The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-02-07
OUR STORY TELLER.
JOHN GUBBINss DOG SCHOOL.

JUHN NbBbiNS'S DUU SthOVhs
When John Gubbins came home from |
the war, with only one leg and great |
big hole through his shoulder, he won
dcred what work there could be for him |
10 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 hollyhocks and lilies stood up like |
gay young soldiers.
John Gubbins had deg that looked
enough like him to be his own son.
Towser Gubbins limped on one leg and
had one car half bitten of-the work of
n bloodthirsty old pig that thought he
was after her young ones, one day. John
had taken a greatdeal of pains in teach
ing Towser, and he was one of the most
knowledgable dogs" as Patsy Burke
said, that anybody ever knew. Towser
could open 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 other. Open flew the
door, and in walked Towser Gubbins.
Then everybody laughed except Towser.
Sitting in his door one dark day in
spring, poor John Gubbens felt very low
spirited; his hat was old, his coat torn,
and his stump of leg bothered him
moro than ever. He said to himself that
he wasn't good for much anyway, and
he might as we'll be a clam and be done
with it. John had no wife. so he kept
house for himself in a little bit of
she'll that wasn't much larger than a
dry-goods box; and there he did some
wonderful cooking, and kind of wash
ing and ironing that would have amazed
any child in Belleville. Just before he
sat down in his door he had done up 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 nothing more to do, so he sat down
by the door and thought.
Close in front of him sat Towser,
looking 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 breadand
mutton; now, suppose we teach a dog
schoolP
Up jumped Tewser, wagged his tail,
took little walk around in place not
larger than 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, " is to
get our scholars, and the next, to keep
you from chawing them up; for theresa
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.
"Downp' said John, +" and let's 60 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 rs gracefully as he could, for fear
the village 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 a pink-eyed,
soft, white poodle, which 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, becauseshe looked 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 has been known to lie down on a
piece in front of the kitchen door, and
stay there until the ice melted and the
water ran down the path to the garden.
However, Spitzy Joined the class, too,
and was 10 be brought every morning al
nine o'clock precisely.
Then came Neddy Fowler sgreyhound,
long-legged, ight-brown fellow, with a
sharp nose, and a body that was all
he would be credit to the academy, SC
he took Lueth at fifteen cents week
intending to make tight-rope performer
Of him.
Then arrived Walter Lester, leading
long, low-bodied dog, with splay feet
and great bulging eyes, whose name wa.
Turk, and who looked as if all he cared
for was to eat and to sleep. Old Johr
did not care to undertake Turk, for hs
was sure he would never learn anything
and would have to be whipped quite
frequently. But Walter loved Turl
dearly, so John couldn't say "no," ant
Turk Lester entered the school at twent,
cents a week, and the privilege of beinl
whipped for the good of his class. TheT
the boys all went away and left thei
dogs in charge of John and Towsel
Gubbins.
That the scholars might see what ,
dog had learned, and so not be dis
couraged, John first showed wha
Tow~er could do. The learned dos
walked across the floor on two legs
opened the cupboard door and helped
himself TO a bit of meat; whereupon al
the dogs opened and shut their mouth
in a hopeful manner, and looked as
they might learn that.much very soon
Then Towser jumped through John
arms, back and forth; then he turne,
round and round on his hind legs, Will
John whistled tune; and that, all tn
dogs knew, was dancing. Then Towse
put his forepaws against the wall, an,
turned his head down and shut his eyes
There he stood like stone until job
sh )uted "Amenp and then he leape
up and down, until John gave him
peace of meat, and said he was eth
piousest dog which lived"