The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-04-09
The Tragedy of a Small Dog.


A poor, half-starved little dog, with
a ragged coat and lame leg, was
hurried uncomplainingly along by a
knotted string about his neck, the
other extremity of which was attach
ed to the hind axle of baggage truck
that ratified down Nassau street from
Printing House square, about one
o'clock yesterday afternoon. He was
mongrel of no particular breed, his
tail dropped, his spirits We're downcast
and his general demeanor was that of
dog who had already learned what it
was to suffer and be strong. The cold
wind blew through his tangled coat,
ruffling up the hair on his leeward
side, and whenever he forgot the rope
about his neck and Jagged trife, a
sudden jerk would bring him to his
senses and realization Of the miser-
les of existence.
Just as the baggage truck ratified
by Nash & Crooks restaurant, a soul
less boy, actuated no doubt more by
excess of vital energy than brutality
of disposition, threw a stone after the
little dog. 1t ratified along the fro
zen pavement close at his heels, and
the little dog sprang away to avoid it
The rope caught about the axle, and
in another moment the heavy wheel
had passed over the unfortunate little
dogs hind legs, and he was being
dragged bowling with anguish along
the staeet with one leg broken and
the other badly bruised. The driver
of the truck, big repulsive negro,
heard the cries of the poor little dog.
He stopped the truck, cut the rope
that held the unfortunate little ami
NAL to the axle, and then jumped on
to his seat and drove away more rapid
ly than ever The pitiful howling of
the small victim attracted a large
crowd, and the wretched little beast
looked up with big, appealing eyes for
sympathy. A handsome, well-dressed
young gentleman, with an open,
frank, kindly countenance, walked
out into the street and gave him
kick to see how badly he was hurt.
Then with more anguished howlings
the little dog dragged himself on to
the sidewalk and crawled up close into
the corner of the restaurant door,
where the crowd got close about him
and poked him with walking sticks
and umbrellas. A dirty faced printers
boy attempted to seize him by the end
of the rope that hung from his neck,
and the little dog in desperation bit
his hand so that the blood dripped
from it.
There was tremendous revulsion
of feeling in the crowd. One gentle
man inside of the restaurant held the
door and would allow no one to go
out, lest they should be bitten by the
poor little beast, who cringed in the
corner outside. The little unfortu-
nate turned his face to the wall and
burst into piteous yelpings every few
seconds, as new twinges of pain racked
his small body. A boy was despatched
for policeman and a revolver, and a
greater crowd gathered in the street,
while the restaurant windows and
those Of the buildings opposite were
thronged with faces, all bent upon
the battered and forsaken little dog,
pathetically awaiting he knew not
what further misery. Before the po-
liceman arrived, a burly workman
dextrousiy seized the little dog by the
neck and threw him into the street,
and, with renewed series Of howls
and yelps, he ran, panic-stricken, upon
three legs down Spruce street, follow
ed by crowd shouting MAD dog!"
But the little fellow was too weak
to go far, and he ran into a doorway
and again turned piteously to face his
relentless pursuers. At that moment
policeman hustled Importantly
through the throng holding a revolver
in his hand. He kicked the miserable
little beast into the gutter and shot
him through the back. The little dog
sank to the ground, and another bull
let crashed through his brain. The
spectators admiringly congratulated
the big policeman. and one or two
gave the little body a parting kick
and then they dispersed.
The body Of the unfortunate small
dog was thrown upon dirt heap to
await the garbage wagon, and the
tragedy of a blighted existence was
over.-Neao York Times