The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-06-05
OUR DOG
VICTOR
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER

l owned u uOg, anu 1 calieU MIN
Victor. He was of mixed hunting
breed-some setter, some spaniel and
some hound. The first moment l saw
him and looked into his eye l knew
he vas very intelligent and could be
taught almost anything. l bought him
for S. and took him home with me.
Vic became very much attached
to me and l to him. taught him
various tricks which he learned very
easily. tried to train him not to
bark at any and every body who anne
near the place, but failed. His chief
delight was to go walking with me.
l am fond of walking, and on those
days. not being engaged in any vo-
cation. l used to stray away miles
into the country. Vic was my only
companion and the only one 1 wished
for.
Vic understood me without my ex-
planning things to him. and his opin-
ions did not clash with mine-that Is.
with two exceptions. l didn't think
it proper for him to bark at every COW
he came to Or to tackle cats. Vic had
paid no attention to mine whatever.
One morning Vic was missing at the
breakfast table where l was used to
feeding him choice mOrsels Of food.
That was the end of him for me for
a year. l advertised for him, offered
a reward for him, did everything l
could to get him back without avail.
At last l made up my mind that he
had been stolen and removed to an
other locality. Then me morning he
reappeared and was as delighted to get
back to me as I was at his coming.
That same autumn-OctOber-I made
up my mind to take a walk of a couple
of hundred miles. l laid out a course,
making a circle covering the distance.
l took Vic with me, of course, and new
er did dog enjoy an outing more. l
believe that these walks were the
secret of Vic's being more attached to
me than to any n else, for. no mat
ter how much any n else petted him
and stuffed him with sweetmeats he
would wait for hours in the hope of
getting a stroll with me.
was passing through a wood on
the outskirts Of a pretty village when
l met a young lady who the moment
she saw Vic fixed her eyes upon him
intently. 9,
"Why, Zip" she cried, ''come here!'
She was evidently a former acquaint-
ance of the dog, for he bounded to-
ward her and was as glad to see her as
she was to see him. When their trans
ports had somewhat subsidized l ven
tured to remark to the young lady:
"You two have evidently met be-
FORE"
Hes my dog" she said. looking up
at me. much pleased at regaining her
lost property"
"Indeed" I replied. II thought he
was mine"
"No; I bought him nearly a year ago.
He was probably stolen from me-"
81 bought him two years ago. He
was probably stolen from me and sold
to you"
That mingled look of injury. re-
proach and other expressions of suf-
fering under a gross injustice was e
gaging. 1t seemed to say. Now that
I have at last found my dog surely
you are not going to be so hard heart
ed as to separate him from me-" |
had a mind to play upon her feelings
as l would on a musical instrument
with a view to drawing out more such
expressions.
II Am perfectly willing" 1 said, ito
resign the dog to you if he will go with
you"
"Of course he will come with me.
He loves me as | love him"
every we'll. l bid you good morning.
1 am much pleased to be instrumental
in returning your dog"
l lifted my hat and walked on with
out looking back. l had not gone far
before Vic zane running past me. I
stopped and. turning. saw the young
lady standing looking at Vic as re-
proachfully as she had looked at me.
1 called the dog and returned with him
to her.
Don't you Think" l said, that he
has proved he is my property"
"No. He has simply proved that
he has been in a measure weaned from
me to you"
II think | can add to the proof he
has himself offered"
Taking up a pebble. l laid it on Vic's
nose and began to count. When l
reached ten he tossed it in the air and
caught it in his mouth. l had taught
him the trick with a lump of sugar.
The expression on the girls face was
delightful to see.
:" didn't know he would do THAR
she exclaimed.
If he is your dog he will perform
similarly for you. Suppose you give
an exhibition Of some tricks you have
taught him."
II taught him any"
II will be generous with you. I will
turn owe the dog to you on condition
that l be permitted to visit him as
often as l like"
That's very kind Of you." she re-
Dlied i%nnOcently. She evidently did