Year: 1874

MISS BuRDETT Courts has recently had


erected monument to the memory of


Bobby" who died January ID, 1872. OF


his eventful life the Edinburgh Scotsman


of April 10, 1867, relates the following


strange story


A very singular and interesting occur


renee was yesterday brought to light in


the Burgh Court, by the hearing of
summons in regard TO a dog-tax. Eight
and half years ago, IL seems man


named Gray, of whom nothing now is


known, except that he was poor, and lived


in quiet way In some obscure part of


the town, was buried in Old Greyfriars'


Churchyard. His grave, leveed by the


hand of time, and unmarked by any stone,


is now scarcely discernible; but although
no human interest would seem to attach
to it, the sacred spot has not been wholly
disregarded and forgotten. During all
these years the dead mans faithful dog
has kept constant watch and guard over
the grave-and il was this animal for
which the collectors sought to recover
the tax. James Brown, the old curator of
the burial ground, remembers Gray's
funeral and the dog, Scotch terrier,
was, he says, one of the most conspicuous
of the mourners. The grave was closed
in as usual and the next morning
=" Bobby" as the dog is called was
found lying on the new.made mound. This
was an innovation which old James could
not permit, for there was an order at the
gate, stating in the most ineligible char
acters, that dogs were not admitted.
Bobby" was accordingly driven out;
but next morning he was there again, and
for the second time was discharged. The
third morning was cold and wet, and
when the old man saw the faithful ami
NAL, in spite of all chastisement, still
lying shivering on the grave, he took
pity on him and gave him some food.
This recognition of his devotion gave
Bobby" the right to make the church
yard his home, and from that time to the
present he has never spent a night away
from his masters tomb Often in bad
weather attempts have been made to keep
him within doors, but by dismal howls
he has succeeded in making it known
that interference is not agreeable to him,
and latterly he has always been allowed
his own way. AT almost any time during
the day he may be seen in or about the
churchyard; and no matter how rough
the night may be, nothing can induce him
to forsake the hallowed spot, whose iden-
tity, despite the irresistible obiteration,
he has so faithfully preserved. Bobby" has
many friends, and the tax gatherers have
by no means proved his enemies. A
weekly treat of steaks was long allowed
him by Sergeant Scott of the Engineers,
but for more than six years he has been
regularly fed by Mr. Trail of the Res
taurant, Greyfriars' Place. He is con-
slant and punctual in his calls, being
guided in his midday visits by the sound
of the time.gun. On the ground of har-
boring the dog, proceedings were taken
against Mr.. Trial for payment of the tax.
The defendant expressed his willingness,
could he claim the dog, to be responsible
for the tax; but so long as the dog refused
to attach himself to any one, it was i'm
possible to fix the ownership-and the
Court, seeing the peculiar circumstances
of the case, dismissed the summons.
Bobby" has long been an object of curl
osity to all who have become acquainted
with his history. His constant appearance
in the graveyard had caused many inqui-
ries to be made regarding him, and efforts
out of number have been made to get pos
session of him. The old curator, of course,
stands up as the next claimant to Mr..
Trail, and yesterday offered to pay the
tax himself, rather than have Bobby
"Greyfriars' Bobby" to allow him his full
out of the way.