The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-10-05
Some Dogs and
Some Folks
By C.B. VVHITFORD
" 10. 1872. Western, Newspaper Union.) 4.

opinion of himself but somehow he
was NOT much Of success in his
world and did not get along very we'll
with the people who provided him q
good home and plenty to eat. I
In the way of chores about tho
place that usually fall to the lot Of
a good dog, he was misfit. He did
not like to drive the cows to and
from the pasture; work that he thought
should be done by a regular shepherd
dog. AssfOr keeping awake at night
to protect the place from all manner
of narauders, that was the work OF
a regular watch dog, and was kind
Of work that did not suit his tempera-
ment. Nor did he feel thst he was
born to- chase the chickens out OF the
garden or catch mischie FOus wood
chucks. That was hard work that did
not yield sufficient for toe outlay OF
energy Besides, wOodchucks have
sharp teeth and a mean way Of using
them. No, woodchuck work was not
for him Rather it was the proper
labor Of dog not fitted for some
thing better.
Almost all the dogs BOce knew had
some special work that they seemed
to enjoy. He noticed that the settlers,
pointers and hounds were always
happy when they We're busy at their
special work, and he concluded ne
would be equally contented If he could
only find OUT the special field that he
was born to fill. There was nothing
he had ever done IN the way of spe-
cial work that had given him pleasure
or profit. He was. certain, however,
that he was dog Of uncommon
ability. and it was only question of
time when he would find the place for
which he was eminently fitted.
Meanwhile he would dream on Of
the delayed opportunity that was GER
tain to come ,tlong some day and
put him in the way of showing the
world what he could do when he had
the right kind Of a chance.
While he was waiting for something
favorable to turn. up he thought it
might be we'll to spend little time
with the dog doctor who was the friend
Of all dogs.
II seem to be in hard luck, doc
tor" he said as he walked into the
office. Somehow, most all the dogs
know are having good time, but 1
can't find anything to do that Is suit
able for a dog like me-"
"You amt any worse off, Boce, than
a lot of folks 1, know. They have lots
Of time on their hands but they use
up very little Of it hunting a Job.
Most of this class would take a job
as superintendent of big railroad,
but they would turn down an offer Of
a job they 2could handle. I suspect
you are willing to take big job you
know nothing about, but would. not
work at anything you can really do.
My advice is to go to work at the
first Job you can find. After you have
learned how to do that we'll, you will
be fit for something better. Bat
don't waste your time looking for
something easy. All work is hard.
And the harder you work the better
you will like your job"
"I'u think it over" said BOce, ''but
I really feel that could fill swell
place II could find one."-
Boce had a friend that used to
sneak around back Of the place for
visit. He was as unpopular as Boce
was and for that reason never came by
the front way on his visits, and
Boce returned his visits In the same
manner.
The good woman who saw Boce
sneaking about the rear Of her place
knew very we'll that back-door COM
pany, afraid to step boldly out in the
open. was not the kind Of visitor for
her dog. He was good deal OF
disconnected loafer himself, and all
he needed to become a full.fedged
member of the alley dog class was the
companionship Of another loafer like
himself. She tried in various ways
to break up the association, but these
pals would not be separated. They
continued their little visits and finally
got the habit of wandering away to-
gether.>
One day after Boce had been on
one of his periodical trips with his
pal he called Mt the doctors office,
with q frightened look in his cOun'
tenance, and a limp in one hind leg.
1--WE been expecting you, Boce," the
doctor said. "Where did you get it?''
Boce was explaining how he and his
pal were having a good time when q
mean man came along and shot his
pal dead and then took shot at him.
Before he had finished man walked
into the office, stepped up to Boce,
opened his mouth and pulled a long
piece of Sleeps wool out from be-
tween hfS teeth. Then he found some
more. u -:
II thought I recognized you" he
said, when you limped in here, as one
Of the es I saw killing sheep back
| in the rSsture. These shot marks on
your legs and the wool in your teeth
makes It certain. Come along with
me,p lie said as he fastened a chain
to his collar.
"Ain't you going to let the doctor
fix me up before go?' inquired Boce.
1T isn't necessary, you only have