The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-12-06
Z TOwsER.

Towser, as dog life is reckoned, was
a nonogenarian, having lived the full
measure of his days and somewhat over.
1t was about the close of the war that,
one day, rather doubtful looking char
acter appeared, followed by decidedly
frisky young pup, and being admitted
made known his errand by saying: "I
heerd you folks wanted dorg, and this
is just the one to suit ye''-" Down, sir
down! DOWN. as the exuberant spirits
of the young "dorg" carried him be-
yond all bonds. 'sHe's jist playful
like, We see, because he can't help it,
but it beats all how good natured and
affectionate he is; and tell we he'll be
the best watch dorg in all the country
round when he's growed; he's good
stock he is, and no ugly tricks about
him."
The young pup certainly seemed to
merit all the praise bestowed upon him.
He was lively, frolicsome, vital look
ing animal. pure white, with brown
head and ears, an honest, intelligent eye
and good face. 1t was soon quite ap-
parent that even on the short acquaint-
ance of half an hour he had already
won the favor of the entire family; so a
bargain was quickly struck, and for the
sum of five dollars, cash, he was passed
over to the keeping of his new masters.
Towser-for that is what we immedi-
ately dubbed him-took kindly to his
country home and surroundings, and at
once made himself part of the family.
attaching himself warmly to every MEM
Der of it, and throwing himself with the
most vigorous and friendly interest into
everything that was going on.
He was pointer, not entirely pure,
but sufficiently SO to set his nose in a
bee-line and make his tail stand
straight out whenever he scented a
partridge around, and during rabbit
season he would run him elf quite thin.
No doubt he would have made a valua-
BILE hunting dog if he had been properly
trained; but there being no hunters in
our family, that part of his education
was sadly neglected.
As he grew the true inwardness of his
character developed in a most encour-
aging and satisfactory way. A per-
fectly healthy physique, an entire devo-
ton to and interest in the family, q
generous, good natured, amiable spirit,
and a perfect detestat;on of tramps
were some of his most striking traits
As for tramps, one of those rowing indi-
viduals could hardly set his foot within
the gate before he was around the
house with bound, giving him such
greeting as would at times make the
boldest beat rapid retreat. 1 once,
however, saw him entirely subdued by
an old Irish beggar woman. She rang
the front door bell, and Towser, who
happened to be within the house, with a
fearful growl made one dash through the
open window. She was dreaafully
frightened, of course; but she stood her
ground bravely, and with coaxing,
wheedling voice, exclaimed: "Och, We
blessed swate auld baste We, what
would ye be after hurting poor auld
woman forP" With sinking tail and a
shame-faced look Towser instantly COLI
lapsed.
He was not wanting in sagacity, and
had a deliberate way of accomplishing
his own ends when he saw fit to do so,
which, if he had been man, would have
carried him well through life. Like all
dogs, he was fond of a piece of nice fresh
meat; and he soon found out that the
best place to get it was at market, and
that market was on certain days of the
week. So on those days he was always
anu W dCCOupdI1 Ills
mistress when she set forth This, how
ever, was soon prohibited, as dogs were
not allowed at market. He understood
it perfectly well, but was not to be de-
tered. When the day came round he
simply waited until he saw the horse
being put to the carriage; then he made
a long detour through the garden and
fields, and when near town would sud-
i i
ting along in the most unconcerned and
unconscious way. After this had oc-
CURED several times, in order to put a
stop to it, he was taken into his master S
study on market morning. and made to
lie down and stay there until he re-
turned, when he was always given gen
erous chunk of fresh beef or mutton.
This reward of good behavior had such
an effect that soon, of his own accord,
if it was forgotten to put him in the
study, he would go to the door when he
saw them preparing to start, an l
scratch or bark to be let in.
Rewards. in his case, exerted a
markedly formative influence upon his
character. In the family of his master
the good old custom OF morning and
evening prayers was always observed;
and as the most convenient time for
having the entire family together, they
were had just after breakfast and tea
Somehow Towser got to coming into
the room at that time; and, in order to
keep him quiet, he was made to lie
down in certain place; and if he be-
haved himself properly his master, at
the conclusion of the service, would al
ways give him some dainty tid-bit re-
served from his own plate. He soon
got SO that he would take his place OF
himself, when he saw the Bible handed
down, devoutly cross his front paws.
and keep perfectly quiet until the word
Amen, when he was up and at his mas
finished. showing that he knew the
sound of it. Occasionally, like other
members of the family, he would be
late in coming in. When this hap
pened, however, he seldom made any
disturbance, but, with grave and digni.
fled demeanor. would walk quietly over
to his place and lie down on his rug.
As protection he slept in the house
at night; and SO acute was his hearing
during his younger days that strange
football anywhere within fifty yards OF
more around the house was the sigma
IOr lerOclOuS ouGDurSI Oh HIS part
On fine evenings he liked to roam
around awhile, or perhaps visit friend
and sometimes when the hour came fol
retiring he had not yet returned from
these jaunts. By eleven or twelve
o'clock, however, never later, some o
the family were sure to be aroused by {
short, sharp yelp at the side door, whicl
meant ~ have come back. Let me in
if you please, as soon as possible
If you felt inclined to punish him fc,