The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-02-20
MR.. HOLMES DOG JACK.

operation the child proved stout of
lungs, and slippery as an eel, MAIN
tanning defiantly that dog Jack "didn't
have his hair combed."
"Jack keeps himself as nice as he
knows how. Wouldn't you feel
ashamed to have your dog neater than
your" asked Mrs. Holmes.
"Guess l should! never caught me
washing in a mud-puddle, on all fours,"
complacently rejoined Natty.
Precious near it, counting knees.
you small mischief!' remarked the
mother, half to himself; adding aloud,
Now the collar and bow, and you're
ready. Jack is out looking for the
stage"
All this hustle at Mr.. Holmes farm,
that morning, was because Natty ex-
pected to visit the city for the first
time in the four summers of his life
Since five o'clock he had not slept for
thinking of it.
Hearing at this moment the stage. he
made his small legs fly like windmills,
lest it should leave him. Once in the
coach, he wanted the horses to ''hurry
up" or the cars would start without
him.
But when the depot was reached,
and the engine approached, putting
and blowing, he ran to his father in
fright, begging to be taken from
d" that beastes;;' and was not will
ing to enter the cars, until he saw
Jack walk in as fearlessly as into the
kitchen at home. What Jack did,
Natty thought was safe for him, and he
followed the dog to seat.
Now began the wonder of wonders!
Trees, bushes, houses and stone walls
ran races, and even the people darted
about as if shot from a pop-gun.
Arrived at the city, wheels, horses
and men crowded and jostled so much
he wished himself back where there
was plenty of room for the little boys.
But presently his whole attention was
absorbed by a window filled with can
dies; red, white, brown and yellow.
Not a step would he advance until his
father had bought him some; and if
after that his mouth had queer curves,
you can imagine the cause.
From this call at the candy store,
Natty visited various places, where he
saw many things to question about;
then his father took him to dine at
hotel. Here the walters confused him
and almost took away his appe-
tite; yet he contrived to eat
turkey and plum pudding enough
to make him dreadfully sleepy, and
at the very first Office his father en-
tered, after dinner, he climbed upon a
lounge and went fast asleep.
Jack had been separated from his
master several hours, having a large
circle of friends upon whom he called
when he came to town. Being on this
day invited to share bone with a
black-and-tan dog, he had not come, as
usual, to dinner. Now, however, just
as Natty took his nap, he barked at the
office door, and, at once admitted, sat
down by the sleeping boy.
After a while, Mr.. Holmes, knowing
how faithfully Jack would guard Natty,
left the two there while he finished his
errands.
As this story never would have been
written but for Jack, he deserves some
special notice here. must confess he
was as homely dog as ever barked.
His neck was short and fat, his body
big and clumsy, his nose square and
sttbby, and he wore dark, gray coat,
without a black or white ornament.
Even his tail was not much to speak of,
and it stood up stiff in the air, instead
of curling gracefully at the end.
Only his eyes conveyed the slightest
idea of superior intelligence; these
were almost human in their expression,
and grew dull or bright as he was hap
py or unhappy.
His tail, too, though such guy of a
tail, was a true flag of distress or re-
ioicing; no matter in how common
place tone Jacks name was spoken,
If the remark was approving it waved
gaily in pride; butif otherwise, dropped
in shame.
The children of the Holmes family
were special objects Of his affection.
Nothing could injure them while he
was near.
He was often sent to the market for
meat, and always brought it promptly
and safely; thus proving himself more
worthy Of trust than some handsome
dogs.
We will now look in at the Office,
where we left him guarding his little
master. By some canine timepiece,
jack knows the hour has come for the
train to start. He banks and tugs at
Natty, until he wakeEs him; then darts
through the door, and out into the
street. The child follows, satisfied the
dog understands the ways of the world.
Straight to the depot trots the animal,
and the boy keeps close to him.
There Jack looks uneasily for Mr..
Holmes, uttering one or two growls,
expressive of his disapproval Of such
hardness.
Soon the train appears, but not the
father. Jack does not any longer les
itate, evidently recalling other in
stances of the forgetfulness of his mas
ter; he barks furiously for the child to
enter the train and jumps in after him.
The conductor recognizing the pair,
and supposing the father to be in an
other car, allows them to take seats,
and is amused to see the dog mount sem
tinel at the window.
In the meantime Mr.. Holmes had be-
come SO absorbed in business affairs as
to forget about his child; and not only
that. but when he went to the depot
he carelessly took passage for town
in an opposite direction from his own!
Discovering his mistake, he was also
reminded Of Natty and Jack; still, be-
licyin9 them at his friends Office, was
more amused ut his absent mindedneSs,
than alarmed for them. .i,.0l-
ki,iAb thu pe4t station he was able to re-
|Ast.u IL the citv. and fastened at once