New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-23
TIE SfG1CITY or 4 DOG.
From Tic Country Gcntlcman.

From The country bchtHHldH'
In a recent issue Of The Country Gentleman
| read with interest the account OF "(olIlcs on
n Kentucky Farm, and the thought occurred 10
ne that it might he Of interest to some OF your
readers 10 speak in behalf Of the IRISH setter.
icw years ago there came INTO possession 81 ihr
farm circle, Il thoroughbred. registered lfish
setter Bob who, through conscna!itN 81
disposition. soon became a decided acquisition
in the household. and az we became acquainted
lis several distinctive traits OF character excited
admiration, and Bob soon became privileged
canine individual
Let MS picture our hero: Medium in SIZE form
Of modest perfection. with a coat not Oi III"
brilliant red that chlractcrzcS many who PR
port to be Irish Settlers, but a colorlnS OF the
genuine chestnut hue. and 80 sllkcn hy nature
as not h. be cqualcd by the most exquisite texture
woven By man, VINE the iull, dccp-brOWu eyes.
pcnrtrativc to degree rarely seen In animals,
led rs to follow with unusual interest the de-
vclopmcnt Of our charge. IT. had been the custom
TO churn with q dOc-pUwcr ana BObS predecessor
having died a few weeks before his advent, Bob
vas installed master Of ceremonies, and learned
with quick proficiency, going each morning man
fully AZ his task, and faithful 10 II until ended
IT. always seemed an amusing feature That
when the butter began to collect in Gohulcs on
ton Of the churn, Bob always stopped the revolt
ton of the power, and no amount OF urging c"dld
compel him to 90 on until the butter was rnsod
of Tie cover, when he would quietly resume
ais task without interruption until finished.
As the dairy consisted of from seven to eight
Jersey COWS, the task by means easy.
chiinng every day and twice on Saturdays and
Mondays, Dut III was usually cNccufu Win checI-
full men.
As the aUtumnal days draw near. and the hunt
inc season approaches. Bon begins 10 appear
very WIS.,, and sometimes, locks with apparent
DISGUST at his accustomed duty. AZ length hc
is taken or the lOng-cOyctcd cNIcdltiOn-quDll
or partridge hunting, and tbcn alas from that
time on hr deliberately declines his share Of the
dairy work by giving a most ierocious growl,
whenever the churn appears III sight. Daring
the winter season the churHlng IL accomplished
by hand, aud Bob allowed his freedom. but when
spring opens Le returns chceriully to his duty.
4 few wears ago Ecmber OF the family was
He'd 10 the bedside OF sicl; friend, about a
mile distant. remaining several weeks. On the
lie door was opened, and there stood Bob; be-
ing allowed TO enter. his joy knew no bounds
Alter remaining short time. he was taken 10
the door with the explanation. lot. You must
20 home wIpTcupOr he GcUuYclY trottcl home
Each successive morning found Bob making his
morning call, which became rs much of settled
fact as that Of the attending physician bnt hc
always returned home upon Tprimand.
our hero il n most devoted irlend OF "a llttlc
miss of nine summers. One day last winter the
child wished 10 spend the day with a ncl3hbOr,
and her request being granted, she Immediately
sci forth \ short time after her departure,
Bob, having missed his juvenile companion
started in pursuit After searching in vain for
some time he became satisfied, and following
directly the trail. laid himself down at the door
where the child entered Not being received
very cordially, he resgncdly waited, and though
il, was a bitter cold day, he never left his self
annointed most of duty until messenger came
late at night to return with the child.
As a watchdog. Fob is decidedly compos men-
lis seldom allowing q tramp or pedlcr 10 enter
the premises, while at night he is always chained
securely Thus should neghbOring flock of sheep
be attacked, IL can't be laid to the charge OF our
pet. There many instances which might be
fellow which cannot here be recorded
While we acknowledge there are many useless