The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-08-22
"SHUCKS."
An DAD Town Character Who Knew
All About Dogs.

All About Dogs.
"Shucks7 is tall and lanky of
frame. His face is tanned a bright
brown and his tawny hair bleached
by sunshine. His raiment is not
good. At a distance, says the
Youths Companion, you might
think him a rough fellow; but when
you get closer and note the almost
feminine tenderness of the mouth
and the mild gray eyes, you need no
further assurance as to his gentle
ness. Shucks' profession is to know
dogs. He is not a fancier or a breed
er; he is not even a dog owner. Mrs.
Shucks will not allow it. Yet all
dogs seem to recognize him as their
master.
The courthouse steps have long
been the vantage point from which
Shucks views the curious folk who
allow themselves to be driven hither
and thither by affairs. On the lower
steps one may find sunshine; on
the upper, shade, and room to stretch
ones legs. 1t is there hat Shucks
holds daily a kind of dog reception.
You may see them, dogs of all de-
gree; curly black and brown span
iels, full of f%rolic; little fox-terriers,
all muscle and nerves; sedate New
foundlands, staggering bulldogs,
apologize hounds, and ours of such
mixed blood that no expert could
name their origin.
For each Shucks has a word and
a pat. Even the strange ours that
come through town under wagons
or carriages appear to know that the
lanky man on the courthouse steps
is worthy Of attention, and they trot
up unhesitatingly for a sniff of his
hand.
"Ain't nothing to it at ALL" says
Shucks. q just like dawgs, an
natch'ly dawgs likes me-"
Everyone in town has come to rec
ognize that Shucks is a specialist in
dogs. So when the one rich man of
whom the village boasts had trouble
with his big mastiff watch dog he
sent for Shucks. In his own good
time, up to the fine new house on the
hill slouched Shucks, walking I'M
hurried, as beitted one of large
leisure. He found the capitalist q
very angry man.
"That brute has pretty well
chewed up two of us" he declared,
"and now I've got him shut in the
carriage housed If you'll get him
out dead or alive, I'll give you five
dollars"
Shucks heard without comment
and strolled toward the carriage
house.
"Come back, you fool" roared the
capitalist. Don't go in there with
out a club"
But Shucks paid no heed. He
opened the carriage house door and
closed it behind him. Expectantly
the millionaire listened for the
struggle. 1t did not come. -Four,
five, almost ten minutes passed.
Then Shucks reappeared, a panied
look in his eyes and a frmer set to
his jaw than usual.
Glow long you been keeping
that dawg chained up, mister?" he
demanded.
ooh a couple of weeks" said the
capitalist.
Ever give him any water?"
"Why, | suppose John attended to
that"
'TYou suppose SOL Who beat him
over the head? John?"
81 guess both Of us did some; you
don't expect we were going to let the
brute tear us to pieces, do your"
Shucks was through talking. HI
drew a pail of water and went back
into the carriage house. A quarter
Of an hour later he came out, the
mastiff walking by his side and lick.
ing his hand.
'Don't suppose you want him
round any more do you, mister?'
asked Shucks.
"Well, not alone" said the cap.
%italist, promptly. @But I'll tell you