The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-11
FATHERS BURGLAR DOG.
[From Werner's Magazine.1

IRON
great many burglaries had lately
taken place in our neighborhood- and IA
t her came 70 the cohe4 US 1ldt II VII VIZ
dog would be the best for his purpose, so
he purchased the most savage and muir
derous specimen that he could find.
My mother was alarmed when she saw
that brute loose about the. house, she
see it in his face"
my father, Il want him to kill burglars
4 don't like to hear you talk like that,
Thomas answered mother It's not
like you. We've a right to protect our
property, but We've no right to take
fellow human creatures life
Our fellow human creatures will be all
right so long as they don't come into our
kitchen when they've no business there"
retorted my father, somewhat testify.
I'm going to fix up this dog in the soul
lery and if a burglar comes fooling around
well that's his affair
The old folks quarreled on and off for
about a month over this dog. The dad
thought the mater absurdly sentimental
and the mater thought the dad unneces-
sarilv vindictive. Meanwhile the dog grew
more ferocious looking every day.
One night my mother woke my father
up With Thomas. there's a burglar
heard the kitchen door open"
oh, well, the dogs got him by now;
heard nothing and was sleepy.
Thomas" replied my mother severely,
creature IS being murdered by a savage
beast. If you won't go down and save
'Oh. bother said my father. preparing
to get up. You're always fancying you
men come to BED tor-to SIT up ana listen
for burglars" Just to satisfy her, how
ever, he pulled on his trousers and socks
and went down.
Well, sure enough, my mother was right
this time; There was a. burglar In the
house The pantry window stood open,
and light was shining in the Kitchen
My father crept softly forward and peep
ed through the partly open door. There
sat the burglar. eating cold beef and
pickles, and there. beside him. on the floor
ling smile of affection, sat that idiot dog.
wagging his tail. My father was 50 taken
well, lin" and he used a word that
I should not care to repeat.
and got clear off by the window; ana the
dog seemed vexed with my father for
Next morning we took the dog back to
the trainer from whom he had bought it,
What do you think I wanted this dog
for?, asked my father, trying to speak
We'll" replied the trainer you said
Exactly 50, answered the dad. 81
didn't ask for a burglars companion did
J.? I didn't say I wanted a dog who'd
chum with burglar the first time he ever
came to the house, and sit with him while
he had his supper in case he might feel
lonely. did I ?" And my father rec0unted
the Incidents of the previous night.
The man agreed that there was some
is. sir he said. 1T was my boy jim as
yonhg begsar ere taagRt ana more ab5 5ne
tackling rats than burglars. You leave
We did so, and at the end Of the time
the trainer brought him back again.
.You'H ind i'm game enough. pow, sir"
said the man. p amt what j call an
Intellectual dawg, but think I've knock
ed the right idea into i'm
MY father thought he'd like to test the
to break in through the kitchen window,
while the trainer held the dog by a chain.
man was fairly inside Then he made one
savage spring at him. and If the chain
had not been stout the fellow would have
earned his shilling dearly
The dad was satisfied. now that he
could 90 to bed in peace; and the matters
was proportionately INCREASED,
another burglar. sampled our house. This
time there could be no doubt that the
dog was doing. something for his living.
The did in the basement was terrific The
house shook with the conclusion Of fall
ing bodies.
Ny father snatched up his revolver and
rushed down stars. and I followed him.
The kitchen was in confusion. Tables and
chairs We're overturned, and on the floor
lay Il man gurgling for help. The dog
was standing over him choking him
The pater held his revolver to the mans
ear, while l. by superhuman effort. drag
ged our preserver away and chained him
up to the sink after which I Ut the gas.
Then we perceived that the gentleman
on the floor was police constable.
dropping the revolver, how ever did you
come here2''
low did I come 'ere2" retorted the
man. sitting up and speaking in a tone
of bitter but not unnatural indignat ton
why. in the course Of my duty that's
'oW / come ere. I seet a burglar getting
in through the window so / just follows
my gentleman and slips in halter i'm"
ibid YOU catch him. asked my father
Did I catch 'fnl2'' almost shrieked the
man - 'Ow could HI catch i'm with that
blasted dog of yours 'olding me down by
the throat, while e light is pipe and