Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-03-14

Htgg's stone Dog.
"Did ever tell you about my stone dog ?
asked Biggl.

"Did ever tell you about my stone dog ?"
asked Bggl.
They all declared that he never did.
"Well," said Biggs 81 had more fun out
of that dog than any man ever got Of q doz-
en- live dogs. When l bought my place, you
know, looked around for something TO orn-
ament the grounds with, and 1 happened to
hit upon a follow who had big stone dog
that he was willing TO sell cheap. | didn't
suppose then that was going to get so much
fun out Of the thing if l had anticipated
one-tenth part of the sport that was in store
for me, l would have given three times as
much as did rather than not get the critter
"I had the dog planted near the farther
end of the front walk, 30 that he could be
seen from the street gate, and where he look
cd for all the world just like dog Of flesh
and blood taking quiet nap. didn't think
much about him at first, except to Aatter my
self that his presence gave sort OF tone TO
my establishment, suggesting TO the passer-
by that man who could afford a stone dog
must have O pocketful of rocks, you know.
"But one evening was sitting at the front
window enjoying my pipe, when peddor
stopped at my gate. He opened II half way,
gave little start, shut it again very careful
ly, tiptoed for a rod or two, and then ran of
as though the Old Harry was after him. l
couldn't understand this for minute or two;
finally 1 thought of that stone dog. Then it
came to me what treasure possessed.
"Aud that was only the beginning of tho
fun. 1 suppose during that week 1 saw no
less than a dozen fellows go through the
same pantomimo. Before this, my estab-
lishment had appeared to be favorite house
OF call to all the beggars peddlers, old clio
dealers and organ grinders in the country.
Now they all stopped at the gate. Not one
of them ventured inside. II would have
done your soul good to see the frightened
critters stop short and then go of on the
double quick.
"I guess it got noised among the transient
fraternity that Biggs kept dog with a raw
enous appetite for peddlers and beggars. At
all events there wasn't one came near the
house after that dog had been there two or
three weeks. The last one l saw was an old
lady. From her persistency l reckon she
she was taking up subscriptions for a church
fair or something of that sort. She opened
the gate, and then waited apparently TO see
If the dog meant business As the dog didn't
spring at her she opened her umbrella with
a rush, thinking to frighten him away. But
that dog didn't scare worth a cent. Then
she tried the coaxing dodge. Doggy, she
| called in persuasive tones, poor doggy, nice
doggy, Carlo, Rover, Lion" But that stone
| dog wasn't TO be wheedled into friendship.
The old lady exhausted every means she
| could think of to coax or frighten the cur
but there he lay with his head on his out
stretched paws, looking fast asleep or all
ready for a spring, just as one happened to
fancy. The old lady had to give it up final
| ly, but she held the fort longer than any Of
the rest of them.
"Why, that dog has paid for himself over
and over again. don't know how much he
saved me when he scared the old lady away
and nobody can reckon how many coats and
trousers he kept out of the hands of vase
men. Mrs Biggs, you know, is just gone
on vases, and if one comes in her way she
will have it, even if she has to sacrifice my
entire wardrobe. But the biggest saving was
in fruit. The boys used to come around to
sample my pears and apples, but as soon as
they got a sight of that stone dog they scat
tered. Oh what fun 1 have had watching
| them.
Yes, said Biggs, after stopping a few
moments to laugh over the scenes that came
to his mind, 'if you want to have fun, buy
stone dog. There's nothing like it."