The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-07-04

nOtTS. though they are frequently
IL very intelligent and affectionate
and display great devotion to their
masters, are not always perfectly
trustworthy under certain circum-
stances. / have learned by bitter eN-
perience that, thO&gh a dog may be
very affectionate towards his friends,
he will perhaps display intense hatred
FOR those he considers enemies, and
will even exhibit jealousy almost
incredible, one might think, in the
brute creation.
Some years ago, while | was still a
struggling barrister. | received a let
ter from a friend asking if | cared to
accept collie pup. as he possessed
litter and would be glad to get rid of
some of the animals. They were eN-
cellently bred he added, both sire and
dam having been prize winners. As !
had been thinking of getting dog,
this offer came OPPORTUNITY, so | inn
mediately accepted il.
A few days afterwards a hamper ar
rived. and in it was the most delight
full little golden collie imaginable,
looking for all the world like a fox
cub, with his beady little eyes, very
sharp nose and erect ears.
From the very first, | am afraid,
spoilt Bruce terribly. but he soon be-
came my devoted companion and play
fellow. OF course, it was a consider
able time before he was strong enough
to go for long walks: but from the
first, even'a puppy just able to joe
along, no followed me faithfully, and
| never had the slightest fear of losing
him.
AS he grew older and developed
greater intelligence | taught him
many tricks. He 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 him 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
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
eral 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 | went away
even for day; and when | returned
he was almost beside himself with de-
light. In short. he was of hysterical
disposition Gf such a term can prop
erly be applied to a dog): but he GER
tainly never showed any signs of real
vice.
Time passed on. Bruce was becom.
ing quite a middle-aged dog of some
five or, six years, and | had succeeded
in carving out a very fourishing prac-
tice The strug, ling barrister of some
years ago was now a highly-success-
full man, with an income running well
into four figures. Bruce, who had be-
come more sedate, was still my faith
full companion, and was a very model
of good behavior.
AS people in comfortable cirrum-
stances are apt to do, | began to think
seriously of the advantages and disad-
vantages Of bachelor life. After Civ
ing the matter serious consideration
| came to the conclusion that matr.
mony had no attractions for me- a
wife was generally a nuisance, and
children positive pests. Why, if Others
were foolish enough to marry, let
them do so; but at any rate, ! was
sensible. and would live and die q
bachelor.
That was before | met Eleanor.
After | met her ! had very different
views, and thought that a bachelors
existence, even at its best, was
wretched one. In short, fell in love;
but that is another story" Suffice
it to say that the most charming and
beautiful girl is now my wife. / was
in possession of an adequate income
and Eleanor was also blessed with az
ample share of this worlds goods:
therefore. as the attachment was mu-
tual, we decided to get married with
out delay.
During my engagement, am afraid,
Bruce was not made so much of as
formerly; in fact, so far as | was con-
cerned, he was quite neglected He
seemed to realize that he had been
supplanted in my affections, and some
times looked up at me in the singu-
larly wistful and pathetic way collies
and other dogs look at persons they
are fond Of
One day Eleanor and her mother
came TO tea at my rooms; and Bruce,
evidently understanding at once that
she was his rival, sulkily retired into
corner, where he lay for some time,
and only growled when spoken to.
However, | insisted on his coming out
and showing off his tricks. Eleanor,