New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-21
4 DOG ~ CH1NCERf
STORY OF THE FAITHFUL DANDY.


A well-known gambler named Belts who died
few wears ago in Washington. left will. which was
contested A woman appeared mourning him as
widow although she and Belts had parted long
enough before 1t seemed from his WILL ior ifetts
to forget her entirely. Among the property, when
was to remain IN chancery pending the decision IN
the will case was a fine thoroughbred Scotch ter
rier Dandy. He had seen life-this veteran shaggy
bohemian. little Dandy. He and twin brother had
been sent across the ocean to this country when
they were almost too young to know the difference
between the sea and the dry land Dandy was on
his way to a NewYorker. The other dog was the
property of the sporting man who was bringing the
dogs TO this country. On the passage over Dandys
brother died And. oddly enough, Dandy never
reached the New York man. who received instead a
note from his sporting friend saying that the ami
nal had died the passage. So Dandy took the
place of the deceased dog. and his career began
when he was purchased for pretty little sum by
the noted Mr. Belts.
From that time until the gambler died Belts and
Dandy were nseparabe. They crossed and re-
crossed the Continent together many times. Dandy
knew the streetr Of Helena. OF SEATTLE and OF san
Francisco He saw Salvador win his great race. lie
was wide awake at night and In the daytime eX-
tremely dull lie wary as his master. and
he never lost his head. He was gracious to every
one but in an intimate way There was Only
one person in the world for him. and perhaps ne
pited the world because there was only one Mr.
Belts In II and all other dogs because they
did not belong TO Belts. So. when the one
person in all the world died, Dandy hung
his head and his tail dropped. and he UNI
doubtedly hated life. His Importance az dog
in chancery did not affect him. and when the ques-
ton arose about the disposal Of the dog until the
decision the will case. since he could not be shut
up in vault with the other property, he maintained
an attitude OF perfect Indifference.
Finally. the Register OF Wills took charge OF the
dog and Dandy. for the first time In his life knew
a home Il is certain that he did not like the at
mosphere at first He had. and did not fail to show
the utmost scorn for the other domestic animals
about the place That he not expected to chase
the cats astonished him. and he seemed 10 regard
the other dogs babies In experience. Before Ions
however 1t seemed to enter his mind that there
might be a sort OF pleasure In showing on before
these inferior creatures. and adopting an indulgen
and patronzing air toward the other inmates Of the
house beast and man. he went through his accom-
plishments with dignity and apparent enjoyment
He had vocabulary OF hundred words that Is.
he understood that many-snd II IT. fetching things
TO order from an upper story he sometimes brought
a toothbrush instead OF a slipper h. remedIed his
mistake With as little Confusion AZ possible ,.
Gradually he seemed to discern In the Register
attributes OF the dearly loved Mr. betts. lie
found that gamblers were after an men ana that
his heart away again. and loved the Register OF
Wills. and his new master loved him
came necessary to transfer the estate and Dandy
with IL 10 the victorious widow. the Register OF
Wills rebelled vigorously. lie offered an absurdly
large sum OF money for the dog Iis e.en a..
tempted 10 give him a bad name. In order TO take
away his desrablity in the eyes OF Mrs icts
But she could be moved. She shed a few tears
and declared that the last time sh" had seen nor
dear Mr. Belts. Dandy had been with him. ana that
she must have the dog.
The next day set FOR the separation ana
Dandy's friend the Register Of wills. had he dog
carried 10 the Office OF the widows lawyer. When
Dandy realized what was 10 happen ms faithful
soul revolted He had submitted to his new master
after the death Of Belts, and that was AL that
could he expected Of him. He might have become
reconclled to "A man. but to be dominated by "A
WoYnan-that was more than he could endure. lie
fed from the widows fearful caresses. ana, watch
ing his opportunity. dashed through an open door
and down the street to the city Han Inc Register
~ Wills was sitting I'm his Office. when ne heard
a little patter in the hall. and there Dandy was, IN
his lap. with his paws upon the man s shoureIs
and his head nestled against the others race Ihcy
went together But II did no good. " only mean,
another parting. and Dandy was hnaly carried
away.