Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-04-27

4Ez4AG& n - Rfat
latter with . few gruff notes that de-
eided the worthy couple to retire to an
other seat He had taken an obstinate
dislike to sarah's choice, based, it was
limited, on canine jealousy, and this was
his opportunity to show ii. The em-
barrassment Of the devoted pair was in
creased by the significant glancss of
the younger members of the congrega-
ton; but it was of brief duration, being
efTectuaIly relieved By Ponto himself
When the organ voluntary Tone Of
Mendelssohn's Songs without Words
began, he arose on his hind legs, placed
his fore paws on the back of the pew
and resting his nose on them, sent forth
a series Of penitentia1 howls that must
have come from the inmost recesses of
his dog soul. All the 1apses OF his ma
ture life, all the forgotten peccadillos of
his youth, the very vagaries of his
puppyhood passed before him in fearful
array. The lace bonnet of Abby's that
he shook to pieces, that melodeon cover
that he chewed up and hid in the cur
rant bushes, thst kitten that he kept
trembling in the top of the pear tree all
one morning Misercrel
His mistress, at the first utterance of
his confession, strove to divert his mind
from the painful subject by inviting him
out into the sunshine and free mir, but
not an inch would he bulge till he had
made clean breast of it, and had
ruined Miss Simkin's beautiful yolun-
tary in the process.
Then, with the assistance of his young
master, just arrived at the dignity of a
cane and tail coat, he was toled out into
the aisle, but instead of turning toward
the door of egress, he made for the pull
pit which he invaded with bound, and
quilted with equal precipitancy on the
other side. Before anyone had the
presence of mind to open the east door
for him, around he came into the Dea-
cons aisle again, and by that time his
pursuers had crossed in front of the
pews to the other side.
Two or three turns like this for that
modest dame, the Deacon's wife, and
that sensitive young man, the Deaeon's
son, in the face of congregation at
once tittering and awe-struck, consti-
tuted an experience to be remembered
for lifetime.
aOh, can laugh now" said the Dea-
cons wife in recalling the incident for
the enlivenment of her grandchildren,
abut I thought I should die then"
A fortunate doubling on the intruder,
an open door, waving tail, brand
ished cane-and then sudden exit of
two of the actors left the exhausted
matron free to drop into a rear pew and
collect her thoughts as best she might.
That new rattan cane was never seen
thereafter, and there were those who
believed that Ponto had taste of its
quality that embittered his eeclesiasti-
cal views to the end of his life.
After the service Deacon Jerry said !:
"Boys, you must tie Ponto up next Sun
day morning"
Sunday morning came, but no Ponto
was to be found. On the arrival of the
family at church there he was, awaiting
them; but he showed ne inclination to
enter with them.
From that time until the day OF his
death Ponto never failed to disappear
early Sunday morning, and to reappear
in the churchyard at half past 10. And
never again did he cross the threshold
of the church door. Mary j. Jacques.