Putnam patriot., 1928-05-03
"GYP." MASCOT OF NO.2.
 NEARLY A VETERAN
Dog Has Mania For Attending Fires Answers Every
 Alarrsl Rung
Jumps Through Window To FoIio..
 Truck

"Gyp." mascot of No. 2 Hose Com pany of the Putnam fire department. k beginning to get into the limelight. People have come to notice that at ev. cry fire the north end company attends Gyp is there either before, at the same time. or soon after the fire truck ar riyes. It has taken some months for Gyp to get any publicity, not that be cares, but that his faithfulness de- serves some reward.
 Gyp is owned by Lucien Harpin, who lives on Battey street. The dog, however, may more often be found hanging around the Jarvis store at the corner of Providence and Mill streets. Here he is great pet and is known to most of the citizens of Ward Three.
 Forgets His Friends
 Gyp is a friendly soul and he is willing to be patted and petted. But let the fire alarm start sounding and Gyp forgets his friends, bone even, if be happens to have one. Up goes his short ears. his eyes glisten and there are those who have watched him who will tell you in all seriousness that he counts the bell strokes. Not only this, but that he knows the location of the different boxes. If you won't believe it you will be asked how 1t is then that Gyp can sometimes beat the truck to the scene of fire.
 When the bell in st. Mary's steepIe begins to sound fire alarm Gyp starts for the corner of Van den Noort street to watch for old No. 2. Once Gyp was locked In the store. The bell began to sound an alarm and Gyp jumped through the window. There ia no stopping a real fireman, or fire dog. in the line of duty, and Gyp has proven that he Is real plus and no one thought of punishing him for breaking pane of glass.
 When the truck arrives Gyp falls behind and follows it to the fire and there he remains until the "all out" signal is given. when back he trots to his daily haunt.
 At times members of No. 2 have taken Gyp onto the truck to give him the ride that regular fireman is en- titled to.
 Although not as young as he used to be. Gvp feels a bit suspicious that the foreman of the company may feel .a. ..... ae ... is a.nroaehi.s.ss She retirement age if he rides, so off he jumps and falls into his customary place behind He remains aboard, however, long enough SO as not t0 hurt the feelings of the kindly disposed firemen. who would pladlv give him lift to the fire. Once he has shown his apprecia- tion hy riding 3 short distance, of he jumps,
 Proves His Knowledge
 To prove that Gyp knows where the boxes are located. after first counting the strokes of the alarm, he has been seen to cut across lots and arrive at ihe scene of fire before the truck. Al the recent Carpenter fire near the Grove Street cemtery, Gyp was behind the truck until it reached Buck street. Here he left his position, turned east, and when the department arrived Gyp was there Take it or leave it, that IS told as n fact.
 Even though Gyp may not think so, he really is not as young as he was. Time lA lHhlNE itA iuti bi uiH FiN N"ft"' condition. Now and again, after a long run. such one as from the north end to the cemetery il week or two ago Gyp returns hardly in the pink of con. dition. as they say in the realms of fistiana. Breathing hard, tongue hanging out. bit wabbly on his four pins. Gyp, although he would not con fess it. is about all in. He slinks out of sight and. unless another fire alarm sounds. is very inactive dog for q day or two.
 Introducing Cyp
 Before he retires from active ser vice. the dogs cleverness and faithful. ness. it was felt. should be properiS recognized. When next you see No. on the way te answer a fire alarm and see behind the truck a not over large dog. you will know that this i. "Gyp mascot of No. Company. and a friend of every member.
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