The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-09-17
OLD WHISPERS,
HIS HEART BROKEN
His Companion, His Master,
Passes Away-Whiskers
Is DiscOnsOlate.
REFUSES TO EAT AND
IS STARVING TO DEATH
Niger Jim" Dead, His Faith
full Dog Appears Anxious
to Join Him.

Does dog die Of broken heart? The
question has been asked many times: and
vain efforts have been made by scientists.
psychological and otherwise, to prove
that a dog cannot die OF a broken heart,
but instances which are happening every
day go to prove the contrary, Man has
two friends, two that can be depended
upon, throughout years Of mlstreatment.
cuffs, kicks and curses, two that will
never forsake the object of their affec-
tions, no matter how low he may get. or
how brutal he may be. the horse and the
dog love him still. even though the whole
world turn against him,
An occurrance which has attracted the
attention of those who frequent the MIN
ing camp at Bingham is the case OF
"Whiskers." peculiar-looklng poodle.
Two weeks ago "Whiskers" was a
his master. "Nigger Jim otherwise
known as James Gugsby. "Whiskers"
was contented. For years had these two
battled life together. For years had these
two shared their crust In common COM
panionship, when the hard times were
upon them. For years had these two, In
separable in their friendship, their af-
fectIon for each other. been buffeted
about the world, with only an occasional
istence, with only an occasional meal.
which, though common to o great degree.
was a feast for both.
Nigger Jim Character.
"Nigger jim" was a character with
which one seldom meets. Having few
friends, a man who, by reason Of his
color was cut OFF from intercourse with
the white element, he centered his af
fections upon "Whiskers." When he was
In trouble, when he was hungry, when he
was down cast and sad, "Nigger Jim"
would take the dog upon his knee, would
place his hands affectionately on either
side OF "Whiskers's" mottled, ragged
head, and would pour out his troubles
into the sympathetic ears of the faithful
old dog "Whiskers" was his one COM
panion his one confidants his one solace
Ia a world that had given him but little
at best.
'Whiskers" was fond OF the colored
man. To him "Nigger Jim" represented
the world, represented all that was good
and true; to "Whiskers" his master was
his life and his happiness.
Now "Whiskers" is desolate. With
lowered head, dlsconsclate mien; with
saddened eyes, and an occasional whine,
which carries with 1t an unspeakable
sadness, "Whiskers" wanders here and
there about the old familiar haunts,
d
deayor to find some trace OF his beloved
master. Refusing to eat. gaunt and lean
from long fasting, inconsolable In his
loss, "Whiskers" finds no balm for the
grief that has come upon him; no ray OF
light shows from his darkened sky all
Is blackness for the forloru old Wills
kers."
His Master Joins Majority.
On last Monday "Whiskers's" boon
companion died. The world voted not of
the passing for poor old 'Nlgger Jim
had but few friends and fewer lntimates.
One there was, though who felt the
blight, one there was who was rendered
In a moment forlorn and sad; It was only
old "Whisl1ers," but his love was true
to the end, staunch through life and un-
dying to the last.
Kindly hands have tried to minister to
the dogs comfort, but his grief knows
no assuaging, It finds no relief With a
mien SO sad that 1t brings tears TO the
eyes OF the kindly. rough. but honest
miners, poor. disconsolate. unhappy old
"Whiskers" wanders about day In and
day out, searching for his masters face,
for even the faintest trace OF the form
which he had known and loved.
Poor fellow! he could not understand
the passing, he could not know the NOR
tai change, he could not know the des-
tiny Of man; these things are too far
beyond his dogs intelligence; he only
knows that darkness has come, that he
has loved and lost, that his life is vast
blackness without n ray OF light, that
his beloved master, his companion OF the
years of hardship, the one to whom he
could turn for a caress and kind word,
had fitted. like q passing show from
his life, and left him lonely.
'Whiskers." with the instinct which
the loving Creator gave to every animal,
knows that he will die IL he eats not, so
he eats not. With the instinct which
comos to SO many who are Of the human