Minnie's Pet Dog
Page 2
CHAPTER II.
BOSE AND THE WIG.
"Here," said Mr. Lee, "is an account Mr. Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd,gives of his dog Hector.
"'I am sure,' he says, 'that the dog comprehends a good deal that issaid in the family; and that his attention and impatience becomemanifest whenever any thing is said about either him, the sheep, or thecat.
"'One evening I said to my mother, "I am going to Bowerhope for afortnight; but I shall not take Hector with me, for he is constantlyquarrelling with the other dogs, or breeding some kind of an uproar."
"'My mother answered me, promptly, "I am glad of it; I like best to havehim at home."
"'Nothing more was said on the subject. The next morning was rainy, andI did not start till after breakfast. When I was ready, I ordered aservant to shut Hector up for a few hours, that he might not follow me.The servant presently reported that the dog was nowhere to be found.
"'When I reached St. Mary's Lock, I found the river so swollen, I had toget across in a boat; and yet, when I arrived at Bowerhope, I foundHector, very wet, sitting on a knoll, impatiently awaiting me.'"
"In Bath, England, there were at one time a large number of dogsemployed in cooking-houses, to turn the spits used in roasting fowls.These animals were fond of following the crowd on the Sabbath, andcollecting together, during divine service, in the Abbey Church.
"On one occasion, the clergyman happened to use the word 'spit,' whichreminded the dogs of their neglected duties, and, seized with remorse,they all ran home in a hurry."
"Why, father," cried Minnie, much astonished, "I should not think thepeople would let so many dogs go to church."
"Perhaps they could not prevent it," he answered, laughing. "Dogs areoften fond of accompanying their owners to church. I remember Leo triedit several times when I first bought him. He seemed to understandperfectly well when Sunday came, and, as he knew I did not approve ofhis intruding, he would run off and creep into the pew without leave."
"And did he keep still, father?"
"Yes; I never knew him to make much noise, except as he occasionallyturned himself over, but I was in constant fear of his doing so, anddetermined to break up the habit.
"Early one Sabbath morning, before the ringing of the first bell forchurch, I went out to the stable to tell John to shut him up before hetook out the carriage. He said he had not seen him for an hour or more.When I alighted at the door of the church, there was Leo, waiting tofollow me up the aisle.
"The next week I thought I would be in season, and had Leo shut up onSaturday. He cried incessantly, when the bells rang on Sunday; but Itold John not to let him out until after our return from the eveningservice.
"When Saturday came again, Leo took the precaution to be off, andenjoyed a whole day of church going, coming in and scratching at thedoor of the pew to gain my attention.
"I felt almost guilty, when I reflected on his desire to keep theSabbath. I think he came to know which was the sermon and which theprayer, for during the latter he invariably stood up. It was only bypersevering effort that I convinced him his church-going propensitycould not be allowed. But now, though you know he often accompanies mewhen I ride on horseback, and follows the carriage when we all go, henever attempts to do so on the Sabbath."
"I remember," said Mrs. Lee, "when I was a young girl, visiting a ladywho had a beautiful spaniel, of whom she made a great pet. When she wentout to ride, Doll expected to go with her as a matter of course; and ifthe weather was cold, the dog was wrapped in embroidered blankets, likea baby.
"One Sabbath day we were preparing to go to church, and I wonderedwhether Doll would go too; or, if not, how she would bear thedisappointment.
"To my astonishment the spaniel, though she whined a little, made noeffort to accompany us by running here and there, as usual, and utteringshort, joyful barks. She sat at the window gazing earnestly after us,but making no attempt to follow.
"'She knows well enough,' said the lady, 'that she must not go tochurch, though I cannot imagine how she tells when Sunday comes.'
"There's a curious story," remarked Mr. Lee, "often told of a number ofdogs in a village in Bohemia. These animals, including a large mastiff,belonging to a nobleman in the place, had a practice of going regularlyto church.
"This at last excited the attention of the town authorities, and at ameeting of the court, a magistrate, who presided, said in a loud,decided tone,--
"'No dogs shall be allowed in church; let me not see one of them infuture!'"
"The mastiff was present, and seemed to listen with attention. Norwithout effect; for on the ensuing Sunday he rose early, and ran roundthe village, barking at all the dogs. He then took his station near thedoor of the church; and when a dog came up, unmindful of hisprohibition, he instantly killed him. Ever after he took on him thispost of sentinel before the church, but not once was he known to enterit."
"What a queer dog!" exclaimed Minnie, "and how strange that he shouldhave known what the magistrate said!"
Mr. Lee laughed. "Do you remember," he asked, turning to his wife, "thestory we heard long ago of that old gentleman in Portsmouth, NewHampshire, who had such a knowing dog?"
"Yes, I remember. Minnie will be interested to hear that."
"O, yes, father!"
"It seems his dog was so intelligent that he could do almost every thingbut talk. Among other things, he was in the constant habit of attendingchurch with his master. The old gentleman wore a wig, and havingpurchased a new one, donned it for the first time on Sunday morning,leaving the old one hanging on a chair in his bed room.
"It happened that Bose had been taking a nap that morning in the garden,and did not awake in time to accompany his master to church. He enteredthe house, and perceived at once that he was late; but on seeing thewig, he imagined it had been forgotten, and catching it in his teeth,before he could be stopped, disappeared with it into the street.
"The old gentleman's feelings may be imagined, when, in the commencementof the sermon, he saw Bose quietly trotting along the aisle, in fullview of all the congregation, with the wig in his mouth, not stoppingtill he reached the familiar pew."
"I fancy the good man wished his dog had remained at home," said Mrs.Lee, laughing heartily; while Minnie, who did not seem exactly tounderstand, exclaimed,--
"I thought, mamma, that wigs were fastened on like hair. I'm sure auntMary never takes hers off."
Mr. Lee suddenly started up. "This is not doing my business," heexclaimed. "If I don't look out sharp, I shall miss an appointment.Run, Minnie, to the barn, and tell John to put the black mare into thebuggy as quickly as possible."
Before he had put on his boots, she came back, out of breath, callingout,--
"John has harnessed, father; so you can go at once."
Soon after he had gone, Mrs. Lee went up stairs to make fartherpreparations for their journey. She had already directed Anne, a womanwho had long been in the family, to put Minnie's dresses into a trunk.What was her surprise, when she entered the room, to see Tiney sittingon them, the trunk being left open!
Poor creature! He had taken this method to ascertain the moment of theirleaving, probably that he might follow them, as he was sure they wouldnot go without Minnie's clothes.