Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-06-06
A ROMANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY

Did you ever hear of that young ras-
cal, Bob Karohe, and the trick he
played on his old uncle to make q
raise in his finances? Well, you see
Bob was brought up pretty much by
his old uncle. All of Bob's relatives
were mostly Quakers, and Bob, with
his natural slyness, readily fell into
Quaker ways. Occasionally he would
thee and thou and twirl his two thumbs
when the old folks were about. Sit
ting one evening in the kitchen, which
was large and spacious, and where
most farmers take their evening meal.
Bob was twirling his thumbs about on
time with his old mothers spinning
wheel, when his old uncle came in, and
observing that the youngster was some
what excited, says to him, "Good
evening, Robert, how hast thee spent
the day?"
Bob not wishing to lose time or so
favorable an opportunity to carry ont
his plans, replied: "Uncle, I was in
the city this morning and saw the
strangest going on there that you could
imagine
"What was that, Bob?' asked his
uncle.
"Oh," replied Bob, I" it was a dog
talking school"
Nonsense" said the uncle.
"But I tell you, uncle, there was no
nonsense about it. was present and
heard the dogs talking; it was real
funny. One dog came up to-think it
was Whiteman's dog-and put out his
paw, said, How are you, Mr.. Watch,
how is Ben? After that they went on
talking just like men,"
The uncle, though much amused,
says: Robert, thee must certainly be
beside thyself; dogs are dumb animals;
they have not the instinct of reason,
and consequently it was not intended
by nature that they could be able to
communicate with each other in the
language used by the human being"
"That may all be so, uncle, but you
very we'll know that dogs do communi-
cate with each other, and at times they
very plainly indicate their wants to us,
but at all events know that dogs can
talk, for witnessed the fact myself this
morning, and want you, uncle, to let
me take our Bose up to school. Bose
is first rate dog, kind, gentle, well
behaved. Everybody likes Bose-all
of us children have rode on his back
and played with him. He is like one
of the family, and if any dog deserves
an education, tits Bose"
Bob continued:
cit would be so nice, uncle, and so
funny to have Bose come home, after
playing all around the neighborhood,
and tell us all the news; we would hear
lots of things about everybody, because
people would speak right out before a
dog that they would not say before us. u
Bob saw the old uncle was quite in
terested, and began to twirl his thumbs
quite fast. More arguments were ad-
vanced, until finally the uncle said
Robert, art thee quite sure what thee
says--and saw-if so, thee can take
Bose up and have him entered at the
school. How much, Robert, will it
cost?'
"Why, uncle, the entrance fee is
only ten dollars, and in two weeks or
so Bose will graduate; then we will
have such an interesting time"
Bob received the ten dollars with the
proper caution about caring for Bose.
Away they went. Bob met some of his
old chums at the gate. A little, sup
pressed "huzza" was heard, and then
dog and all of them started for the
city. 1t was not long before they met
a countryman. Bob soon disposed OF
Bose for a dollar. The countryman ty-
ing him under his wagon, drove off.
Bob had good time while his ten
lasted, frequently reporting to his uncle
the progress of Bose.
In about four weeks, the promised
time for Bose to graduate, the old gen.
tleman began to feel quite anxious fol
the old family pet to return home, and
says to Robert, Had thee not better
go and get Bose? The time is about
up for his getting through with his ed
ucation."
eyes, uncle" says Bob, ct was
about to name it to you, and get the
graduation fee"
Graduation fee?" repeated the old
man, with some surprise; II gave you
ten dollars"
eyes, uncle" says Bob, "that was
for the initiation fee; but the gradua-
ton fee is twenty-five dollars. :,
The old gentleman, as if he smelt
something, turned his nose and eyes
upward, raised about four inches on
the tip end of his toes, at the same
time twirling his thumbs very rapidly,
as he was wont to do on exciting occa-
sions, replied, with sigh, Yea, YER
lily, Robert, thee had better go fol-
Bose at once"
AS soon as Bob got possession OF the
finances he made for the city, and was
greeted with great rapture by his
young friends, who were on the watch
for him.
Bob kept out of his uncle's way for q
couple of days; but as they gathered
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