Robert Michael Ballantyne - My Doggie and I

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R. M. Ballantyne

My Doggie and I

Chapter One

Explains Itself

I possess a doggienot a dog, observe, but a doggie. If he had been a dog I would not have presumed to intrude him on your notice. A dog is all very well in his wayone of the noblest of animals, I admit, and pre-eminently fitted to be the companion of man, for he has an affectionate nature, which man demands, and a forgiving disposition, which man needsbut a dog, with all his noble qualities, is not to be compared to a doggie.

My doggie is unquestionably the most charming, and, in every way, delightful doggie that ever was born. My sister has a baby, about which she raves in somewhat similar terms, but of course that is ridiculous, for her baby differs in no particular from ordinary babies, except, perhaps, in the matter of violent weeping, of which it is fond; whereas my doggie is unique, a perfectly beautiful and singular specimen ofof well, I wont say what, because my friends usually laugh at me when I say it, and I dont like to be laughed at.

Freely admit that you dont at once perceive the finer qualities, either mental or physical, of my doggie, partly owing to the circumstance that he is shapeless and hairy. The former quality is not prepossessing, while the latter tends to veil the amiable expression of his countenance and the lustre of his speaking eyes. But as you come to know him he grows upon you; your feelings are touched, your affections stirred, and your love is finally evoked. As he resembles a door-mat, or rather a scrap of very ragged door-mat, and has an amiable spirit, I have called him Dumps. I should not be surprised if you did not perceive any connection here. You are not the first who has failed to see it; I never saw it myself.

When I first met Dumps he was scurrying towards me along a sequestered country lane. It was in the Dog Days. Dust lay thick on the road; the creatures legs were remarkably short though active, and his hair being long he swept up the dust in clouds as he ran. He was yelping, and I observed that one or two stones appeared to be racing with, or after, him. The voice of an angry man also seemed to chase him, but the owner of the voice was at the moment concealed by a turn in the lane, which was bordered by high stone-walls.

Hydrophobia, of course, flashed into my mind. I grasped my stick and drew close to the wall. The hairy whirlwind, if I may so call it, came wildly on, but instead of passing me, or snapping at my legs as I had expected, it stopped and crawled towards me in a piteous; supplicating manner that at once disarmed me. If the creature had lain still, I should have been unable to distinguish its head from its tail; but as one end of him whined, and the other wagged, I had no difficulty.

Stooping down with caution, I patted the end that whined, whereupon the end that wagged became violently demonstrative. Just then the owner of the voice came round the corner. He was a big, rough fellow, in ragged garments, and armed with a thick stick, which he seemed about to fling at the little dog, when I checked him with a shout

Youd better not, my man, unless you want your own head broken!

You see I am a pretty well-sized man myself, and, as I felt confidence in my strength, my stick, and the goodness of my cause, I was bold.

What dyou mean by ill-treating the little dog? I demanded sternly, as I stepped up to the man.

A cove may do as he likes with his own, maynt he? answered the man, with a sulky scowl.

A cove may do nothing of the sort, said I indignantly, for cruelty to dumb animals always has the effect of inclining me to fight, though I am naturally of a peaceable disposition. There is an Act of Parliament, I continued, which goes by the honoured name of Martin, and if you venture to infringe that Act Ill have you taken up and prosecuted.

While I was speaking I observed a peculiar leer on the mans face, which I could not account for. He appeared, however, to have been affected by my threats, for he ceased to scowl, and assumed a deferential air as he replied, Vell, sir, it do seem raither ard that a cove should be blowed up for kindness.

Kindness! I exclaimed, in surprise.

Ay, kindness, sir. That there hanimal loves me, it do, like a brother, an the love is mootooal. Veve lived together nowoff an onfor the matter o six months. Vell, I gits employment in a factory about fifteen miles from here, in which no dogs is allowed. In coorse, I cant throw up my sitivation, sir, can I? Neither can my doggie give up his master wot hes so fond of, so Im obleeged to leave im in charge of a friend, with stric orders to keep im locked up till Im fairly gone. Vell, off I goes, but he manages to escape, an runs arter me. Now, wot can a feller do but drive im ome with sticks an stones, though it do go to my eart to do it? but if he goes to the factory hes sure to be shot, or scragged, or drownded, or somethink; so you see, sir, its out o pure kindness Im a peltin of im.

Confess that I felt somewhat doubtful of the truth of this story; but, in order to prevent any expression of my face betraying me, I stooped and patted the dog while the man spoke. It received my attentions with evident delight. A thought suddenly flashed on me:

Will you sell your little dog? I asked.

Vy, sir, he replied, with some hesitation, I dont quite like to do that. Hes such a pure breed, andand hes so fond o me.

But have you not told me that you are obliged to part with him?

I thought the man looked puzzled for a moment, but only for a moment. Turning to me with a bland smile, he said, Ah, sir I thats just where it is. I am obleeged to part with him, but I aint obleeged to sell him. If I ony part with im, my friend keeps im for me, and we may meet again, but if I sell im, hes gone for ever! Dont you see? Howsever, if you wants im wery bad, Ill do it on one consideration.

And that is?

That youll be good to im.

I began to think I had misjudged the man. Whats his name? I asked.

Again for one moment there was that strange, puzzled look in the mans face, but it passed, and he turned with another of his bland smiles.

His name, sir? Ah, his name? He aint got no name, sir!

No name! I exclaimed, in surprise.

No, sir; I object to givin dogs names on principle. Its too much like treatin them as if they wos Christians; and, you know, they couldnt be Christians if they wanted to ever so much. Besides, wotever name you gives em, there must be so many other dogs with the same name, that you stand a chance o the wrong dog comin to e ven you calls.

Thats a strange reason. How then do you call him to you?

Vy, wen I wants im I shouts Hi, or Hallo, or I vistles.

Indeed, said I, somewhat amused by the humour of the fellow; and what do you ask for him?

Fi pun ten, an hes dirt cheap at that, was the quick reply.

Come, come, my man, you know the dog is not worth that.

Not worth it, sir! he replied, with an injured look; I tell you hes cheap at that. Look at his breedin, and then think of his affectionate natur. Is the affections to count for nuffin?

Admitted that the affections were worth money, though it was generally understood that they could not be purchased, but still objected to the price, until the man said in a confidential tone

Vell, come, sir, since you do express such a deal o love for im, and promise to be so good to im, Ill make a sacrifice and let you ave im for three pun tencome!

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