Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-13
Rex Guides His Master 10 All His
Customers.

Customers.
ne knows the customers and they
likewise know him.
Rex really does the principal part
OF the travelling. and his master. Miles
NJ. Goodwin. sells the goods. The
master IS blind. but with the travelling
ability Of Rex he Is able 20 cover his
territory as he did before he lost his
sight. Rex is his masters eyes.
Goodwin lives at New Castle. near
here. and the story OF his aHiction is
n pathetic one. He was a handsome.
well-built young man and popular
everywhere he went. lie made friends
and was a successful salesman. For
eleven years he sold clothing on the
road for an eastern firm Then blind.
ness came upon him. 4 few years ago
he was stricken with atrophy OF the
optic nerve and he lost his sight. He
spent years and large sums OF money
in trying 10 regain his vision. but IL
had gone.
Then Goodwin went Into business
at his home town. starting a cigar
jobbing house under The firm OF Good.
win & Ollie. Goodwin longed to be
on the road again for his own house. and
one day he had an Inspiration as he
observed the intelligence displayed
by his dog Rex. then a pup. The ex-
pertinent was tried and 70 proved sue.
cessful. but Rex was quick TO learn.
and Il was not Ions before he under.
stood that 70 was 20 be his work 10
guide his master from place 10 place.
Since he started he has never failed
for a single day 90 do his duty. When
he first made his trips with the dog
Goodwin had 20 inquire his way 10
the places he wished 10 visit. but
when once there ne introduced Rex.
and Rex never forgot
He now knows IAN the trade" in
the various towns the pair make"
and the customers always have a cor.
dial welcome for the Interesting sales
man.
Rex never makes any mistakes. He
takes his master directly 10 where he
wishes 10 go and loses no time In do
ing so. When they are through with
a town he leads the way to the proper
railway station.
Mr.. Goodwin holds him bv a strap
that Is fastened 90 the dogs collar and
a code OF signals has come 10 be IN
derstood by them so that each knows
the meaning Of every movement OF the
other. Goodwin can tell when he is az
street crossing by the manner in
which Rex ducks his head. giving the
strap slight jerk.
Rex guides his master across the
street safely. no matter how crowded
II may be. and steers him clear Of
street cars. automobiles and buggies.
Master and dog have never yet met
with an accident.
In violation Of all rules Rex rides In
the coaches Of all trains and inter.
urban cars in Indiana. for he is known
10 all the railroad folk. and all con
ductors have strict orders to carry the
dog.
Rex is a Gordon setter and is
handsome animal. Even though he has
the intelligence Of man and devotes
the most OF his time TO doing a mans
work he is still a dog. and when the
offers delights in doing some
of the things that il Is peculiarly and
particularly proper for a dog to do
such as running" a rabbit
One day recently Mr. Goodwin was
waiting to change cars at a little conn
try station. He took advantage of the
opportunity to give Rex a short out
ing, and, releasing the dog from his
strap. Rex was soon having The time OF
his life in field some distance away
AS time for the train to arrive an
preached Rex was still busy. and
finally Goodwin had TO send some men
after him. and the travelling salesdog
barely returned to his master In time
to catch the train.