The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-08-30
GUBBNs's DoG-sCHOoL.
A story for the Young Folks.

the war, with only one leg and great
big hole through his shoulder, he won
dered what work there could be for him
to do, with only part of himself left,
and that old and rusty. For many days
he looked down-hearted, and hobbled
up and down the village street, peering
into the shOp-doors, and over the fences,
where holly-hocks and lilacs stood up
like gay young soldiers.
John Gubbins had a dog that looked
enough like him to be his own son.
Towser Gubbins limped on one leg and
had one ear half bitten off-the work
of bloodthirsty old pig that thought
he was after her young ones one
day. John had taken great deal
of pains in teaching Towser, and he was
one of the {" most knowledgeable dogs"
as Patsy Burke said, that any body ever
knew. Towser could open a door as
well as any one. He stood up on his
hind legs, held the handle by one fore
paw, and struck the latch with the 9TH
er. Open flew the door, and in walked
Towser Gubbins. Then every body
laughed except Towser.
Sitting in his door one dark day in
spring, poor John Gubbins felt very
low spirited; his hat was old, his coat
torn, and his stump of leg bothered
him more than ever. He said to himself
that he wasn't good for much any way,
and he might as well be a clam and
done with it. John had no wife, so he
keot house for himself in little bit of
shell that wasn't much larger than dry
goods box; and there he did some
wonderful cooking, and a kind of
washing and ironing that would
have amazed any child in
Belleville. Just before he sat down. in
his door he had done his breakfast work
that is, he had wiped off his plate with
bit of newspaper, had fed square
inch of mutton-bOne to Towser, and
had put his army blanket wrong side
out and bottom side up on his lumpy
straw bed. Therefore, John had moth
ing more to do, so he sat down by the
door and thought. :
Close in front of him sat Towser, look
ing up in his face, and now and then
cooking up his ears smartly, as if to
hurry John along and make him talk.
"Towser,'' said John, "you're a
pretty fair beast in your way, and we've
got to do something to get our bread
and mutton; now, suppose we teach a
dOg-schOol?'
Up jumped TOwser, wagged his tail,
and took a little walk around in place
not larger than a wash-bowl, and sat
down in the very same spot. 1t was
plain to be seen that Towser liked the
plan.
" The first thing" said John, sis to
get our scholars, and the next, to keep
you from chawing them up; for there's
bit of bad blood in you, TOwser Cub
bins.'
Up jumped Towser, and putting his
forepaws on Johns one knee, he ran his
tongue out and smacked his lips as if he
already tasted terrier.
"Down!" said John, land let's go
and hunt up our academy"
So out they went, John hobbling along
with his one leg and crutch, and Towser
running and skipping on three legs as
gracefully as he could, for fear the vii
lage dogs would laugh and say he made
a dreadful ''bOtch' of it. All day long
they walked the town, John and Towser
Gubbins, and next morning four of the
village boys came to Johns little house
to talk about the new school for dogs.
Tommy Watson had pink-eyed, soft
white poodle, who wore a blue ribbon
around her neck, and drank weak tea
with sugar in it. She was washed every
day, and always cried when her ears
were rubbed.
What this dog could learn John did
not know, but he told Tommy that,
Judging by her looks, she wouldn't be
able to open doors and climb ladders
like Towser, because she looks too lady
like. However, Pinky Watson joined
the class at twenty cents week.
Next came Harry Nelson's dog-a
sober-looking Spitzberger fellow, fond
of his ease, and more than fond of ice.
He had been known to lie down on
piece in front of the kitchen door, and
STAY there till the ice melted and the
water ran down the path to the garden
However, Spitzy joined the class, too,
and was to be brought every morning at
nine O'Clock precisely. Then came Ned
DIV Fowler's greyhound, long-leggedr
Hght-brown fellow, with a sharp nose
and body that was all breast and nc
stomach. John thought he would be
credit to the academy, so he took Luetf
at fifteen cents week, intend
inc to make a tight-rop'
performer of him. Then arrived Walter
Lester, leading long, low-bodied dog
, Win spray leoG duu SlO"'o jug ~ VI
! whose name was Turk, and who looked
, as if all he cared for was to eat and t
sleep: Old John did not care to under
E take Turk, for he was sure he woul'
+ never learn any thing, and would hav
/ to be whipped quite frequently. Blu
=. Walter loved Turk dearly, so job
q couldn't say "no," and Turk Leste
entered the school at twenty cents ;
week, and the privilege of being whippe
for the good of his class. Then the boy
5 all went away and left their dogs /
charge of John and TOwser Gubbins.
That the scholars might see what
dog had learned, and so not be discom
\ aged, John first showed what Towse
could do. That learned dog wake
8 across the floor on two legs, opened tn
= cupboard door and helped himself to
h;+ IS ,oaot. whareunOn all tl