The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-06-09
The Story Of a Lost Dog

PRESUMABLY, don't like SO-called
domestic animals, and, therefore,
when my children came dragging after
them Scotch collie, with his hair all
matted and his muddy feet leaving
Dasty-lOoling tracks on the library
rugs, spoke to them rather sharply
and ordered Jawkins to kick the dog
out.
.But he's lost, papa" said my
eldest.
''Well, let him stay lost" Irespond-
ed, rather grufly.
81 speck somebody's nawful sorry to
lose him. said Jack, my five-year-old.
was busy with my essay on "The
, Milk of Human Kindness" so when
Jawkins (JawlSins is our general factO-
tum-my wife calls him the butler)-
dragged the dog out of my sight 1 for
got him. 1t seems the children Consid-
cred the dog as treasure-trOve, and
they took him out and locked him in
the stable, feeding him expensive
steaks, which they found in the larder.
He disturbed my rest that night with
his mournful bowling, and early in the
morning went down, opened the
stable door and turned him loose.
, Unfortunately, the treatment accord
ed that dog by my children had been
so generous that the dog had sense
enough not TO stay lost. For days he
continued to hang around my place,
making life miserable for me, and my
wife watched my cheeks growing sal
low and my appetite diminishing with
uncOnCealed alarm.
1t was rather arelief, therefore, when
on the fourth day she brought me a
copy of the News and pointed triumph
antly to the following advertisement:
FOUND-A SCOTCH COLLIE DOG; EvI-
IDENTIFY of fine breeding. The dog has
been at our house for four days. Owner
can regain possession Of the animal by ap-
plying in person and proving property. No
questions asked. Apply after nine a. m. at
1892 Delaware street.
Thanks, my. dear" l said, grateful
ly; 'do you think that will get rid of
him?"
''Not doubt of it, said my wife.
Next morning, having finished good
breakfast and being just settled down
to reading chapter 10 in Tupper's
''Moral Philosophy" there was a ring
at the front doorbell, and Jawlins
said:
"A gent to see you, sir"
"Show him up" I Ireplied, laying my
book down with sigh.
The individual who presented him
self and calmly took a seat in my new
Norris chair smirked and said:
81 am Rev. TheophiEus Jubes, Of the
Third Theosophical church. l called in
regard to the following:"
From his greasy garments he drew a
dirty copy of the News and pointed
with chubby forefnger to the adVer-
tisement inserted by my wife.
"Ah," said I. ''Yes, you want your
dog. He is now tied up in the stable.
Jawkins, show this gentleman his dog
Yes, sir" said Jawkins, leading the
TheOsOphist out.
In moment he returned. "Beg
pardon, sir, but there's three gents and
lady waiting to see you, SIR
Indeed" said I "shogv them up
one at time, Jawlzins."
The first visitor, clad in blue over
ais and carrying an odor of stale fish
about his person, came hesitatingly in,
looked with a'senile smile at the books
on the shelves, blushed a little as his
eyes lighted on a full-lehgth statuette
of Psyche and said:
I called about that dawg."
"Oh, yes" I replied. ''Very sorry
but the dog turns out to be the prop,
erty of minister. He is out in my
stable getting him, now"
''Well, but = that's - my-dawg-l
reckon" slowly drawIed my acquaint.
ance. ST seed-that- d.-last-night
/ live -Broad-Ripple. Lost
him week. 'Tain't-no-min-
ister's dawg."
What color was your dog?'' I asked
"Brindle-gr -gray-I-recllon, +" was ths
reply.
Well, I'm sorry, but this can't be
your dog, for he's black and tan"
Wall, " he replied, ''I-guess-then-
faint mine. Good-d -day-sir."
Good day. I reioined, shortly.
Bat stiA he fingered.