The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-30

Prelude in c sharp minor, OPP. 3, No. 2


To the Editor OF the Indianapolis journal:
I am not what is commonly known as a
humanitarian or sanitarian. but have been
a good deal interested in what has been said
for and against the Frances Power Cobbe
refuge, and my interest led me to make
visit to that institution to-day. | started
without any very definite idea of it's loca-
ton, supposing from the statements l. had
read that it's unsanitary condition would
lead me there without much search. L
passed the house, however, but on returning
was attracted by the sign. | walked up to
the front door and rang the bell, which was
a signal for the greatest chorus of barks
that l ever heard in my life, which made
me fear | would shortly be bombarded.
There seemed to be several soloists among
them, for there was the deep bass bark
and the philosophical bark: one big dog had
a genial way of joining in, as though he
parked merely to oblige the other dogs;
but the grand master of all was one that
started out in sort of agitato movement
and ended with long snort. Finally L
heard footsteps, and an old gentleman APP
peared, accompanied by the soloist still
barking and snorting. This particular dog,
l afterwards learned, was called the super
intendent. He implied by his appearance
this very title. His breed was a mixture of
every variety of dog known to man-in other
Words, Just plain dog. Everything about
him, his Whole visage, seemed to stick up;
his mead, his nose, his eyes, his tail, his
toe nails-in fact every bristle on his long
back. / was led through the house into the
back yard by Mr.. Elster, and here [ beheld
a collection of about fifty dogs and cats
living together in a state of peace and
renity. The cats had no arched backs di-
lated tails, corrugated brows nor open,
yaWnlng mouths, as one expects to see
when dogs are around, but they loled about
in the cherry tree, on the ledge of the fence,
on the roof of the house ana on every step
of the stepladder that leaned against the
barn was nice, sleek cat. / stood in the
middle of the yard III conversation with
Mr.. k.lster when / heard a bark and a pro-
longed snort and a screen door slam. There
was scattering of cats and the 'superin-
tendenr' rushed through the grape arbor
into group of dogs, tnat STOOD in the far
end of the yard. Everything about him
stuck up as he went about from dog to
dog, in earnest conversation. as though he
was the boss just got back He grabbed
wild yell arose, Mr.. Elster made pass at
him with a barrel stave, and the superin-
tendent subsidized into insignihcance.
The little dogs and the cats all sleep In
a room off from the house, while the big
dogs sleep on the second floor of the barn.
In the center of the barn is arranged a
large cannon stove so that it heats the
chicken coop, dog dormttory and pony stan.
The pony is worthy of particular mention.
He is a white, stubby little fellow, and
strongly suspect him to be lineal descend
ant of Whsker, the pony that belonged TO
Mr. and Mrs Garland. in "Old Curiosity
Shop" Up in the loft was shepherd dog
she is the proud mother of nine blue-eyed
woolly little puppies AS l entered she lay
down in the middle of the floor and the
puppies began 10 dine "tete-a-tete." This
mother raised her head as 1 came up to the
little family and / want to say here that
if those petitioners could nave seen the ex-
preston in that mothers eyes as / saw II
every one of them would withdraw their
names from that document abolishing this
paradise for homeless cats and dogs. In
that dogs eyes ! saw an expression of sat
isfaction and gratitude that | never saw in
human eyes
Through its novel and humane character
this institution has become widely known
throughout the country and many have
been modelled after 1t. one on much larger
scale in Washington, ID. c. Now, l main
tain that ii would be a shame and q dis
grace to the city of Indianapolis TO have
the news spread abroad that this insttu-
ton has been closed by order of the city
authorities There are many stables in the
residence district of Indianapolis in far
worse sanitary condition than this mans
simple yard and barn. Some of the petit
toners and even those active In the can
vass for petitioners live a distance of a
square and a half away. How It's sanitary
condition can affect them l cannot under
stand.
/ believe that this institution SHOULD be