The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-02-17
RAILROAD JACK.
The Story of An Intellectual Dog and
His Perpetual Travels.

Railroad Jack is attached to the rail-
way mail service, and has a rowing
commission. He is about seven years
of age, aud ever since his second year
he has been one of the greatest travel
lers of this country. Jack has a great
fondness for mail-bags. He never
cares long for any particular one, but
seems to have an idea that the entire
business is under his charge, and he is
perpetually travelling about to make
sure that everything goes right. Jack
halls from Albany, and his name in
private life is Owney; but Railroad
Jack is his travelling name, and the
one that has become famous. He
wears broad leather collar, which
has attached a nickel-plated badge
reading, ''Post-office Owney. Albany,
New York;; but beyond this distin-
| gushing mark, Jack is a citizen of the
entire country. Albany, however, IS
very proud of her representative, and
Jack condescends to make his head
quarters there, where there is special
apartment for his use.
Five years ago Jack made his first
trip. He went to Boston by way of
the Boston and Albany Railroad, and
|
that route with special favor. His ex-
perience happened in this manner. A
certain mailbag in the Albany Post
office took his fancy, ami when the
BAG was carried to the station, Jack
went along with it. When it was
thrown into the baggage-car, Jack fol-
lowed, and he stuck by that particular
bag until it reached the Boston Post
| oft of
was over, and that very same night he
took another mailbag under his pro-
lection, and saw it safe to it's destina-
ton in Maine.
AS this was Jacks first trip, he was
not acquainted along the lines, and for
three weeks he was unheard from.
Then he walked into the Albany Post
Office one day, wagging his stumpy
tail, and saw that a certain bag was
all right. Everybody was muct
amazed over his wonderful trip, but il
turned out to be mere run around
the block compared with his later
travels. The fondness for rowing wa
awakened in Jacks heart, and a shor
time after he went away again, anC
was absent two months. The mer
that knew him regarded him as los
this time without doubt; but one day
they read in a paper that Jack haC
arrived in New Orleans. He wa
identified by his collar, and for th
first time Jack began to receive news
paper notoriety.
Then he left New Orleans. stoppin!
over here and there when it pleaset
him, and by degrees he travelled tn
length of the country. And where d
You suppose he ended this wonderful
journey? Away up north, at st. John
, New Brunswick. There is no doubt c
the truth of this, for the newspaper
kept track of him all the way, and h
became famous. Just think of thi
wonderful dog going that distance b
! himself! Since that time he has bee
> TO San Francisco, and has covered tn
: entire length and breadth of the Unite
=, States. He has visited nearly ever
large city in the country, and has gon
I through the Eastern States so ofte
f that every railroad postal clerk know
him.
Jack is thorough Yankee in HI
: tastes, and decidedly independent, br
seems to like the East BEST especial
the Boston and Albany Railroad, upo
o which he made his first trip. He
y never molested. but allowed to do {
y he pleases. and is always well treated
a 1t will not be well for any outsider
meddle with the bags Jack has
? charge. and Jack seems always
! know what man has the right. Il
q was in wreck once, and was though
to have been killed; but when tt
a mail-bags reached their destination
;, Jack was with them. A little viii
$ ago he paid d flying visit to New Yorl
o aud then started East again. where
is probably now raveling.-HdrpeT
Young People.