Morning journal and courier., 1890-10-09
COMMUNICATIONS.
1Iaj.

A .ar 1.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER.
 The most autocratic and dogmatic dog ever knew was Mai, of the Paymaster mine. Indeed, think he had the insane idea that he owned the earth; or that DOT tion of it at least bounded on either side of him by the lofty, towering peaks that scared to the very heavens. Certain it is he evidently thought he was the absolute owner of the mine and it's belongings, as he pugnaciously disputed every inch of it's territory with passing stranger; his mighty bark resounding meanwhile through the mountains.
 He was we'll known throughout the country as being the smartest as we'll as the homeliest dog for miles around. He was a brown and white setter; his tail had been cut short in his infancy owing to his having predisposition for spasms, which did not improve his beauty in the least Then year ago last winter he became snow-blind and had to resort to the wear ing of spectacles, which he wore with be- coming dignity, seeming to realize their importance when the sums bright glare was on the broad expanse of snow His eyes had never been strong since that time, and were weak and watery; causing damp little furrows on his cheeks, which gave him the appearance of weeping con- tinually. As his legs were placed we'll outside of his body he looked quite out of drawing, always reminding me of the wooden animals in a toy Noah's ark. Added to this he had habit of wrinkling up his nose when he was displeased, show ing his teeth in ghastly grin, quite de- moniac. His coat was woolly, and as he had a penchant for lying on the ashy cin- ders near the furnace, it was hard to know what his original color was The coarse texture of his hair was undoubted- ly caused by his living at the high altitude of ten thousand feet
 He was born in a little mining town lover the divide" situated high up among the peaks of the Rocky mountains. When he was only three months old his master died; was shot, and ''poor fellow, went over the range" His brother the super intendent of the Paymaster, was sent for; when he came back he brought this little pet of his dead brothers before him on his horse, snugly tucked away in his strong protecting arms. It was peril ous ride for the little fellow, who, had he looked out from his comfortable retreat, must have been very dizzy indeed. This frightful pass, only accessible for few short months in each year, is at a great el- ovation, and very dangerous, and is known as ''The Highline Trail.''
 Maj. had not been long in his new home before he began to show evidences of his arrogant disposition; but he was so intel igent and useful that he won the respect of all who knew him. He was especially invaluable as a messenger, going on CT rands with more dispatch than many boys l have known. Sometimes he carried packages of dynamite into dark tunnels for distance of one hundred feet or more; or he would call the miners to dinner, car rying messages from one building to an other, never more happy than when thus employed. One of his regular duties, as the whistle blew for six every morning, was to jump upon his masters bed and awaken him; then down the winding mountain road he would go, no matter how wild the storm nor how fercely the wind was blowing, to the dormitory where the men were sleeping; barking persistent ly at the door until one of the number arose and bid him enter. He was never satisfied until he had visited every bed and saw the occupants we'll aroused.
 It was daily custom of mine to ride down the mountain every fair morning on the arrival of the eastern mail, and Pinto was saddled and waiting for me regularly at nine o'clock. From his high position at the mine the superintendent would see me climbing the narrow trail, and would say, ''Maj., Mrs. - is coming with the pa- pers; time for you to go and get them" When I reached the office Mai was always there waiting for me. Often times the mail was quite large; for the miners as a for various standard magazines, scientific and mining journals, Denver dailies. as well as many local papers from their old homes, which, with letters, etc., made the package. larger than Maj. could easily man. age; however, with head high and short tail wagging, he would go up the noun tain holding it in his mouth, stepping, oh! so proudly.
 There was little boy at the mine, a dear, dirty, lovable fellow, nine years old, by the name of Joe, or little Joe, as he was always called, to distinguish him from his father who had the same name. He had a broad, good-natured "Lord Moon" face, and was Maj. .'s constant companion out of school hours. Often the friends would come in of an evening, and Joe would say, s'Maj., doucher want ter take a chairl' Then the dog would respond instantly by climbing upon one; then, Boucher want ter sit up, sirl" when he would sit upright with surprising docility; then out came Joe's old bandanna handkerchief, which he tied over Maj.'s ears; an old hat was placed on his head, coat was fastened around his neck and pipe placed be- tween his teeth. It was comical sight, as he sat there so immovable, rolling his eyes from side to side, looking very much like superannuated negro, and I never could refrain from laughing heartily; while Joe rolled over and over on the floor in his glee; his loud, merry laugh ringing out on the still night air, waking into life the slumbering mountain echoes. Pausing for breath, he would chokingly say, "Ain't he funny; ain't he thought" then burst out in fresh peal of merriment.
 Before the Rainbow route had compile ted the side track to the ore bin the ore was brought down the mountain in sacks weighing one hundred pounds or more, and were piled up beside the lower track. It was placed upon a drag drawn by mo- toriously lazy horse by the name of John; his driver, long, lank, loosely built Mis- sourian, who answered to the name of