The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-02
THE poLIcEMEN,s MASCOT.
A Homely Little Terrier Which Brings
Them Luck-His Doubtful Origin.


Johnny is not boy this time, but
dog-a communicating, brown-yellow ter
rier. He is the mascot of police headquar-
tiers. Johnny knows every man in town
VINO wears the blue coat and brass buttons,
and, with few exceptions, he refuses to
enlarge his acquaintance. He is very dig
niiied, for dog, and, though small and
honely, he viii not take up with any
other dogs, no matter how handsome.
Johnny has special dislike for hobos and
Cinnamon, and at the first sight of them
he makes most telling and savage on
slaught on their shins.
Johnny is the policemen's pet, and when
he is around they know they will have
good luck and plenty of it.
The ancestry of Johnny is quite an un-
settled question. Captain John Kelley
first got him when he was pup, two years
ago, and reared him carefully. Captain
Kelley claims that Johnny was presented
to him as token of regard for deed of
bravery, by the Prince of Wales. An
evil-minded policeman has circulated
the report that the pup was left
who concluded that, since Johnny was the
homeliest and weakest in a litter of ten
pups, he would part with him, and SO
dropped him in the first yard he came to-
and that yard happened to be Kelley's.
Captain Kelley strongly denies this story,
and alleges that it was circulated by
malicious person who was jealous because
he had found favor with the prince.
In time even Captain Kelley himself be-
gan to think that Johnny's royal ancestry
was rather shady, and, this opinion grow
ing to conviction, he gave the dog to Lieu
tenant Bowers. Bowers at one time al
legged that he knew for a fact that Johnny
Ax.f<~ - =. --fx
ever that Is, it is not safe to say, for at the
present time he is strongly convinced the
dog is from the royal kennel owned by the
Prince of Wales.
Lieutenant Bowers laid sole claim to
Johnny until few weeks ago, at which
time he borrowed a jackknife from Lieu
tenant Sullivan. Lieutenant Bowers lost
the jackknife and, as he failed to return it
or its equivalent, Lieutenant Sullivan
claimed a lien on Johnny. He says he will
keep account of the interest on the value
of the knife at the rate of 10 per cent. and
will soon claim the dog in payment.
Johnny does not mind the controversy
as to his ownership, and, while the two
heutenants smoke and argue about 1t, he
rolls on his back contentedly or scratches
at his bountiful crop of IDEAS.
Johnny was master of all he surveyed
until week ago, and since then his temper
has soured; he is morose and spends the
most of each night on the corner, bowling
at the moon. The cause of his discomfort
is a handsome Newfoundland puppy
which was presented to the chief, and
which now shares the honors at head
quarters. Despite the new puppy's tire
less endeayors, Johnny will not be
friendly, and is no more contented.
Lieutenant Bowers came across Johnny
bowling on the street corner the other
night and said:
what the matter, Johnny; amt they
treating you good? I'll pay Sullivan for
that knife lost, and take you home with
me. / will. so help me.'
Johnny howled the louder and then
rolled over on his back. This was taken as
a sign of pleasure and acquiescence in the
plan. So there now remains but one thing
for the chief to do: either send away the
Newfoundland puppy or the police lose
their mascot