Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-24
TALK OF A TERRIER. A ShreWd En&lishman Who Made a Worthless Dog Profitable.

From the Baltimore Herald1
 "Talking about rats," remarked Colonel Ned O'Mahoney, the poet of West Falls avenue and the bard of the red bandanna- "talking about rats, say," as he stroked his impressive salmon-tinted goatee, t're- minds me of very good joke that was played upon the late Jerome Napoleon Bona parte, father of the distinguished and self confessed mugwump, Charles J. Bonaparte. At the time of the occurrence of the episode which I am about to relate I was con- nected with the establishment of General George s. Brown, and the elder Bona parte knew me we'll enough to know who I was. Mir. Bonaparte's stable was infested with rats, his yard was overrun with rats, and rats wandered up and down his spacious railways and haunted his wine cellar.
 "The old gentleman finally put an adver- tlsement in a paper for good rat terrier, offering to pay fair sum for & suitable animal I saw the advertisement, and call ! ing at his house, told Mir. Bonaparte that I thought could find man who would fur I nish the dog he wanted. He was very grateful, so at once hunted up an old one { legged English soldier in South Baltimore, who figured as 8 sort of rat exterminator in ! that section. His name was Dick-Dick Sykes, ! think.
 "'Dick,' says I, I've got an offer for you. "'Have you,' says he. What is itP Well" says I, MT. Jerome Napoleon ! Bcnaparte wants good rattsr and is will ! ing to pay for him. Have you got one that'n I suitr
 ''He thought, awhile and then replied: I "sYss'
 Then come along with me- says I, land bring your pup with you ''So we went up to MT. Bonsparte's house, 1 rang the door bell, which was answered by \ the old gentleman himself. "Mr. Bonaparte was delighted when Dick [ showed him the pup and enlarged upon his I excellent rat destroying talents. All thr e. ! of us went into the yard. noticed partie k cularly that Dick was very anxious to know Mir. Bonaparte suggested shutting him up iu \ the stable.
 "No,' says Dick mo, Mir. Napoleon; bette, let him stay in tho yard. Rats always come out doors at night | "tVery we'll, Mr.-a-Mr. Sykes, he shal
 remain in the yard,' and Dick looked mort comfortable.
 "'Now how much do you want for ths dog inquired MT. Bonaparte.
 Not cent less than twenty-fve dollars, was the reply.
 "sThe money is yours, sir, and MT. Bona. parte handed Dick two ten dollar bills and five dollar bill.
 t'Next morning." continued Colonel O'Ma' honey, ssMr. Bonaparte's yard was covered
 with dead rats. There must have been hundred or two lying all around, stone dead
 while the terrier was sitting on it's haunche'
 looking almost terrified at the evidences O the destruction of rodent life scattered abou him.
 "Shortly after breakfast Sykes called 6l me to know what had heard. I told hin and he burst into & roar of laughter, bu
 said nothing except to ask us to go to MT
 Bonaparte's with him.
 ssHe was received with great cordiality b. that gentleman, who was unbounded in hi praise of the terrier.
 wonderful dog, my man, he exclaimed wonderful animali'
 "'Dear Mir Bonaparte,' said Dick, look
 ing very melancholy, T called to tell you l sir, that I will have to withdraw my offer t sell the dog at twenty-five dollars. Here' your money back, sir. My mother is yer. fond of that animal, and when she heard : intended selling him she nearly had spasm "sWhati Do you want to take him away No, don'tl' urged MT. Bonaparte, I'll giv
 you twenty-five dollars more.'
 "Dick shook his head. ss Then fifty dollars more, added Mr. Bor , aparte.