The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-04-26

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nOGS. though they are frequently
~ very intelligent and affectionate,
and display great devotion to their
masters, are not always perfectly
trustworthy under certain circum-
stances. i have learned by bitter ex-
perience that, though n dog may be
very afrectionate towards his friends,
he will perhaps display intense hatred
for those he considers enemies. and
will even exhibit n jealousy almost
incredible, one might think, in the
brute creation.
Some years ago. while | was still .
struggling barrister. | received a let
Ter from a friend asking if cared to
accept a collie pup. as he possessed a
otter and would be glad to get rid Of
some of the animals. They were ex-
rellcntly bred. he added, both sire and
dam having been prize winners. AS |
had been thinking of getting a dog,
this offer came opportunity, so i'm
mediately accepted it.
A few days afterwards q hamper ar
rived. and in il vas the most delight
full little golden collie imaginable,
docking for all the world like a fox
cub. with his beady little eyes, very
sharp nose and erect ears.
From the very first. 1 am afraid. l
-spoilt Bruce terribly. bat he soon be-
came my devoted companion and play
fellow. OF course, il was n consider
able time before he was strong enough
to go for long walks; but from the
first, even as a puppy just able to jog
along, he followed me faithfully, and
I had the slightest fear of losing
dim.
As he grew older and developed
greater intelligence / taught him
many tricks. lie would fetch my slip
pers in the evening from my bed
room: would retrieve from almost any
conceivable spot; and If | wanted to
get rid of Aim when out of doors
had only to say, go home, Bruce"
and he would be off homewards as
straight as an arrow. In fact. he was
a treasure.
Notwithstanding the good points ]
have mentioned. at times he showed
traces of a nasty temper with stran-
gers, and was guilty of taking a dis
like to individuals and showing that
dislike in no half-hearted way. Sew
seral times ! had to thrash him severe
ly for flying at people. However, he
never actually bit anyone.
He was quite devoted to me. and
absolutely miserable if l went away
even for a day: and when / returned
he was almost beside himself with de
light. In short. he was of a hysterica
disposition (f such a term can prop
erly be applied to a dog,: but he Ger
tainly never showed any signs Of rea
vice.
Time passed on. Bruce vas hecom
eng quite a middle-aged dog of SOM
five or six years. and l had succeeded
in carving out a very flourishing prac
<ice. The struggling barrister Of som
years ago was now a highly-success
full man, with an income running wei
into four figures. Bruce, who had be
com more sedatc. was still my faith
full companion. and was a very mode
of good behavior.
Ms ItOIi III Naoft ~
stances are apt to do, ! began to thinl
seriously Of the advantages and disad
v~antages of bachelor life. After Civ
ing the matter serious consideration
1 came to the conclusion that matri
mony had no attractions for me. 4
wife was generally a nuisance, an
children positive pests. Why. If other
were foolish enough TO marry. lie
them do So; but. at any rate. / wa
sensible, and would live and die
bachelor.
That was before / met Eleanor
After / met her / had very differen
views, and thought that a bachelor
existence, even at its best. was
wretched one. In short, ! fell in love
but "that Is another story" .Sufic
at to say that the most charming an
beautiful girl Is now my wife. ! wa
in possession Of an adequate income
and Eleanor was also blessed with a
ample share Of this worlds goods
therefore. ms the attachment was IN,
tual, we decided to get married will
out delay.
During my engagement, | am afrai,
Bruce was not made so much OF q
formerly; in fact. so far as ! was cor
ccrncd. he was quite neglected. II
seemed to realize that he hal bee
Supplantcd in my affections, aud som'
times looked up at me in the sing'
iariy wistful and pathetic way collie
and other dogs look ut persons the
are fond cf.
Oms day Eleanor md her moths