One hundred years ago
A DOG'S AFFECTION AND CRAFTINESS
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR"'
Sir: While living in the sunny and friendly little town of Adelaide, near Fort Beaufort, I had gained the devoted affection of a shaggy little mongrel dog with speaking brown eyes (such as any girl might have been proud of) . . .
After I had left Adelaide and gone to live at a place about forty miles off, I used now and then to ride over and look up my old friends. On one of these occasions, I had been spending the evening with some of them, and on the way back to my hotel I passed the door of another friend to whom the little dog, 'Jack,' belonged. He came out and ran after me, wagging his tail, and showing every sign of delight; but I was obliged to tell him to go home, which I thought he did, and proceeded to go to my room and shut the door. I had just put out the candle and got into bed, when I was surprised by hearing a shuffling under the bed, and immediately afterwards feeling something jump on to it. It was my little friend, who had determined to spend the night with me, and had stealthily followed me into the room and concealed himself till he thought it safe to come out. I need scarcely say that I had not the heart to turn the little fellow out, and he slept peacefully on my bed till morning.
—I am, Sir, &c., H.
The Spectator, 17 January 1891
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