The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-04-23
Dogs Have known.

The first dog ever owned was chicken.
1t was given to me by an old irishman who
lived out back of Omaha with red nose
and whskers under his chin.
My brother was owner of a little NANCY
flee that trotted about sidewise on three
legs-why do not know for he had four
fully developed legs. That was long time
ago, but can close my eyes to- day and see
that flee hopping down the street on three
legs just as plainly as if it were a reality.
He is the first dog of which l have any def
mite recollections. My brother was We ry
proud of him, but no prouder than was of
my dog the chicken-Or chicken dOg-Or,
perhaps, Irish setter would be the more ap-
propriate name seeing that he came from an
Irish family. Our two dogs got along very
peaceably together. and set at naught the
old rhyme of dogs delight to bark and
bite"
Well, as our teacher held views about
dogs in school similar to those of that
teacher who shooed Mary's lamb out. we
were compelled to part company with our
dumb friends for part of each school day.
neighborhood should not make away with
our live property during our enforced alb
sence, we fastened the chick and flee in the
wood shed for safe keeping.
Well, when we came home at noon on
the first day of school, l went out to the
shed to see how the pets were coming on.
When l had opened the door little way.
the fee came bounding forward. but when
l looked at him he crouched down, kind o.
SQuirmed around Sidewise. scraped the end
of his tail back and forth in the chips and
rolled up the white of his eyes, thought
his actions peculiar and l looked about for
my chick. All that l could see that looked
like it in the least was few feathers scat
tered here and there. l became suspicious
of foul play, and turning to my brothers
dog, sternly demanded the whereabouts
of his companion. He slowly raised his
head, and there, hanging to his under lip,
was the damning evdence--a bit of down,
from my Irish setter. l was child of few
words but strong feelings. l stood in judy
ment on the culprit. He knew that he was
being tried for his crime, and he covered
under the gaze of my stern eye. He seemed
to be trying to justify his act-seemed to
say, HE bit me first. and then it was
case of dog eat dog" but was not to be
moved by any such plea. formed myself
lnIO Juuge Lynch court. lHaG uOS uaO
had his day. l reached down into the ca
paciOus pocket of my fathers sawed-Off
trousers and drew therefrom long and
strong cord. l formed the end Of that cord
into moose and slipped it about the neck
of that whining, cringing cur. When had
him secure, l looked out of the door; the
way was clear. l jerked my victim out and
around to the alley. and hurried him away.
He tried now by being playful to win me
from my desperate purpose, but my severe
sense of justice was not to be turned aside
from the path of duty. We soon reached
the abode of the city's dog executioner.
There was no occasion for parley for we
knew each other we'll. turned the con-
demned culprit over to him. and he gave
me in return. by way of receipt. the Gus
tomary twenty five cent shin plaster.
Thus justice was indicated, small boys
appetite for candy was appeased; and it is
safe to presume that the Pawnee Indians,
camping on the outskirts of the city. sup
ped that night on stewed dog with chicken.
dressing. ALEXIS.