The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-18
CALVIN, 4 cBURCH GOING DOG.
And q YOUNG Setter That Taught Himself
to Say His Prayers.

Calvin, q distinguished looking yellow dog,
was first seen trotting down the streets II a Ten
nessee town upon a summer Sunday morning
Just az the church bells were ringing lie passed
the Methodist and the Baptist church without
even turning his head, halted tentatively al the en-
trance to the Episcopal church, but went IN 10 the
Old School Presbyterian church. which was
square and red. and uncompromising looking
si Tipped unobstruIyely inside. lay down in a side
aisle, dropped his nose between his paws, and paid
unvinking attention To a Blue Light sermon,
now and then softly humping the floor with his
tail at the most bristling doctrinal points
Thus he earned his name-Calyin. The town
laughed over IL, but took Calvin TO Its heart lie
was free Of every house, but boarded around In a
way to suggest itineran, experience lie would
60 three times q day for meals TO one particular
house for perhaps a week, then quarter himself
upon some family In quite another part Of town.
lie slept Away In the market house where the
town authorities had Sc, for him a snug kennel
He might have lived there altogether II he had
chosen the market keeper. in fact, was a little
touchy over the fact that Calvin would not eat
OF home But the dog chose his boarding house
and kept 10 II regularly, although sometimes
it was more than a mile from his proper abode.
He never missed a sermon or prayer meeting
at his own church unless some big man Of another
denomination Was preaching in town. Then
Calvin was sure to be among the big man = hearers.
Once when a Bishop came to preach for the Metho-
dists some lads tred to coax alvin to bis own prop
er place. He escorted them TO the door Of the
Presbyterian church, wagging his tail a. though
conscious OF a good deed, hut the minute they
stepped over the threshold, he turned and went
full. tilt for the Bishop n church, where he got
a place IN front OF the pulpit and listened decor
ouS!y for two hours,
He seemed 10 know ins,inctvely when dis
ting visitors were expected. No matter
whether they came by boat or Train or stage coach,
he was unfalingly on hand To greet them. and
missed a political speaking, though II he had a
preferences between Wing and Democratic ort
ioIy. he kept II to himself Way was made Tor
him every where. II the speaking or the sermon
was at night, 1t made no difference. II was the
same with arrivals and departures CALVIN
sped the parting as he had welcomed the guest
al any hour 81 the twenty foul.
How a creature So excellent. So dlgnified and
So well beloved, came 10 have an enemy is hard
to understand, II is likely he suffered for his
virtues, aad was poisoned by some scampish
thief intent on market plumber. lie was found
s,ih and cold in his kennel one morning he
city council voted him a funeral and passed reso
The whole town Was sad, and all the children
went 10 The funeral,
Near the same town lived a man much given
to hunting. He had a fine setter puppy the
playmate u his hall. dozen small children The
dog was wonderfully initiative, and al last caught
the trick Of saying his prayers He would spring
up in a chair, face about, put his fore paws upon
the back Of il, drop his head upon them, and not
STIR until somebody said Amen" That made
great, sport 10y the youngsters, but nobody
outside knew the puppy's accomplishment
By and by when he had grown into a fine,
lusty, young dog, Eypsie~ stole HIM and starred
away with HIM His master went after them,
but was told It was impossible that his dog could
be there. He described a pure white setter, The
only dog In camp was also n setter, but white
licked" with orange yellow, His eyes assured
him the gypsies spoke the truth there was the
dog with yellow fiecks all over His eyes also
assured him TINT the animal WAS his own in spite
OF the changed coat lie turned TO the gypsy
nearest and asked is yours a trck dog"
The man shook his head. saying He knows
nothing but 10 nun" The other man whlstled
slightly and said Say your prayers, Elmo"
Al ONCE the dog darted TO a chair beside the fire,
scrambled into II, put up his paws and dropped
bis head upon them AZ The call Of Amen"
he sprang down and raced 10 his master. who
took him home, yellow fecks TO the contrary
Notwithstanding