Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-19
A Faithful Dog.

n very singular and interesting occur
renee was yesterday brought to light in
the Burgh Court by the hearing of a sum
mons in regard to dog tax Eight and
nall years ago it seems a rlan named
gray, OF whom nothing now is known, ex-
cept that he was poor and lived in a quiet
way IN some obscure part of the town, was
buried IN Old Grayfriars' Church-vard.
his grave, leveled by the hand of time
ana unmarked by any stone, is now scarce
ly dlscernible; but, although no human
interest would seem to attach to it. the
sacred spot has not been wholly disre-
Corded and forgotten. During all these
years the dead mans faithful dog has
kept constant watch and guard over the
grave; and it was this animal for which
the Collectors sought to recover the tax.
James Brown, the old curator of the
battle-ground, remembers Gray's funeral,
and the dog, q Scotch terrier. was. he saws.
one OF the most conspicuous of the mourn
ers. The grave was closed in as usual,
and next morning Bobby as the deg is
called, was found lying on the new-made
mound. This was an innovation which
old James could not permit; for there was
an order at the gate stating in the most in
telligible characters that dogs were not
admitted. Bobby was accordingly driven
out; but next morning he was there
again, and for the second time was dis
charged. The third morning was cold
and wet; and when the old man saw the
faithful animal, in spite of all chastise-
ment, still lying shivering on the grave, he
took pity on him and gave him some food.
"This recognition of his devotion gave
Bobby the right to make the church-yard
his home; and from that time to the pres
ent he has never spent a night away from
his masters tomb. Often in bad weather
attempts have been made to keep him
within-doors, but by dismal howls he has
succeeded in making it known that this
interference Is not agreeable to him, and
latterly he has always been allowed his
own way. At almost any time during the
day he may be seen in or about the church
yard; and no matter how rough the night
may be nothing can induce him to forsake
the hallowed spot whose identity, despite
the irresistible obliteration, he has so faith
fully preserved.
Bobby has many friends, and the tax
gatherers have by no means proved his en-
emies. A weekly treat of steak was long
allowed him by Sergt. Scott, of the En-
gineers; but for more than six years he
has been regularly fed by Mr. Trail, of
the restaurant, Grayfriars Place. He
is constant and punctual in his calls, being
guided in his midday visits by the sound
OF the time-gun. On the ground of har-
boring the dog proceedings were taken
against Mr. Trail for payment of the tax.
The defendant expressed his willingness,
could he claim the dog, to be responsible
for the tax; but so long as the dog refused
to attach himself to anyone it was impossi-
bic to fix the ownership; and the Court
seeing the peculiar circumstances of the
case, dismissed the summons.
Bobby has long been an object of Gu
riosity to all who have become acquainted
with his history. His constant appearance
in the grave yard has caused many inqui-
ries to be made regarding him, and efforts
without number have been made to get
possession of him The old curator, of
course, stands up as the next claimant to
Mr.. Traill and yesterday offered to pay
the tax himself rather than have Bobby
Grayfriars' Bobby, to allow him his full
name-put out Of the way"
Four years LONGER the faithful little dog
kept his loving watch, and at last died, to
the regret Of all who knew him, never hav-
ing been out Of reach of his masters
grave; though in his later years the in
firmities Of doggish age forced him to ac-
cept partial hospitality of the curator.
am sure that Lady BurdettCoutts glad
dened the hearts Of many lovers of ami
mals-as she certainly did mine-when
she perpetuated his memory by lasting
monument of granite and bronze. The
monument is drinkingfountain made OF
Peterhead granite, and surmounted by a
life-size statue Of Bobby in bronze.
During the many years which elapsed
between the death Of his master and his
own departure the lOwly grave was for
gotten by all but the dog No stone
guarded it, and not even a mound marked
it. The grass and weeds grew luXuriantly
over it as over the level soil around There
has been for years nothing that could
mark out the grave from the surrounding
soil, but the little dog knew the sacred
spot under which lay his masters remains,
and for hours used to stand upon it, keeping
his guard. A little way from the grave is
an altar tomb, under which Bobby used to
shelter himself in bad weather, and t.
which he always used to take the bones
and other food provided for him by tht
generous persons whose names have al
ready been mentioned.
[ possess three Photographic portraits OF
Bobby, from the best of which the bronze
statue was taken. In it he is sitting on
the altar-tomb above mentioned, and is
looking upward with that wistful, patient,
longing, yearning expression of counte-
nance which was peculiar to the animal.
and is conspicuous in all the photographs,
however imperfect they MY be.-Ha1per's
Weekly.
THERE is an editor IN Missouri who