American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-11-13

| Frisco is a beautiful setter puppy
with silky black hair, and great brown
eyes that can look fierce or loving, ac-
cording to mis- mood at the time.
Did you ever hear of n dog having a
partyP
never did before, but as was pres
ent at this one. you may rely. on every
word 1 say as absolute truth.
We may differ in regard to whether
the dog really considered what he was
doing, and planned the celebration for
his birthday; or whether it all happened
without his having q voice in the matter
at all, but that he had party is 4 fact,
as you will see for yourselves. b
Just week ago to-day he was one
year old, and the only present l could
think ofT-was ansrextra number of fna,
bones; for when he. was six months old
had given him pretty collar with
little silver plate on it bearing his name,
and dogs do not care for other orna-
ments, you know. Bracelets and ear,
rings would be rather out of place on a
dog; don't you think SO?
Frisco wears little knot of cardinal
red ribbon on his collar, but that is all;
SO, as said before, a feast was all
could think of, to make the day differ
ent from other days. Therefore boiled
several beef-bones, and having made a
salad for ourselves from two plump
chickens, 1 had platcful of delicate
bones, such as he dotes upon, besides
the beef. Soon after breakfast l took
them all out TO his camping ground"
as we call the south corner of the back
yard, where he frolics and capers, and
takes his afternoon nap. Having tied
a fresh ribbon TO his collar, l called him
4 L. &l..~ e. II
in honor of the day. He wagged his
tail in grea. glee, and, after smelling OF
each separate bone, he looked up at me
as if he wanted to laugh, and then sud-
denly, to my utter dismay, he turned
and scampered away as stas he could
go, over the fence, through the garden,
across the meadow and out of sight.
Iconfess was somewhat disappoint-t
ed at such behavior, but, after waiting
for him five or ten minutes. L went
back to the house, concluding that his
breakfast must have been heartier than
usual, and that he was not hungry
enough to do more than smell of these
new goodies.
Half an hour later what was my sur
prise to see him sitting on the grass
gnawing away vigorously at the biggest
beef bone, while near him, crunching
the delicate chicken bones as IL they
were ar-plums, were his friends,
whom suppose he had gone to invite
when he ran away from me.
l laughed aloud, and L am. sure you
would have done the same, if you
could have looked. with me at that COM
ical sight. 80
Frisco, as host. gave an occasional
happy little bark, looking round upon.
his guests as if to see all were well sup
piled, while, assembled near him. each
with the bone he liked best. were, five
other dogs! -
Rover" the tiny black. aud-tan
terrier; "Jack," water-spaniel whose
chestnut curls sho1e in the sunshine
glossier than ever; Beauty" a white
foxhound with long brown ears; Gear
To-" with shaggy coat OF yellow and
white; and Major" the great solemn
eyed Newfoundland. ~
All these are dogs belonging to our
neighbors, and, though they are very
visitors of Frisco s, they never
before had happened to be here all at
the same time, and this is what makes
me think they were especially invited.
1t was most certainly a surprise
party" to me. yet who can tell but what
Frisco had in dog-language politely in
vited every one, and surprise or not, it
was real g birthday party" was it
notp-YoHMs .C1npanion. !-', ~