The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-19
A TALE OF A DOG.
In II a Parrot and Small Boy Figure
Conspicuously.

| Considerable excitement was created
the other evening in a mansion on the
hill, which concerned a pollparrot, bull
dog, little Willie and the corner grocery
man. 1t all ended in the sad departure
of the pretty bird, the disposal of the
dog and the tears of little Willie's
mamma.
The corner groceryman gave the can
inc to Willie. Whether the action was
prompted by the cussedness of ne
| brindle beauty, generosity, or a desire
to hold the family trade does not ap,
pear. Zip was the dogs name, and he
killed chickens, brought mud into the
house, curled himself in big easy chairs,
and all that sort of thing. Neverthe,
less the dog stayed, because Willies
parents were very indulgent. When
| ever mamma cast reflections upon the
| beauty or usefulness OF Yip then little
| Willie made unpleasant remarks about
mammals pretty parrot, Poll. Papa
coincided with young America in his
reference to the bird, so there pre-
vailed forced triumvirate of peace
This is how it all happened:
| 1t was stormy evening when papa
and mamma had gone to the theater
after seeing the youngest member or
the household tucked snugly in bed.
| The maid was in the kitchen, Poll sat
upon her accustomed elevated perch,
| plucking at her feathers with the van
| ity that became her station and Zip lay
stretched on a rug befor cracking
CRATE fire. The rain patterd mourn
fully on the windows, the wind soughed
| ghost-like, stiffness reigned Within
and everything seemed favorable for a
high grade Wilkie Collins tragedy.
"Sic-c 'em," exclaimed a mysterious
voice-and still the crate fire cracked
and the brindle beauty slumbe:ed.
"Sis-c-c EN-" again sounded the voice
of mystery, and the brindle beauty
slumbered.
"Sic-c-c-c EN-" came the voice for the
third time in louder and more authorl-
tive tones. Yip's head was now ele-
waited and knowingly cooked to one
| side as he wondered if that afternoons
| chicken fight Nv whio' -
Willie and the chicken had participated
was a reality On Il dream.
Attributing the sound to delusion
he circled about on the rug, finally
dropping into a comfortable position
and going off into the seventh heaven
of dog dream. He was awakened by
another ghoullike 'sic-c EN-" and
scrambled hastily to a standing posi-
ton. His four crooked legs trembled
with excitement, which ended in trot
about the room. He shifted and poked
his stubby nose into all manner of
shadowy hooks, eventually returning to
the rug. Here he stood during
moment. with muzzle and abbreviated
tail erect, and wearing thoroughly
puzzled air. Suddenly he Whirled
about and cast a long and inquiring
look upon pretty Poll, who returned
the glance in kind. Zip, apparently sat
isfied, threw himself upon the rug to
continue his interrupted nap. His
wethermost eye was only partially
closed and his four stout legs were
gathered we'll beneath hiIp,s
The rain pattered, the Wind soughed,
the CRATE fire cracked; everything
seemed harmonious. Sharply the still
ness was broken.
"Sic-c 'em; sic-c-c EN-" came the
command with peculiar imperative
ness.
Then followed a black and gray
streak through the air in the direction Of
the bird of many colors. Il crash sound
ed, and out of the confusion came
deluge of shrieks, growls and general
turmoil.
When papa and mamma returned
from the theater divers portions Of
Polls late anatomy We're found in the
hall, parlor, library and dining room
Zip was chained for the night in the
barn for the first time since he had
been q member of the family. When
the corner groceryman's boy called at
the house in the morning Yip was, by
request, attached to the rear axle ana
conducted to further ordinary life midst
butter. cheese and eggs. When little
Willie rebelled against such ignominous
banishment, mamma used her slipper
and then had good cry"
It was reported later that the first day
Zip escaped the vigilance of the
groceryman he killed two cats and
eleven chickens, caused runaway, up
set bicyclist and at sundown was
looking for more worlds to conquer.