The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-03-11
The Interesting Story of a Fam1uI
Mans Dog.

Mans Dog.
nv Mary T. j. Kelley ia Phiiadelphiq Times.
Gilbert Hamilton used 10 say: ~
thank divine Providence for having
invented dogs, aud | regard that man
with wondering pits who can lead a
doelcss life" All the boy, and a
good many girls, viii agree with him
that without ToNser or Tiger 90 join in
their rompH or nnrles half the plea
ures Of iif. woald bc lo-f
Perhaps they will moi be surprised
10 hear that most famous men have
thought just as they do about IT, There
was Sir Walter Scott, who would hard
IL stir about AbbOtsford without hav-
ing troop of dogs at his heels. He
loved his pets - well that when
Mazda, a greyhound, had cold, he
used 10 get ont of his ctrriaee and car
r. her over the mud puddles 20 that
she might not get her feet wet Wag-
ner, the composer, was never without
a faithful dog epmpa1iou from the be-
ginning to the end of his life.
WhIttier's dogs are familiar to every
one. Robin, great shepherd dog,
was a favorite with the great poet, and
one of his pictures shows him living
at the foo; Of the largest Norway
spruce in New England
President Garfield was also a dog
lover, a. became a country-bred man.
Veto was one Of the best-known Of his
dogs. He was familiar figure 10 the
hordes Of politicians who flockcd 20 the
farm at Mentor after General Garfield
was nominated for the Presidency.
Veto never approved of them, either.
When the first party came 70 cong-at-
ulate the general ou his nomination
Veto me. them halfway in the lsns
and disputed further advance with
many barazs and growls. Not until
his master appeared and assured him
that it was all right would The dog let
them pass.
Veto was fine Newfoundland dog
Of large breed lie had "a white face
and shirtfront and the tip Of his tail
and his paws were white, too. He
was little puppy when Garfield got
him, bat in two years he had grown
into an immense and very intelligent
dog Of most digniiied manner. He
was intensely devoted 70 his master,
bnt he never took kindly 70 tls crowds
that besieged I.awufield after the gem
eral went into national politics.
Neto's evident unlitne-- for public
life resulted in his being le:t behind
when the Garfield family removed 70
Washington after the election, and he
never saw his master again. After the
Presidents death he was given 90 a
fuuily al Cie~elaud, Ohio.
In hi~ new home he considered the
barn and it, belongs his especial
charge. One night he barSed inces--
antly, bat his new owner paid no AZ
tention. Then Veto how.ej until, in
desperation, his master got of bed and
went to the barn prepared to give the
dog something more than "a talking IN.
What hs found, however, made him
change his mind. y valuable hors-
had got loose and was tearing around
the barn in danger Of iHjUring himself
and the other animals. Veto had sue
ceeded ia seizing the halter and there
he stool. holding the end in his mouth,
while the horse was vaiEly plungiHg
and trying TO get away.
According 10 another story when
the family camc home late one night
from q country fair they heard Veto
barking frlntira!ly in the barn. The
rninate the door was opened he rushed
10 another barn several rods distant
and close 20 hosi~e oecupied by a
large family vino were all asleep. His
master called him in vain aad was
about TO Use force 20 bring him
home. when he saw little tongue Of
flame shoot oJt Of the roof Of a neigh
h1r'- barn. Another and another fol-
lowed until the whole building was
ablaze.
Before the fire department arrived
the barn was destroyed aad the house
was saved only through the heroic 81
forts Of the ncighbors. Had it not
been for Ve,o's ability 70 scenJ danger
and his intelligence IN warning people
who Snew what to 10 about it, tie
whole family woulj probably have
been burned 20 death
Perhaps yog woJid like to know
how Veto came by his curious name.
About the time when the little New
foundland puppy was given to General
Garfield, q bill was was passed by Con-
gress abolishiHg the Office Of Marshal
of election. General Garfield dill not
approve of this action and when the
President vetoed the bill, be was 80
mach pleased that he called his dog
Veto In hrau- Of the event.