The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-04-08
L was Newfoundland doc.
born OF reputable parents at
Back Arm and decently bred

II AhAAh AZ AAA anu NANNNA'NAf 80 ~
in Ruddy Cove, which is ON
the northeast coast. He had black
hair short straight and wiry,-the
curly-haired breed has failed on the
island.-an broad, ample shoulders.
which his forbears had transmitted 20
him from generations of hauling
wood.
He was heavy, awkward and ugly.
resembling somewhat great draft
horse. But he pulled with viii.
Tended FOR himself, and within the
knowledge OF men had never stolen
fish: so he had n high place i'm the
hearts of all the people of the Cove,
and safe one in their estimation
Skipper! Skipper, Here, by"
The ringing call, in the voice of
young Billy Topsan, his master a
tisherman's son. never failed To bring
the dog from the Kitchen with an
eager rush, when the snow lay deep
on the rocks and all the paths of the
wilderness We're ready for the sled.
He stood stock-still for the harness,
and ut the first Hi, by. Gee up
there he bounded away with Il
hAEElAAR AdlA anu EldAl bslA II. II W aln
as if nothing pleased him so much on
n frosty morning as the prospect of u
hard days work.
If the call came IN summer-t time
when the Skipper was DOING IL the
cool shadow of a hake,-a platform
OF boughs for drying tish.-he
scramled to his feet, took his clog In
his mouth and ran, all a-quiver for
what might come. TO where young
Billy waited. Gn Newfoundland the
law requires that all dogs shall be
clogged as precaution against their
killing sheep and goats which run
wild. The clog is in the form Of a
billet of wood, weighing at least
seven and half pounds, and tied to
the dogs neck) II the clog were
taken Off,-as it was almost sure TO
bet meant sport in the water
Then the Skipper would paw the
ground and whine until the stick was
flung out for him. But best Of all he
loved to dive for stones
At the peep OF many a day, too, lac
went out in the punt to the fishing
grounds with Billy Topsail, and there
4N'BA Liz Ahu SObh Company All NAlN
day long. 1t was because he sat on
the little cuddy in the bow, as II
keeping a lookout ahead, that he was
called the Skipper.
Sure, it's n clever dog. that" was
Billy's boast. He would save life
that dog would"
This was proved beyond doubt whcr
little Isaiah Tommy Goodman toddleC
over the wharfhead, where ne had beer
playing with a squid. Isaiah Tommy
was four years old and would sure
~ have been drowned had not the Skip
per strolled down the wharf just n
that moment.
The Skipper was obedient to thu
instinct of all Newfoundland docS t.
drag the SONS of men from the water
He plunged h. and caught Isaiah Tom
my by the collar of his pnafore. Still
following his instinct, he kept tn,
child's head above water with power
full strokes Of his fore paws while h,
lowed him to shore. Then the outcry
which Isaiah Tommy Immediately Sc
up brought his mother TO complete
the rescue.
For this deed the Skipper was petite,
day and half, and fed with frieo
caplin and salt pork to his cylden
qualification. No doubt me- was per
suaded that he had acted worthilv
However that be. he continued ii
merry moods, I'm anectiouatp behavior
in honesty although the fish wer,
even then drying ON the flakes. all OK
posed, and ne carried his clog 1870 .