Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-22
"Greyfriars, BObby.v

suppose most of our young readers have
heard of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
II is beautiful old city, and many travellers
from all parts of the world visit it every
summer. A few weeks ago | was there,
wandering through the streets and peering
into every nook and corner, when at last l
found myself at the gates of Greyfriars'
church-yard, where many famous people are
buried. just outside the church-yard saw
marble fountain on the top of which was
bronze statue of a dog, little, shaggy
Scotch terrier, and underneath | read the
name, "Greyfriars Bobby While was
wondering what this meant, the old sexton
who has charge of the church-yard came up
to me and said What, have you never
heard of Bobby ?" "No," / answered do
tell me all about him." Then the old man
told me this story
"Some years ago, a poor man named Gray
died and was buried in this church yard
and among the few mourners at the grave
was his dog, little Scotch terrier. When
the sexton went into the graveyard the next
morning, he saw the dog lying on his mas
ter's grave; but, as it was against all rules
to allow dogs there, he was driven out. The
next morning, he was there again and
again he was driven away. The third morn
ing was cold and wet and when the sex
ton found the faithful animal, in spite of
hard words and blows, still lying shivering
on the grave he took pity on him and gave
him some food. From this time forth, the
dog made the church-yard his home. The
men employed about were kind to him.
They called him Bobby and he soon an
swered to the name; but he never would at
tach himself to any one person, and every
night he spent lying on his masters grave.
No matter how bad the weather was, he
could not be induced to stay indoors, but
would howl most dismally until allowed to
go to the beloved spot Mr.. Trail, who
kept restaurant near by, kindly gave him
dinner every day and Bobby generally
trotted off puuctually at one o'clock, when
the signal gun from the castle is fired.
Sometimes it happened, however, that he
was out of the way and then Mr.. Trail
used to send servant to find him and bring
him up to receive his rations. On the
ground of harboring the dog, Mr.. Trail was
called upon to pay the dog-tax, but he
| claimed that he was not responsible, as the
| dog refused to attach himself to any one
and the court, considering the peculiar cir.
cumstances, dismissed the case. At the
same time, the lord-provost of the city was
so interested that he gave the dog collar,
on which was brass plate inscribed with
his name, Greyfriars' Bobby
Bobby henceforth led peaceful life. He
had many friends and visitors, and several
people offered large sums of money for him /;
but he was not to be bought. He remained
| faithful to his masters memory, and not
night passed that he did not keep his watch
upon the humble grave. Twelve years and
| five months, he lived thus in the church
yard, and then died quietly of old age.
| buried him myself" said the old sexton, Gin
| a box under this flower bed" and he led me
| to plot of flowers on one side; "and
there" he said, ais his masters grave" and
he pointed to little mound near by, un-
marked by any stone. "a year or two be-
fore Bobby died the photographer came and
took his likeness, and it was from that the
statue was made; for when Baroness Burdett-
Coutts, who knew his story and felt deep
interest in him, heard of his death, she Or
dered this fountain to be erected, with a
statue of the dog on top, and she gave
Brodie, the sculptor, $500 for his work"
The old man then took me TO his little
office, and opening his desk showed me
some photographs of Bobby, one of which
| purchased.
As turned away, could not help think
ing over this little story. There are many
great names to be found in Greyfriars'
church-yard, and many famous monuments; ;
but among them all there is none, perhaps,
to which the stranger turns with deeper in
| terest than to that which records the virtues
of "Greyfriars' Bobby" The loving fidelity
of the little dog touched my heart; and,
above the names of divines grave writers,
and stern old Covenanters, bore away with
me the memory of "Greyfriars' Bobby
". Z. s., in Churchman.