re-
cover the tax. James Brown. tho
old curator of the burial ground.
remembers Gray's funeral, and the
dog, a 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 new made
mound. This was An innovation
which old James could not permit,
for there was an order at the gate,
stating in the most ineligible
characters. that dogs were not ad-
mitted. Bob was accordingly
driven out; but next morning he
was there again, and for the Sec
ond time was discharged. The
third morning was cold and wet,
and when the old man saw the
faithful animal, in spite of all chas
tiscment, 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 ths
churchyard his home; aad from
that time to the present he has
never spent a night away from his
masters grave. Often in bad
weather attempts have been made
to keep him within doors, but by
dismal howls he has succeeded in
making it known that this inter :.
ference is not agreeable to him,
aad latterly he has always beea
allowed his own way. At almost
any time during 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 hallowed spot, whose
indentity, despite the irresistible
obliteration, he has faithfully pre- :
served. Bobby has many friends.
and tho tax-gatherers have by
no means proved his enemies.
A weekly treat of steaks was
long allowed him by Sergeant
Scott, of the Engineers, but for
more than six years he has been
regularly fed by Mr.. Trail, of the
restaurant, 6 Grayfriar's Place.
"He is constant and punctual in
his calls. being guided in his mid
day visits by the sound Of the
time-gun.
"On the ground Of harboring the
dog. proceedings we're taken
} against Mr.. Traill for payment OF
the tax The defendant expressed
his willingness, could he claim the
dog, to be responsible for the tax;
hut 80 long as the dog refused tc
attach himself to any one, it wa,
impossible to tx the ownership
and the court seeing the peculial
circumstances OF the case, dismiss
ed the summons. Bobby has Ions
been an object Of CURIOSITY to all
WAC have become acquainted witt
his history. His constant appear
cnce in the graveyard has caused
, many inquiries to be made regard
, ing him, and efforts out of number
have been made TO get possession
Of him. The old curator, o
, course. stands up as the mex
, claimant to Mr.. Trail, and yester
day offered to pay the tax himself
i rather than have 'Bobby'-'Gray-
4 friar's Bobby to allow him hi
, full name-put out Of the way.
(See Scotsman April Is, 1861
. You see this notice of him wa
: written four years age, and Bobby
is still living, and has not abate,
| one jot of his devotion. e po
: hearing of him. made pilgrim
( age t, the Old Greyfriar's to wor
9 ship at the shrine Of Bob, and sur
enough, / found him there, and
! assure you I dill him reverence
4 He is a most sagacious-lookin
y creature, and like all the trul
great, is amiable. and allowed m
to caress him ve:y freely. Bobby
: has frequently sat for his picture
and in this shows how. uuder try
a ing circumstances, he can posses
9 his soul in patience, for his picture
: are perfect, he has not moved
It hair; and think sitting for pic
G tnre yerv trying circum st1nce.
It 1 have secured one of his pic
g lures, which doabt not you wi
e bc delighted to see. He is grow
9 ing old and feeble, ind from e,
y posure has contracted rhumatisu
a SO far the last three yeare has, wit
q wisdom parallel with the Who'll
: case. changed the order OF thing
}; that is he sleeps within doors, an
9 goes to the grave during the day
), And SO it happens that the poo
q unknown wait of humanity be
II comes immortalized through th
Il jeathless affection OF a dog; fc
q that most philanthropic lady. Mi;