The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-12-25
A CHANGE OF MIND,
From tho Youths Companion.

NOW IL IL Oh no use IOr you TO Galk,
George. That dog must go. I'm only
too glad to come and keep house for
you, and I'll do my best: but there is
not room enough here for me, and the
dog"
Nonsense, auntie!" said, kissing
the lovable, crotchety old soul. "You
don't know Jackson yet. He's a
splendid fellow, rs you'll say when
you've made friends. Hi, Jacksonl
Bloaters!"
My dog had been sitting up with his
back toward us, and his head bent
down right in the center of the fender,
as if he were warming his scalp, and
apparently in day dream about
bones, or Smiths dog round the corn.
er; but the moment spoke, he made
a dash to the side, reared up, caught
the old-fashioned wollen bell-pull in his
teeth, gave it n vigorous tug, and re.
turned to his place.
''There!" cried my aunt. "I declare
he's Il demon! Idont believe in temzy
cosies, or ghosts, or spirits, or haunt
ing, or any nonsense OF that kind; but
that dogs q demon. "There! there"
she cried, excitedly. "Look at him!
Did you see him lift up that right ear,
and leer at me in that wicked, malig-
nant way with his right eye?"
"He fancied that you were talking
about him, auntie."
"He knew l was talking about him.
l declare, he sends cold shudder
through me! I'm afraid of him,
George"
"But what has he been doing now?"
I said, as the old lady arranged her
mittens, and proceeded to pour out
the coffee.
Rushed into my room this morn
ing, when Jane brought the hot water;
and then he wouldn't lot me get
up"
"Wouldn't let you get up? Non.
sense, auntie! Why, he's as good as
can be!''
"He's not, George" she cried, with
her hands trembling. "He's Us wicked
rs can be! Every time moved toget
up, he growled; and l was obliged to
ring for Jane to come and take him
out, when he ran under the bed, and
she had to fetch your fishing-rod to
drive him out"
"Oh, know why that was. You've
got my bedroom, and he doesn't like
any one else being there. He'll forget
it in a day or two"
'He never will, and he has taken a
malignant spit against me-"
(Which you can cure by giving him
q bit OF these" said, as Jane enter
ed the room with two covered dishes.
1'He is very fond of bloaters' heads.
DO you see?"
"ugh" calculated my aunt. "scnd
him out, George can't bear him to
be here. He gives me the creeps. The
dog is not natural beast. He has
an evil spirit in him; know he has"
l simply sat back in my chair and
laughed. 1t was impossible to help
it, for Jackson had turned sharply
round us soon us Jane entered with
the dishes; and as soon as she had
taken off the covers and gone, the dog
uttered three loud barks, trotted to
the door, and then raised himself up
on his hind legs and walked solemnly
right round the table, open-mouthed
and erect of car, till he reached the
hearth-rug, where heremained motion
less.
"Look, GEORGE" cried my aunt again.
Clos putting out his tongue at me
now, derisively. Go away! Cist! Go
away!"
AS soon Us I could recover myself, I
cut off the bloaters' heads, and pitch
ed them, one by one, to Jackson, who
caught them and swallowed them on
the instant, before subsiding ON to his
four legs.
"rhere's the secret of his possession,
auntie," said. "Let me give you q
bloater. Genuine; slightly smoked.
I've been idle all these years, waiting
for practice, and I've taught my doga
few tricks. There, come, make friends
with him. Here, Jackson, shake hands
with the lady"
Jackson looked intently at me, and
heid out ms paw.
NO; no." said. "Go shake hands
with the lady"
Jackson Ia; uttered a low growl::
'"There you SEQ my dear!" cried my
aunt, triumphantly. "He has taken
ge great dislike to me-"
"Then he must learn BETTER" Isaid,
s1sernly, "How dare you, Sir! Go in
the corner! BE OIL! You dog, you!'
jackson seemed to resent ngcalled
you dog, for at those words ne ut
tered low growl, trotted to the cor
ner, threw up his muzzle SO as to get
his throat straight, and uttered such
series OF yelps that my aunt put her
fingers in her ears, and filled her face
iuii OF wrinkles both wide and deep:
There, that will dol" l said, loudly:
You can come back now. Go and
shake hands with that lady, sir! DO
you here?"
Jackson came out OF the corner, ,and
walking slowly up to nv aunt, held