The Republican journal., 1883-07-19
Sagacious Crank"


Sagacious Crank
SHEPHERD DOG THAT SERVES PAPERS AND
RUNS ERRANDS-HIS CAREER FROM PUPPY
HOOD.
"That dog You mean that dog over
there with the papers in his mouth
Why sir, you couldn't buy that dog. I've
been offered over 800 for him, but
wouldn't sell. Why, he's got more down
right intelligence in that black head OF
his than any boy can get to do the same
work. Been serving newspapers for
three years, sir, and it's picnic for him
every day. Why, pve seen him leave a
good fat bone to 60 and carry papers; be
likes it that well. No, SIR a man would
have to reach down pretty deep in his
clothes to buy that dog"
Newsdealer kessler, who does business
at Hart lane and kensington avenue,
whistled to a coal black shepherd dog
across the street when he had finished
his eulogy, and, in response to the sum-
mons, the animal bounded across the
cobble stones and sat down on his
) launches to wait for orders. 1t was a
handsome dog, one Of the we'll fed, good
natured, frolicsome kind, and seemed to
take great pleasure in helping its master
to deliver the afternoon newspapers.
Every boy in that portion Of the city
| has personal acquaintance in the dog,
and in almost every house the old resi-
dents point out to strangers "the dog
that carries newspapers" And yet the
, animals pedigree is unknown.
FOUND IN THE SNOW.
Three or four years ago, while Mr.
kessler was going his rounds with the
winters night, he came upon a whining
puppy in vacant lot. 1t had a mean,
half-starved, half-sick, miserable look,
but Mr.. kesser never thinking that he
might possibly be harboring worthless
cur, took it in his arms and carried it
home. Liberal quantities of meat and
bread and milk soon put some life in the
trembling body, and as the animal began
to feel the effects of full meal and kind
| treatment, Mr.. kessler noticed that it
had an intelligent look, and was exceed
ingly we'll behaved He determined to
give it trial, the result Of which has
| been that the friendless, halt-staryed,
kicked about puppy has developed into
one of the most intelligent and valuable
of dogs.
"rve often thought" said Mr.. kessler,
'that great many men would turn out
as the dog did if they only had the shad-
ow of a chance; but here, I'll show you
how he works. Now, here are four OF
| five papers, all of different kinds. One
goes to Mr.. Mason, one to Mr. O'llern
another to Mrs. Schwab and the fourth
one to Mr.. Bryce, who lives block away
and is the last on the list. | take Bryce's
paper as it comes in the package and
fold it into a quarter-size. Then | lay
it on table and fold Mrs. Schwab'S
| paper a size smaller, OEern's a size
smaller than that, and Masons the
smallest Of the lot. Then put the large
/ paper underneath, and range the Others
50 that the small paper comes on top.
SERVING HIS CUSTOMERS.
''The dog takes the folded papers il
his mouth and starts OFT up the street
At Bryce'S house he mounts the steps
and rattles the door knob with his front
feet, and, if he hears the servant -gir
coming, he drops the first paper and
goes on to Mrs. SchWab's, where he re-
peats the same operation, and from there
on to the end. He never misses a house
and never gets paper wrong. In that
respect he is better than any boy could
hire. He never forgets any thing, for be
has memory as sharp as a cross-cut
saw. | serve papers on one side OF the
street and he on the other. My custom
ers very soon learned to look for the dog
the same as they used to look for me.
"But that isn't all the dog can do il
the newspaper trade. He not only de-
livers the papers, but he collects the
money on his route. All the customer
has to do is 10 wrap up the money in d
small piece Of paper, and he will carry il
home safe enough. Also, in that respect
he is better than nine boys out of ten. |
don't have to bother myself watching tol
the street-car that brings the paper.
from down town; the dog knows what's
to be done, and he goes down the street
to meet the car every day at a certain
hour. Although the bundle is Il big lift
for him he brings it TO the store, and cal
hardly wait for me to get my coat On tc
90 out on the route.
Besides doing the work of a news
paper carrier" continued Mr.. kessleI, as
he finished the afternoon delivery ant
entered his store, "the dog does the
work OF an ordinary messenger boy. He
will carry small packages, 90 TO the
stores on errands for Mrs. kessler, or d,
almost anything but talk. Now III senC
him after meat
THE DOG GOES SHOPPING.
The money for the purchase wa
wrapped in small piece OF paper an(
given to the dog, and in few minutes
the animal was clamoring for admlttanct
to the butcher shop down the street
The meat was well covered with brown
paper and thrust into the dogs mouth
and in less time than boy would require
to hunt for his hat and coat the erranC
was finished, the dog opening and CLOSING
the latchdoo of the store himself. MIR
Kesser then produced small bag.
"NoW, Frank" said he, addressing th'
dog, Ego TO the feed store and bring tee(
for the pigeons"
The bag was carried to the store, an(
after being filled was being taken home
when large coach dog darted out of
house and started a fight The news
dealers dog bore the assault patientl,
for a while, but, seeing that the coacl
dog had an old grudge to settle, laid tn
bag carefully in Il corner of DOORSTEP
and gave his undivided attention to tn
combat, which was short but decisive. Ii
the space of two minutes the coach dos
retired with bad eye and a mangle'
jaw. He had become jealous Mr.. kess
ler said, of the fame of the shepherd ant
had determined for revenge, but wit
disastrous results.
"Say, Mr.. kessler," said a boy VIII
came into the store as the dog came bacl
with the pigeon feed, "mother wants t
know if she can borrow your dog"
"Borrow my dog y replied Mr. kesslel
''What for ?"
"Why, she's going over to her sisters
and she wants to send back package.
Eyes, she can have the dog; but VIII
don't you go?"
ooh, mother says it would take me a.
day, and I'd be sure to lose the package
She'd rather have the dog" Philadel
phia Times.