The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-08-10
The Story Of a Lost Dog

OCCASIONALLY. don't like so-called
domestic animals. and therefore.
when my children came dragging after
them a Scotch collie, with his hair all
matted and his muddy feet leaving
nasty-looking tracks on the library
rugs, ! spoke to them rather sharply
and ordered Jawkins to kick the dog
out.
But he's lost, papa" said my
eldest.
We'll. let him stay lost" respond
ed, rather grutfiy.
Il speck somebody's nawful sorry to
lose him." said Jack. my tive-year-oId
was busy with my essay on The
Milk of Human Kindness" so when
Jawkins (Jawkins is our general facto-
tum-my wife calls him the butIer)-
dragged the dog out of my sight for
got him. 1t seems the children consid
cred the dog as treasure-trove. and
they took him out and locked him in
the stable. feeding him expensive
steaks. which they found in the larder.
He disturbed my rest that night with
his mournful bowling. and early in the
morning | went down, opened the
stable door and turned him loose.
Unfortunately. the treatment accord
cd that dog by my children had been
so generous that the dog had sense
enough not to stay lost. For days he
continued to hang around my place,
making life miserable for me, and my
wife wa; ched my cheeks growing sal
low and my appetite diminishing with
unconcealed alarm.
1t was rather a relief. therefore, when
on the fourth day she brought me a
copy of the News and pointed triumph
antly I o the following advertisements:
FOUND-A SCOTCH COLLIE DOG: EVIL
IDENTIFY of fine breeding. The dog has
been at our house for four days Owner
can regain possession of the animal by ap-
plying in person and proving property. No
quesr ons asked. Apply after nine a. m. at
1852 Delaware street
Thanks, my dear" l said, grateful
~: do you think that will get rid of
him?"
Not doubt of it," said my wife.
Next morning. having finished a good
breakfast and being just settled down
to reading chapter 10 in Tupper's
Moral Philosophy" there was ring
at the front doorbell, and Jawkins
said:
"A gent to see you, sir
'Show him up" replied, laying my
book down with sigh.
The individual who presented him
self and calmly took seat in my new
/ |, I'll,
II am Rev. Theophilus Jubes. of the
Third Theosophical church. l called in
regard t o the following"
: From his greasy garments he drew 4
dirty copy of the News and pointed
> with Il chubby foreiinger to the adver-
tisemcnt inserted by my wife.
"Ah." said l. YES you want your
: dog. He is now tied up in the stable.
. Jawkins, show this gentleman his dog"
; Yes. sir" said Jawkins, leading the
Theosophist out.
! In moment he returned. BEG
= pardon. sir. but there's three gents and
: lady waiting to see you, sir"
\ Indeed" said |: "show them up
Z one at a time. Jawkins."
: The first visitor. clad in blue over
' alls and carrying an odor of stale fish
about his person. came hesitatingly in,
: looked with a senile smile at the books
Z on the shelves. blushed n little as his
eyes lighted on full-length statuette
\ of Psyche and said:
IL called about that dawg."
"Oh. yes" I replied. Very sorry,
= but the dog turns out to be the prop
: erty of minister. He is out in my
s stable getting him. now"
well. but = that's - my-dawg-l
< reckon" slowly drawled my acquaint
: ance. ~ eed-that-ad.-last-
:. live -Broad-Rpple. lost
( -him-last-week. 'Tain't--no-min
y listers dawg."
What color was your dog?" asked
: him.
y NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." was thu
< reply.
= well. I'm sorry. but this can't b'
+ your dog. for he's black and tan"
{ "Wall." he replied. "I-guess-then-
\ faint mine. Good-day-sir."
& Good day" rejoined, shortly.
: But still he fingered.
y pardon me-" said. There are 9th
ers waiting to see me-"
: "Yes-I-know. Only-only-only-
: you-see-'t-cost- me-ten-cents-
< to- come in-here-from- Broad
: Ripple-'n' l. thought"
= "Jawkins!" l shouted, SHOW tn
9 next man in"
al The next man was a colored mar
E who was evidently employed in tn
= whitewashing business. He was whit
y everywhere except on his skin. and h
powdered lime al; over my apartment
+ "Jes' called T. see bout that dors
mister" he explained. with a grin.
\