The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-08-14
, The Story Of a Lost Dog

OCCASIONALLY, 1 don't like so-calIed
domestic animals, and, therefore,
when my children came dragging after
them a Scotch collie, with his hair all
matted and his muddy feet leaving
nasty-looking tracks on the library
rugs, l spoke to them rather sharply
and ordered Jawkins to kick the dog
out.
but he's lost, papa" said my
eldest.
We'll, let him stay lost" I respond
ed, rather grufly.
Il speck somebody's nawful sorry to
lose him." said Jack, my five-year-old.
1 was busy with my essay on The
Milk of Human Kindness" SO when
Jawkins (Jawkins is our general facto-
tum-my wife calls him the butler)-
dragged the dog out of my sight l 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 mourpful bowling, and early in the
morning 1 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 ny 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 a relief. therefore, when
IN the fourth day she brought me a
copy of the News and pointed triumph
antly to the following advertisement:
FoUND-A SCOTCH COLLIE DOG; EVIL
IDENTIFY of fine breeding. The dog has
been at our house for four days. Owner
can regain possession of the animal by APP
plying. in person and proving property. No
questions asked. Apply after line a. m. at
6932 Delaware street.
Thanks, my dear" 1 said, grateful
"; "do you think that will get rid of
him?"
mot a doubt of ii" said my wife.
Next morning, having finished a 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 Jawkins
said:
"a gent to see you, sir"
"Show him up" 1 replied, laying my
book down with a sigh.
The individual who presented him
self and calmly took a seat in my new
Morris chair smirked and said:
81 am Rev. Theophilus Jubes, of the
Third Theosophical church, l called in
regard to the following:"
From his greasy garments he drewa
dirty copy of the News and pointed
with a chubby foretinger 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"
Eyes, sir" said Jawkins, leading the
Theosophist out.
In a moment he returned. BEG
pardon, sir, but there's three gents and
a lady waiting to see you, sir"
Indeed" said /; show them up
one at a time, Jawkins."
The first visitor, clad in blue over
alls 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 f%ull-length statuette
of Psyche and said:
81 called about that dawg."
"0h. yes" | replied. very sorry,
but the dog turns out TO be the prop
erty of a minister. He is out in my
stable getting him. now"
well, but - that's my-dawg-I
reckon" slowly drawled MY acquaint-
nnce. 81 Observation-Disclosures.
l live Observation-Disclosures. lost
-him-last-week. 'Tain't-no-min-
ister's dawg."
What color was your dog?' I asked
him.
neutrality-suspicious." was the
reply.
We'll, 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-day-sir."
Good day reioined, shortly.
But still he fingered.
Pardon me-" l said. There are 9TH
ers waiting to see me-"
"Yes-l-know. Only-only-only-
you-see-'t-cost = me-ten-cents-
10 = come in-here-from-Broad-
Ripple-'n' L thought"
"~Jawkins!" | shouted, "show the
next man ill.,"
The next man was a colored man.
who was evidently employed in the
embarrassing business. He was white
everywhere except on his skin. and he
powdered lime all over my APARTMENT.
"Jes' called t see bout that dorg,
mister" he explained, with q grin.