Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-12
The Man who Bought a Dog.

FOR many weeks past Hiram Ripley, a
teamster living on Fort street, below the
railroad bridge, had been thinking he
ought to have good watch dog around
the house and barn, as his wife is much of
the time alone, and as bad bows FREQUENTLY
raid his barn for old junk. So, the other
day, when farmer came along with a big
brindle dog under his wagon and wanted
to sell him for five dollars, Ripley criti-
clsed the canine, inquired as to his merits.
and sad 1t was trade. He tied the dog
up IN the woodshed, fed him bountifullV,
and he went into the country after load
of potatoes with light heart, believing
that no human being could come foolins
around his house and live long. He was
gone over night, and it was afternoon
FRIDAY before he returned home. He
drove up to the barn and went in by the
stable door to throw open the big doors.
lie had Just got on to the main floor when
Duzz-saW began ripping up and down his
lett leg. lie thought it was a buzZ-saw. but
it wasn't; 1t was that watch dog of his Mrs
Ripley, desiring to go off to a relatives
had turned the dog into the barn, and he
was watching, as was his business. Rip
ley yelled: ooh! hockey to saltpetcr." as
he felt the grinding at his leg, and he made
long skip into corncrand faced about
and saw the dog. The old canine delib
erately picked the wooden and flesh out
OF his teeth, and was then ready for bust
ness. His eyes were fixed on Ripley's
lower vest button, his stump tail stood up
straight, and his fore legs had an uneasy
m er AS If they wanted to reach out at
Mice old fellowrn began Ripley, think
ing to beguile the dog; good doggy-nice
doggy-don't you know me?"
The dog seemed to have heard the voice
before, and he sat down and lost q
little Of his fierce look. This ENCOURAGED
Ripley and he started to 90 out but he
had taken but few steps when the dog
took half a yard from the back of his
coat and brought away a piece of flesh.
Rlpley fell over the peek measure and the
dog took another mouthful, but did not
pursue to the corner
oh! jeWhittaker to Jerusalem :" groaned
the dog-buyer as he leaned up against
barrel and saw the dog calmly Illuminating
over the last mouthlul.
Inc canine sat up again and smacked
his lips and uttered a groWl which rever
beratcd around the barn like thunder. He
closed one eye and peered at Ripley with
the other, and then moved his paws around
with that reckless, uneasy manner before
mentioned. Ripley began yelling for help,
but he hadn't yelled more than three times
before the dog checked him with a look
that spoke volumes. Then he went at the
begulllng business again Here, Tiger"
he called, swapping his fingers, mice
ilger-best dog in Detroit-poor old
doggy Tiger uttered whine and beat
Ben Buffers Dream on the floor with his
stump narrative, while a tear Of tender
love stole into each eye The thing was
all right now, and Ripley started out
again, keeping his back behind him. He
had half CT osscd the floor when he felt
AZZ-SaWs, ana reu-hOt irons, and pitch
forks jabbing him all over. He went up
and came down, turned handsprings and
jumped from the trapeZe, and II a moment
was back in his corner and the old dog
sitting up as before. Ripley couldn't sit
down, and he didn't feel like standing up
and so he leaned up against the barrel and
recklessly abused and insuted the dog
He called him an old loafer, a ring
thief, back-salary stealer, a carpct-bagger
and Mormon, and then went on and
abused every one Of the canine relatives
back TO the great grandfather.
AT length, after being a prisoner for
nearly three hours, some boys discovered
the mans situation. BY his directions
they went for grocer who keeps revol-
yer, and the grocer came and released the
prisoner by shooting the dog. Ripley
came up town to have his wounds dressed,
and they numbered twenty-three different
bites, and were impartiallv distributed
over large extent of territory. However,
there's nothing like keeping family
watch dog.-Der0it Free Press