New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-24
Gss! Lack.

Long, long ago. when indheayted Frank
Grace first joined the police. when the
Aca ienv Of Music was q circus. and before
the uiini of man was stirred into turmoil
by the war: there was sprightly black and
tan w:,os. senia! and rowing disposition at
tractei :.::.n to tho many without having a
single master. Jack was his Eame then.
as il i. cow. He made hi, daily rounds OF
the cotfae,cuses at lunch hours. fraternized
with the police at night. slept with such
chance friend as he might NEE: when his
disposition led him to seek rest, and. alto
gethe.. led gay lie. Tie old babitues Of
Murphy's Hotel :ix his age day at twenty
years. 3u: his early dissipation has told
heavily on him.
His ~.iskers are g:aye. than age alone
woult; warrant. His sight is feeble. His
gai, trembling. When he sits down. it is
with i suiGenness that suggests the drop
ping Q! az anchor. But he frisks around
lively enough when the sun is warm; and
only the other evening nailed. or rather
toothei a rat without tuch bother. He
called regularly at :te first precinct station
while Frank Grace was officiating, as the
escor.e. Q: late calling ladies' to their par.
lo-s, ana VIXEN he died. vas for some time
a melancholy wanderer in search of
compau:onsAip. 1: wa. about this time
that ne and dear old Turner became
acquainted. They joined hand and paw
together Each OF them could call up
"reminiscences Of departed companions.
Tley became almost insepara5ie. and late
at night cne might fine them in the City
Hall, the co = leaning his head atfectona tely
against Turner's knee. his dlmmed eyes
turning intelligently upward in answer to
the Guizzica! remarks hu, Guondam master
addressed to him. Old Jack was growing
thin and weak. the cold Of last winter
stifened two of his legs. and he kept up
with difficulty when Turner chose to 90 the
rounds as in old times. One bitter cold nj gh,
last December While pleasant party ia d
sought refreshment in Bob Strong's. Tur-
ner came in with his cheerful laugh, and no
matter to what straits as was reduced he
always had a cheerful. word to a cheering
friend, and said. Jack IS cold. cid Camp
bell, Wa must warm him up The dog
limped painfully to the grea: stove and
sunk down behind it. Ee was cold, and
lame and hungry. They ted him from the
lunch table, but he seemed to be on his las.
legs. Some one said Jack had seen tive nty
years of exciting t;rces here. Turner. you
must write his obituary. You can do him
and yourself justice il il. "No.' said Tur.
ner. very quietly. 'he is more like ly to
write mine"
1t was So Only few months later the
feeble frame which both brains and excite
ment had combined to denioish attemp ted
an excursion which Tanner hoped would
bring him back some return Of health. But
Jack didn't think SO. He hung around and
whined and licked his land and sat down
in front OF him and wagged his tail on the
san.ed floor till the lair was nearly worn
off, as If he begged his friend no. to go.
For several days he :rotted round with
az all of expectancy. Then news anne of
Turner's death. Jack heard OF it. He
pinad for day o. two, even refused his
food, abandoned all htrar companionsllip
and sought relief in canine company.
But these associates iad nothing in COM
mon with him. He was an old fogy. and
knew nothing Of the modern dog develop
ment. He returned 20 the stationhouse
and pondered over forgotten scenes when
Frank Grace was turnkey. But long
bodied, stump-taileI, saors-legged dog was
in charge. and he knew him not. He sought
the telegraph office, but the operators only
said, "Poor Jack. so Turner's gone" and
with a new pain in his heart he went
away. Fer days he was not seen. At last,
though week and sad, as if to lay his
bones where he was first known he
| crawled into Murphy's A kind hand patted,
fed and petted him. The philosophy of ex-
perience came to his aiG He became more
cheerful. though his wliskers grew grayer
and his sight more dim. But he dropped
his rowing habits. Beyond morning call
or two. he does not leave his new masters
side. He confines his duties to a close in
spection of all new cOmers. Whether he
approves or disa. proves is a matter which
! he only discloses in private. But he has
! his opinions. and in secret he contides them
! to his latest friend. Secured in the respect
| of all who know him. in comfortable
worldly circumstances. respected By man
and dog he has entered on the dig mites
, wuicA are attached - an hOnored Old age