A PATLIETIC DOG-STORY FROM DUNDEE.
ETo THE EDITOR OF THE " SrEITATon."1 SIR,—A singularly pathetic incident, illustrative of the in- separable bond of attachment which frequently exists between the poorest and their pet-dogs, occurred in the Justice of Peace Court, Dundee, on Monday. Christina Smith, described as a sack-sewer, was charged with keeping a dog without a licence. Mr. Haliburton, of the Inland Revenue, stated that the poor woman, to his knowledge, had year after year been in the same predicament as that in which she was now placed. It was a hard case. The woman had no money, but.she would persist in keeping her dog. Accused, in reply to the Bench, stated that she would do her best to pay for a licence. She had done that in years past, and if she only had time, she was sure she could do it again. A J.P. : "How old is the dog P" Accused : "Fifteen years, Sir. Ye see, Sirs, I canna pairt wi' the beastie." Mr. Haliburton said that he had on several occasions paid for the licence; but, to do accused justice, she had always repaid him the money by instalments. The Court held that they must impose a penalty, but they would make it as small as possible,—viz., is. After consultation among the Justices, they resolved, out of sympathy for the tender- hearted old lady, to pay the fine and take out a licence for the dog. The poor woman curtsied her thanks to the Justices, and left the Court agreeably surprised with Justices' justice. Sir Walter Scott's love for his dogs did not surpass this.—I am, Sir, &c., Dock Street, Dundee, May 26th. JOHN OGILVY.
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