Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-07

L.
STUFFY that at first ac-
ouaintance. Stu6y makes me think of my
early boyhood. grew up till my teens with
a dog named Grip. One day Grip went
over the hills and never came back. That is
the way they hid the truth from me. They
told It so at first, trying to break the bad
news gently.
have known other dogs since then, and
one of them 1 have never seen, but know
him. 1t was in the days when was report.
ing for newspaper in a small city. I heard
the story from the city treasurer. On or be-
fore the 1st of April every year. all owners
of dogs in that bailiwick were required to
bring or send money to the treasurers office,
and If they failed the constable turned dog.
catcher. One day that summer little boy,
bare-footed tousle- headed ragamufHn invaded
the aweinspiring corridors of City Hall, paus-
ing before each door to read the lettering on
the frosted panes. Finally he turned the knob
of the treasurer's door and quietly, furtively,
crept inside. There he stood, Just within the
door. bewidered, a little frightened alter
nately rubbing one foot with the other. A
clerk behind a grated window called to him
pleasantly and the boy slowly advanced, ) :.
denly thrust his clenched fist upon the win
dow shelf. which he stood on tiptoe to reach.
ana pOuIeu OuL iluIuLui VI pcilulSS-lWenly-
six of them
whats this for?" asked the clerk
"Pease don't let 'em take my dog. They're
tryin' to take my dog-and he's my dog. I
want to pay for i'm"
This little boy, I am happy to say kept his
dog. He needed him for companIonship and
comfort, for the boys father spent much of
his time in Jail and his mother wasn't much
better. They all lived down by the railroad
tracks near the river, and even there, as on
the boulevards, dogs dog for a that and a
that--a good friend for children to grow up
with.
In breed, in looks. in many respects Stuffy
may be very different from these other dogs;
but they all have certain qualities in common
which it would be superfiuous to point out
Anybody who grew up with dog in his own
childhood or has children growing up
with dog knows whereof I speak. Any such
person would be glad to shake hands with
Stuffy.
II happened in Bala The story begins
with a robe that fell out of a baby carriage.
Stuffy discovered it. Stuffy had been loiter.
ing, as dogs will. and he came upon the robe
after the maid and the baby carriage had
passed out of sight Stuffy knew what to do
It was his duty to guard the robe. If he ran
after the maid somebody might make off with
IL in his absence. II ne dragged IL along with
him he would spoil It. So Stuffy stayed with
the robe, curling himself up on it in the middle
of the sidewalk, waiting for somebody he
knew.
StuRy obstructed traffic. OF course there
wasn't much compared with city traffic, but
there were suburbanites going to and from
their afternoon calls and commuters returning
from town and tradespeople and other folks.
It was midafternoon when Stuffy went on
guard. Passersby were sized up as they ap-
preached. No was permitted to come
suspicously close. Each was warned by a
low growl to step aside and walk on the
grass. stuffy kept watch of them all, coming
~--- -c---5,
Stufy on Guard
A couple of laborers. in their rough clothes.
came by. Then up rose Stuffy on all fours
and barked threateningly. Not big dog at
all, but quite capable of assuming a ferocious
attitude. The laborers gave him a wide
berth.
Presently Stuffy began to receive visitors.
He didn't invite them and he rather resented
their curiosity. What, pray, was he doing
except to mind his own business? But 1t
was only a friendly interest they took, and
Stuhy kept silent.
Four o'clock and nobody had come back
for the shawl.
Five o'clock and there was Stuhy
Mr.. W returned from his office at six
stuny was out in the middle OF the sidewalk.
in front OF the house. sure OF his rights
Mr.. WI had objections. but thought
nevertheless that something ought to be
done
The neighbors had been asking questions
OF the neighbors. They had accosted passers-
by. Whose dog was il? No answer. Only
guesses. Then Mr.. W took up the case.
Mr.. W approached the guardian OF the
robe. confidently, in his best manner
"In Just look at his collar The owners
name must be on the collar"
"oh. we've tried to do that" said the
neighbors
It was 50. stuny would have none OF It.
He didn't know these people. He'd Just wait
and wait-and wait-and meanwhile keep
strangers at proper distance.
II had dog once" some one remarked.
He -.-"
That story hnishsd another one was re-
hearsed-
u remember -"
And . On. But sull nobody knew whose
dos Il Wa4
There HtFs many gusssea.