River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-30
THE NOCTURNAL EXPLOITS OLA DOG
[St Louis Globe Democrat

OF all ANIMALS, domestic or wild, per-
haps the dog, for intelligence, stands at
the head. The line dividing between in
stinct and intellect is but line, and
oitentimes the shrewdest metaphysicians
are puzzled to tell exactly where the enc
begins and the other ends. Indeed, when
some brilliant evidence of high instinct is
brought into favorable contrast with low
intellect, we are always persuaded to be-
lieve, that like the equatorial line, it is
but an imaginary one.
OF all the dogs which have been seen in
this city, not one can compare with
"POmpey," the Franklin avenue dog.
Pompey is ten years of age. He was
born on the premises of his present own
ers. He stands about twenty-eight inches
high, is of comedy proportions, of very
sedate manners, and has ever been ayerse
to cultivating the acquaintance Of other
dogs. The little social cOurtesies
which other less dignified dogs are wont
to exchange whenever they meet are be-
meath his dignity, and he will countenance
ne undue familiarity either from man or
dog. BY day he is perfect hermit, hid
ing himself in the rear of his master S
stables, and seldom coming from his Sc
clusion either for food or drink by night
even his owners are powerless to keep
him from his "beat." When but two
years Of age he began career of night
watching. Not combining himself to his
masters premises, he included the entire
neighborhood. Thus, in few weeks, he
became aware that policemen were SINH
larly engaged, and he was not long in
making himself acquainted with his blue
coated allies, with whom he soon became
a constant nocturnal companion aud a
great favorite. In summer and winter,
through rain and snow, when other dogs
were comfortably crouched in their ken
ncls, for eight years has Pompcy, faithful
to his duty and apparently con-
scious Of his responsibility, paced his
lonely beat side by side with the police
man. Though he never received the APP
pointment, though the commissioners
have never officially recognized him as in
the service. he has never faltercd in his
fidelity. When on duty, Mt night, he of
tentimes has met his masters on the
street, but no amount Of coaXing can in
duce him TO give TO them n single wag of
recognition. of duty, by day, he is
equally Indifferent TO the salutations of
his night companions. lie knows per.
fcctly the boundary Of his beat, and the
policemen have frequently passed the line
to see # he would follow but he invaria.
bly, comes TO dead halt, and by his &C.
tions says: "You mistake your limit. "
The policeman relieved from duty at !
o'clock is instantly ignored the moment
his partner comes on duty, and no STRAIT
cgy can inycglc him into following his
first companion. lie is thoroughly "a.
maliar with the Specification of the dif.
ferent "rapS, and several times when the
Sergeants challenge two raps) was
given, being for good and sufficient rem
sons in a scmi.conscious state, the dog
actually reused him from his nap by paw.
ing and nosng at his hands And il Is
well known By his owners that even in
the daytime when he is off duty and
when nothing else will move him, the
sound Of "thrce distinct raps" "a police.
mans call for help will Instantly rouse
him from his hiding place and on one
such occasion, being fastened, he broke
his chain and dragged the remnant Of It
after him TO the scene Of the difficulty,
where IL is needless to say he rendered
effective service.
There are several business places on
his beat where light Is left burning all
night, and where the policeman on duty