Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-07-10
DOG JACK.
How We Came 20 Buy Him and What
He Was to the Household.

began: And place, ma am, and there's
bit of a 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,
SEE her'
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 dogH' ! suddenly exclaimed.
! had all my life been afraid of dogs.
and although my husband had expressed
a desire to own one, l had never been
able to overcome my fears and aversion
10 such pet.
But who has dog for sale?" con-
tinued
Here, Jack" said the boy, and the
hitherto motionless muff 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 servicer Rats,
jack" was the next suggestion. This
brought about a kaleidoscope view of
heads. tails, legs in fact the room
seemed filed for moment, with these
various members, during which the de-
lightful Bridget was tripped up, and
laid sprawling on the floor.
With her usual good-nature she picked
herself up, laughing, and exclaiming:
''Ah, ma'am, it's a cunning little haste.
that he is ma'am, and it's koind o!
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
began to soften toward the lively fur
ball, my fears to vanish, and thoughts
of giving my husband a pleasant sur.
prise led me to enter into negotiations
for his purchase.
"What kind of dog is he?" 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 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' SEE She Now, that air pesky
pups got to gitn
Becoming interested, inquired the
cause of this emphatic decision. He
proceeded:
well, you see, mum, Jacks an orful
good dog, but he gets tired o settin'
round, an he's like any other Teller
wot wants to play wunce n awhile.
He never does nothin' 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 it
ware bone, and ehawred 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-ew!a
How much do you ask for Jack?" /
then inquired.
30, mum, and the tears came in the
lads eyes, Il would ruther have Jack
than any money you kin give me, but
mann, she said: You Jest ask two dol
lars for that air pup, and if you can't git
Ii, 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-
er animal receiving the attentions that
she was won't to receive, and although
she arched her back in wrath, and her
tail suddenly lbecame waving plume,
Jack, instead of being alarmed, seemed
rather pleased with her appearance, and
ran to her shifting the air in friendly
manner, and seeming to say: What's
the use now; I'm sure we shall be the
very best of friends
After some kissing and splitting on
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 mischieyous woolly ball that
he was at first he developed into the
stately and dignifed guardian of our
home. His great brown, soulful eyes
won our nedflS, Nhlle MS long, black
and glossy hair was the admiration Of
all.
In the meantime remarkable affec-
ton had sprung up between the cat and
himself, and when one morning she
presented us with four little kittens,
Jacks JOY was unbounded.
He capered around the basket con-
tanning the newcomers, and thrust his
cold. black nose into their midst. to
the evident delight of the proud mother.
Later, as the kittens became old
enough to play, his long bashy tail was
70 them never-ceasing source Of amuse- /
nent.
Martyr-lise he would sit patiently.
and slowly wag that appendage, seem. !