St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-04-08
Mexican Dogs.
ICorrespondent BOSTON Journal. |
SAN RAPHAEL, New MEXICO, ISS

| SAN RAPHAEL, New MEXICO, 1881.
This is a town of about 5,0000D0 in
habitants, 500 people and 1899, 500
dogs. As the dogs are in the majority
and of more importance than the peO-
pie will speak of them first. They
are of no particular breed, and various
theories are advanced as to their origin.
Some argue that they are cross be-
tween a coyote and the fifth wheel of a
coach, but upon close investigation it
will be seen that this cannot be. While
l admit that they resemble the coyote
IN size, color and general makeup, and
the fifth wheel of "A coach in utter use
lessness, the fact still remains that the
compass, volume and unearthliness of
their voice so far transcends that of the
coyote as to preclude the possibility of
their ever having originated in this
manner. The only point advanced by
the supporters of this theory which will
bear close scrutiny is this: They say
the fifth wheel is always round, and the
dogs are always round, too. This is
good so far as it goes, but the resemb-
lance stops right here, for the fifth
wheel is usually tired, but the dogs
never are. But while it is an easy mat
ter to kick over all theories i'll regard to
the origin of this wonderful animal, l
ind 1t not so easy to establish one my
self that will stand the test on all sides.
His ability to make night hideOus has
suggested to me the idea that perhaps
his ancestors were Operatic singers or
memb bers of Il volunteer fire department.
But even this will not stand a very rig
Id scrutiny, for prima donnas sometimes
have bouquets thrown at them, but the
articles hurled at Mexican dogs look
more like cold lead, rocks, tin cans, etc,
to a casual observer. The volunteer
fireman Is not on duty every night, but
the dogs are. After mature delibera-
tiOn | have therefore decided to treat
the subject of the ancestry of the MeXi-
can dog as a cOnundrum, and give it
up, and proceed to speak of some of his
peculiarities, &c. which are less shroud-
ed i'll mystery. One very marked pc
culiarity is his ability to sleep all day,
and his inability to even close his eyes
Tor mouth eithcr) at night. No Mexi-
can dog was ever known to be awake
for more than eleven seconds in the day
time, and then only to dispose of some
Over-active flea. But "S00n as the cue
ming shades preudip they tuIn out as
unanimously and willingly as the in
habitants of New England village to
a free oyster supper. There is no tedi-
GUS delay in the opening of the concert.
No dog has cold OF is in any way in-
capacitated from taking his part, but
each and every dog seems to think it is
his or her benefit night, and wishes to
produce favorable impression. There
ale no omissions. Everything on the
programme is faithfully carried out
and a good deal besides. We made a
slight change in the programme last
night by getting up and shooting four
of the leading performers, but there was
no diminution in the chorus, as each re-
naming dog bore on a little harder.
This morning the spectacle was pre-
sented to us of four Mexicans dragging
off the bodies of the defunct mem bers
of the troupe, followed by the sorrow
ing 4,999, ,496 relatives and friends of
the deceased. A very wealthy Mexi-
can has from five to ten dogs. A Mexi-
can of the middle class has from ten to
twenty, while poor Mexican has from
twenty to thirty. Most of the Mexieaus
are very poor. L am satisfied that
should tax of twenty-five cents be i'm
posed on each dog in New Mexico the
revenue resulting therefrom would in
one year wipe out the national debt,
ard leave large surplus iu the treasu
ry.