Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-02
Pompo at the White
House

Mrs. Adella Octavia Clouston, the
author Of "The Lady of the Robins,
IS now residing in Washington, D. c..
when her jet black Sussex spaniel
"Pompo," is rapidly becoming a ma
tfonal character. Some Of his recent
exploits are told by his owner, as fol
lows:
He mounted the massive steps OF
the United States treasury, ventured
within, and went where man, unthd
den, would not dare to tread. But in
leash or out of leash the spaniel is
making himself generally known. An
old colored "auntie," in commenting
on him, said: DAT Pompus shore am
purity pup, an he's mos de welles
known Of any pup in dis yer town. 1t
shore am pity dat he WASH born a
female COW stead OBJ a bloomin' he
pup, cause den mos likely he'd b'long
to high-up life like dat White House
| COW OBJ de Tafts'; an shore she was
some cow"
One evening arrayed in his studded
harness and bespangled collar, with
! the spurious gold medallion adjoining
his black shining neck. Pompo started
with master and mistress for a stroll
through the grounds surrounding the
White House. On approaching the
executive mansion, the door was open,
and accepting this as an invitation to
enter. and taking It for granted that
the interior was to be their destina-
ton, he suddenly broke loose. With
head high in the air, leash trailing on
the ground. he bounded up the steps.
surprised the guard on duty at his
post, and with paws upon the topmost
step. the dog stood gazing intently
within. His master called, but he paid
no heed. Again he called. but Pompo
remained as immovable as the Victor
dog who hears "his masters voice"
Finally. when he was about to pro-
coed within the mansion the, Presi-
dent emerged, accompanied by diplQ-
mats and secret service men. The
President looked fatigued. All day
he had been before Congress In his
earnest endeavor to avert the most
world has ever faced. Pompo's mas
ter and mistress had attended the
Congressional session that day, had
listened to the Presidents appeal, and
understood the cause of his extreme
WEAKNESS. But Pompo only detected
or thought he did-an oldtime friend
who closely resembled the President
With "a swift sudden move he
bounded forward in friendly greeting
The secret service men sprang to the
Presidents side. watching the self.an-
nounced intruder with suspicion. But
the President of the United States
fearlessly put forth his hand and
stroked the head Of his unbidden
guest. The guest" manifested no dis.
appointment on discovering his error
of identity but wagged his tail and
kissed his hand after his own manner
"a fine dog remarked the Presi
dent. ~ would like Mrs. Wilson to
see bin. but at present she Is en-
gagged" Hes beauty" returned one
of the diplomats
A secret service man stepped for
ward. "He must be strayed. and with
your permission, Mr. President, I'll
take him in charge Until his owner Is
found" He stopped to take hold Of
the leash, but Pompo had vanished
Nor had he backed away as from
royalty, but with unwilling rudeness
had turned his back upon the Presi.
dent OF the United States. the diplo.
mats, the secret service men. and fled
in quest Of the only owners to whom
he owed allegiance, who, from behind
some shrubbery, had witnessed the
scene.
Free from capture ne again darted
ahead but suddenly came to a halt
\ bonanza - to him In the way Of
a fountain appeared In his path. He
looked longingly, hesitated, but canine
instinct prevailed, and before he could
be prevented had the temerity to do
what no other dog has probably ever
done before. There was bound up.
ward, plunge downward, splash,
and the Presidents guest was swim.
ming in the White House pool.
Hes in disgrace now, sure enough"
exclaimed his mistress hurriedly ap-
preaching. What shall we do.?"
Let him SWIM" was the reply TITS
too late to prevent il. But Wen start
toward home, and when he finds him.
self he'll lose no time in following"
The rlse worked. The abandoned
animal. making frantic attemps to fol-
low, learned that 1t is easier to get into
trouble than it is to get out. The
masonry rose too high for him to OBJ.
tain a footing. He knew he could not
escape Then a pitiful imploring
whine reached them and they hur
rledly retraced their steps. That cry
may have been heard by the Presi
dent and ne. too, perhaps. would have
come to the rescue. as did Abraham
Lincoln when he left his horse to
rescue struggling pig from quag
mire; but, not waiting for Pompo to
make history, his master drew him on:
&C Tho mol Or1s Dumb AniMals