Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-03-07
GCRANK'S" PECULIAR LOVE.
a BIG NEWFOUNDLAND DOG CARING
FOR FOUR KITTENS.
Happy with Their FOster-Father-
Many Visitors Pay Their Respects
20 the Family.

HAPPY with Their EOster-Eather-
Many Visitors Pay Their Respects
60 the Family.
Mr.. Philip Mcdowell, of Twenty
third street and Ninth avenue, has a
most peculiar dog, who is at present en-
gagged in watching over litter of kit
tens. Crank" as he is called, is full
blooded Newfoundland three years old.
He was born in Melbourne prison, where
a sailor bought him and presented him
to his present owner. The animal is a
fine specimen of his breed, with the typ
ical broad, honest face and large, con-
fiding eyes. He is coal black with a
small bunch of white hair upon his
breast and weighs about 14O pounds.
Like all Newfoundlands he is very good
natured and kind, but at the same time
very watchful, keeping his eye upon his
masters coat, of which he considers
himself a self-constituted guardian.
During the past summer pretty tabby
cat, with bright red ribbon around her
neck, strutted leisurely into the saloon
and looked inquiringiy about for a good
warm place to stretch out. "Crank,"
whoup to that time had an aversion to
all felines, made a dash at the intruder
but to the surprise of all she never
moved. Arching her back she surveyed
her giant assailant with sort of "you-
wouldn't lick anyone under-your-size"
look; then walked up to Mr.. Mcdowell,
and rubbing up against his foot looked
into his face as if to say, five come to
stay, and you had better tell your big dog
about it"
Crank took in the situation and was
apparently pleased with the independent
behavior of his arch enemy. He offered
no further resistance and tabby was
allowed to remain. She was christened
Mrs. Langtry, not because she looked at
all like that lady, but on account of an
unfeline bang which adorned the top of
her he'd, and a little bed was made for
her to lie upon. From that moment a
close friendship sprang up between the
two animals. They ate from the same
plate and spent their idle moments
together. To wound Mrs. Langhy's
feelings made Crank angry and he avenged
all insults that were offered to her.
A month ago Mrs. Langtry had lit
ter of four handsome striped kittens, and
at o4ce, forgetting his regular duties as
guardian of the store, Crank turned his
attention to the newcomers, with whom
he was much pleased. He watched by
the basket, in which they lay close to the
mother, night and day, disentangling
them, when locked in too close embrace,
with his great, ungainly foot. Aston
ished at the strange conduct of his dog,
Mr.. Mcdonald, who has penchant for
well-bred animals, closely observed his
strange actions. The mother as well as
the kittens seemed to regard Crank as
possessing the right to interfere in their
affairs.
The little ones as soon as their eyes
opened, were named Kate, Duplicate,
Certificate and Syndicate. The latter
received her peculiar cognomen because
well known banker desired to get hold
of her. Every morning Crank takes
them out of the basket one by one and,
tenderly brushing their fur with his
coarse tongue, places them between his
fore paws, where they remain until Mrs
Langtry, who is a late riser, consents to
give them breakfast. During the day
the dog spends his unoccupied moments
playing with the kittens, who delight in
hiding beneath his big body.
When the story of Crank's strange af-
lection spread around, the families in the
neighborhood fiocked to the place and
would sit for hours absorbed in his an
tics. Judge McAdam and Senator Stra-
han have paid him daily visits, accom-
panied by their wives and children, who
bring the faithful canine goodies of all
sorts.
A reporter of the World was introduced
to Crank. He was at his post as usual,
but came forward on being called and
offered his paw to shake. The kittens
were playing hide-and-seek and Mrs.
Langtry was lying on a sofa rug in the
basket. Duplicate, through some acct
dent, got his foot wedged in the door
and made known his difficulty by meow.
Instantly Crank rushed over and extri-
Gated the little one from his uncomfort-
able position and returned him to his
corner in the basket, where he remained
quiet, while Mrs Langtry not at all dis
turbed, sat demurely by.
A bystander persuaded the scribe to
pick up Kate, who is "Crank's" favorite,
and pretend to carry her off. The ven
ture proved more than was bargained for.
Crank, seeing his ward in the arms of
another, jumped upon the would-be
thief, and grasping him by the coat col
lar held on until the kitten was dropped
to the floor. He picked her up and re-
turned her to the basket, after which he
gathered up the others which had strayed
about the room. "a man offered me 5000
for that dog, but he might as well have
laid down two shillings. would as
much think of selling a child as part
with that animal" said Mr.. Mcdowell.
"About 500 people come here daily to
see Crank and keep him supplied with
the best in the market, so don't have to
feed him."
Certainly it seems that the Cog is more
attached to the kittens than the mother
and that the love is mutual. -NeD YORK.
World.