The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-02-20
LEADING A DOG.
Painful Experience with an Affection
ate, But Unruly, newfoundland.


n our family that we must have a dog,
md a Newfoundland dog at that. l
hall not enter into the particulars of
the discussion, but will merely say, that
at last | agreed to buy the animal.
There is a store on Woodward avenue
that is a pandemonium. Some very
small dogs were Gagged in the window,
and so l entered the geological boiler
shop
"Have you Newfoundland dogP" l
shouted in the ear of the proprietor.
yes" he replied.
"How old and how muchP"
"Three months and eight dollars.
We bargained in capital letters, and
finally | became possessed of the dog
and forty-cent collar, while the pro-
prietor threw in cord with. which to
lead the animal. The brute showed
what little sense 1t had by refusing to
leave this babel of birds. 1t sat on the
floor and the boy had to push it along
with broom while pulled on the cord
in front. When we got out the propri-
etor followed, and, closing the door so
that we could talk quietly in the com
parative silence of the street traffic,
said
''He doesn't look handsome Just now,
you know, for he hasn't been fed well
by the man that owned him. You'll
soon get him into good condition. He's
a Titled frightened, but when you lead
him block he'll be all right"
So | started down Woodward avenue,
pulling the dog after me, He persisted
in sitting down and sliding along the
pavement,
"See here" said good-natured
stranger, you'll choke that pup to
death in minute or two"
well, can't stay here all day just
because the pup wants to"
"Oh, you just turn around and try to
lead him up the avenue and he'll go all
right in the other direction. "
patted the dog and easily established
friendly relations with him. He was a
very friendly animal. Then we started
off again. He made playful little jumps
at people which they generally resented,
and so / was kept busy apologizing
most of the way to the first crossing.
Here he sat down again and we were
both nearly run over by an impetuous
buggy The next block we met another
dog and instantly | thought l was
caught in a whirlwind: / kicked the
brutes apart AID hauled mine away by
the string.
''See here, )" said the owner of the
other dog what did you kick my dog
for?"
Il didn't kick your dog-particu-
larly. kicked at the heap. To even
things up you may kick my dog and
welcome. Further, you may kick me
if you ever meet me leading a dog down
Woodward avenue again" He seemed
Modified and went on. lsH..nr. ,
Crossing the Fort street track the dog
sat down again. The car was coming,
of course, and as the driver put on the
brakes he did not disguise what he
thought of both of us. There was moth
ing else for it, so picked the dog bodily
up and carried him to the sidewalk. He
thought this was an exhibition of my
affection for him, so he paved me over
with his muddy feet till was a sight to
see. In front of the Russell House he
gave an exhibition of his playfulness.
There were number of men sitting be-
hind the big plate-glass windows with
their feet at the necessary elevation tC
enable them to enjoy the passing show
in comfort. The dog saw some one
that struck his fancy, and making
a sudden break for him ierked the
string out of my hand. | endeavored
to coax him back. | tried TO get hole
of the string again. The miserable
fun with him. He playfully danced
around and barked joyfully. The Rus
sell House people seemed to enjoy the af
fair very much, which of course was con.
selling to me. Two or three times just
missed the string and nearly came dowr
on the pavement in my anxiety tC
grasp it. The dog thought it was fine
sport. He never had met quite as Jolly
fellow as | was. 1t was not every
master that would drop in the crowded
street and play with his dog. He leapeC
from side to side and yelped and waggeC
his tail and thought this was not half 81
bad 4 world after all. Meanwhile
had to dissemble and pretend | was hi
friend, while all the time | would like
to have kicked him over the city hal
tower. AT last turned away in dis
gust. He came dancing to me, spring
ing up to me and trying to lick my han,
in token of the good time we had had
He was very aflectionate dog
caught the string once more, and l.
prevent a recurrence of this thing tie
the end of it to buttonhole in m
ovcrcoat. We went along to the mex
block in good shape and then met
small dog. This one didn't want t
fight, but it was in for fun. Round an
round me the two dogs ran until m
dog brought up tightly against my fee
having wound me up in the string lik
a mummy l cut the string at tn
buttonhole and unwound myself free
stood back a step and gave that do