Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-06-11
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 watchdog around
the house and barn, as his wife is much of
the time alone, and as bad boys 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-
cised the canine, inquired as to his merits,
and said it was trade. He tied the dog
up in the woodshed, fed him beautifully,
and he went into the country after load
of potatoes with light heart, believing
that no human being could come fooling
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.
He had just got on to the main floor when
buzz-saw began ripping up and down his
left leg. He thought it was buzz-saW, but
it wasn't; it was that watchdog OF his. Mrs.
Ripley, desiring to go off to a relatives,
had turned the dog into the barn, and be
was watching, as was his business. Rip
ley yelled: ooh! hockey to, saltpeter," as
he felt the grinding at his leg, and he made
long SKIP 1ulO COIuoIH Hls 1dCeu dUOut
and saw the dog. The old canine delib
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
motion, as if they wanted to reach out af-
ter something.
"Nice old fellow" began Ripley, think
ing to beguilethe 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 a
little of his fierce look. This encouraged
Ripley, and he started to go out but he
had taken but few steps when the dog
took half yard from the back of his
coat and brought away a piece of flesh.
| Ripley fell over the peck measure, and the
! dog took another mouthful, but did not
pursue to the corner.
| ooh! jewhittaker to Jerusalem 7" groaned
| the dog-buyer as he leaned UP against a
barrel and saw the dog calmly Eliminating
| over the last mouthful.
The canine sat up again and smacked
| his lips and uttered groWl which rever-
berated around the barn like thunder He
closed one eye and peered at Ripley with
the other, and then moved his paws around
with mat 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 look
that spoke volumes. Then he went at the
beguiling business again. Here, Tiger"
he called, swapping his fingers, "nice
Iiger-best dog in Detroit-poor old
doggy" Tiger uttered whine and beat
Ben. Buffers Dream on the floor with his
stump narrative, while 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 crossed the floor when he felt
buzz-saWs, and reu-hot irons, and pitch
forks Jabbing him all over. He went up
and came down, turned handsprings and
jumped from the trapeze, and In 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 insulted the dog.