The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-07-24
DOG JACK.

DOG JACK.
How We Game to Bny Him and what
He Was to tho Household.
Bridgets red head was suddenly
thrust in at the dining-room door one
morning as we were seated at tho break
fast table, and somewhat excitedly she
began: ''And PLACE, ma lam, and there's
bit Of by in the kitchen as would
like to see yez, for it's with the loikes
Of me he'll have nothin' to do at all,
seq he!'
Moved by curiosity to know who
this exacting caller could be, l step
ped to the door, and saw small lad.
holding in his arm what appeared to
be black furry bundle or muff.
He touched his cap respectfully, and
said: .Mornin' mum. Would We like ter
buy dog?'
"A dog!' suddenly exclaimed.
had all my life been afraid Of dogs,
and although my husband had expressed
desire to own one, l had never been
able to overcome my fears and aversion
to such pot.
but who has dog for sale?' con-
tinued.
Here, Jack.' said the boy. and the
hitherto motionless muif or bundle sud-
denly became animated, tumbled on the
floor, and rolling over displayed four
very short little legs, while two bright,
brown eyes glistened, and seemed to
say: Here am at your service!' Rats,
Jack.' was the next suggestion. This
brought about a Kaleidoscope view of
heads, tails, legs, in fact the room
seemed filled for moment, with these
various members, during which the de-
lightful Bridget was trippcd up, and
laid sprawling on the floor.
With her usual good-nature she picked
herself up, laughing, and enchanting:
"Ah, am, it's cunning little haste,
that he is, ma'am, and it's koind of
cheerful to have the loikes of him
around. that it is now.'
As Jack, who already seemed to feel
very much at home, and by his antics
impaired, as Bridget said, a cheerful
air to the hitherto quiet place. my heart
ball, my fears to vanish, and thoughts
Of giving my husband pleasant sur
prise led me to enter into negotiations
for his purchase.
'What kind of dog is hep / asked.
''Oh. mum. he's an orful KNOWN dog,
Jack ISL
mo, but / mean of what breed is hep
"Dunno. mum: he's only jest dog,
reckon"
'But why do you want to part with
him, when he's such q good dog?'
well, mum, don't want to part with
him, but it's nam. She made up her
mind this mornin', and when she wunce
makes up her mind there's no use o.
tawrkin'. Seq she: Now, that air pesky
! pups got to git!
Becoming interested, l inquired the
cause OF this emphatic decision. He
| proceeded:
We'll. you see, mum, Jacks an orful
good dog, but he gets tired o. settin'
I round, an he's like any other Teller
wot wants to play wunce n awhile.
lie never does no him that's bad, but
he jest happened to git hold of one OF
dads socks this mornin', and what d
you think-he jest went at it as If i,
ware bone, and chawred the heel clean
out.
.That riled nam, when she'd Jest o
finished heelin' an toein' Of that very
sock the day before, and when mans
riled-wh-cw!"
Glow much do you ask for Jack?"
then inquired.
20, num-" and the tears came in the
lads eyes, Il would ruther have Jack
than any money you kin give me, blu,
nam. she said: You jest ask two dol
lars for that air pup, and If you can't git
it, then git what you kim"
In the meantime our only pet, large
maltese cat appeared on the scene, and
seemed highly incensed at seeing anoth
err animal receiving the attentions thai
she was wont to receive, and although
she arched her back in wrath, and hel
tail suddenly became waving plume
Jack, instead Of being alarmed, seemed
rather pleased with her appearance, and
ran to her smiling the air in friendly
manner, and seeming to say: whats
the use now; I'm sure we shall be the
very best of friends!"
AltcE SOInC hAsS1uS auA SPAeUshS Va
her part, reconciliation seemed to be
effected. and quiet was restored.
From that day Jack was installed as
''our dog" He grew old too fast, and
from the mischievous woolly hall tina
he was at first he developed into the
stately and dignified guardian Of oul
home. His great brown. soulful eye,
won our hearts, while his long, blacl
and glossy hair was the admiration o
all.
II In the meantime remarkable affec
tlon had sprung up between tho cat and
himself, and when one morning sht
presented us with four little kittens
Jacks Joy was unbounded.
He capered around the basket con
; tanning the newcomers, and thrust hi:
cold, black nose into their midst, t.
the evident delight of the proud mother
Later, as the kittens became ole
enough to play, his long bushy tail wa.
to them a never-ceasing source OF amuse
ment.
Martyr-like, he would sit patiently
and slowly wag that appendage, seem
ing glad to be able to contribute to thei
enjoyment. while their playful gambol
always seemed to interest him.
Often might tired kitten be seer
sleeping between his huge paws, neve
dreaming that he was its own natura
enemy.
81 He was taught to keep the hens on
of the garden, and to them he was al
ways extremely gracious.
, lie drove them quietly along, and di
rected them to their own precinct
safely.
But when the old rooster, who wa
; won't to strut proudly among his flock
appeared, Jack seemed to have deslr,
to humiliate him.
by frantic and excited barking, he s
alarmed that conceited fowl that it wa