The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-03
THOMPSON'S DOG JERRY.

About one hundred miles from Mobile, on
the banks of the Tombigbee river, there lived
an old planter named Thompson. Mr.. Thomp-
son was q great lover of horses and dogs, par
tticularly the latter, and his plantation was
headquarters for the lovers of the canine race
for miles around Mr.. Thompson had son
named William; we will call him Bill, because
everybody called him by that name.
Bill was about fourteen years of age when
the war broke out, and it interfered with his
fathers plans concerning his education. How
ever, the war ended, and he was sent to finish
his education at the University of Virginia.
Bill remained at the University for about four
years, and at the expiration of that time re-
turned to bis home.
The old gentleman was very proud of Bill
indeed he had reason to be. He had grown
to be tall, elegantly formed man, of graceful
manners and geneel appearance.
: In his Joy at his sons return, Mr.. Thompson
had provided an elegant repast, and the elite
of society were invited to welcome Bill home.
The entertainment was numerously attended,
and the occasion promised to be the one of the
season, for the old gentleman and Bill were
yeally great favorites The old mansion was
Shronged with youth and beauty, and to the
merry music of the dance the hours glided
swiftly away.
Bill was congratulated over and over but
the many congratulations he received oc-
easioned the drinking Of more whiskey than
he could carry, and his part of the reception
was brought to close by his getting helplessly
drunk, in which condition he was found by his
father, under one of the tables.
The old gentleman, however, smothered his
resentment, taking into consideration that this
might have been an accident, and that it might
not again occur; but his hope was destined
soon to be dispelled, for at other places, it was
found that Bill was too fond of whiskey and
that he regularly came to grief at each enter
tainment.
Mr.. Thompson was not man to very long
tolerate such action on his sons part, and one
morning, after one of Bills excesses, he spoke
to him concerning the matter. Bill could not
deny it, and there was poor chance for an
apology The old gentleman became enraged
at Bills silence, and thus addressed him:
"Bili, have raised you up as carefully as
ever child was raised. You have disgraced
me and my name. have fondly hoped you
would be an honor to me and it. I'll have no
more of this. You can remain if you want to,
and this may be your home. You can have a
horse to ride, and will clothe you decently,
but ha added with great emphasis, 'you shall
not hereafter get drunk you shall either earn
your money or steal it"
1t was in vain that Bill tried to apologize.
The old gentleman would take no apology.
The fat had gone forth, and however dry his
throat might be, Bill knew there would be no
retraction of his fathers words. So he conclu-
ded to be a temperance man, but, as is usual
in such cases, though the spirit was willing,
the flesh was weak.
Bilps throat soon became very dry and an
loot Lo l. II bof
he must calculate upon some plan whereby he
could get drink of whiskey.
In some of his readings Bill remembered the
fable of 1.-THE Wise Dogs" and determined to
profit by it. Meeting his father one evening,
about month after he had received the pre-
ceeding lecture, he thus addressed him:
Father, do you know anything about this
colony of Yankees down here at the mouth OF
the river?"
aNo, DON'T" was the reply, and gruE
one, too, for the old man didn't like the yam
KEGS, and didn't like to hear anything about
them.
aWell, father, they must be queer lot, for
they have got schools down there"
"Yes," Numbered his father, schools for
niggers.;" ;. ~, ,o 49, ao,,;, L.
due; they teach white children too"
"Yes," said the old man, "teach lies-they
teach them lies"
"Well, suppose they do" replied Bill, ''but
what was going to speak of is that they have
got school for dogs"
"a school for what 2"
ga school for dogs They teach dogs to
talk"
"Come, now, Bill, if you are fool enough to
believe such trash, don't try to make big fool
ont of me- Teach dogs to talk! They may
teach them to steal-I shouldn't wonder if they
did, but don't tell me about this teaching dogs