DAN RIBBLES DOG MALT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1664, 19 April 1884, Page 2

DAN RIBBLES DOG MALT.

(By Tic). " Yes," said the temperance man, "I remember trying to make a teetotaller of Dan Kibbles, One night I called in at Lis pltica determined not to leave until his name was on my list. When I entered Dan was sitting by the fire with a glass of hot toddy in his hand. This looked bad, but I set to work at once, dilating upon- the advantages of total abstinence, and relating all the little anecdotes I could think of to support my views. Dan sat there stirring his toddy round and round, never venturing a word, till I had finished telling about the old maid's cat that preferred milk to whiskey, and the brewer's horse that wouldn't drink beer. Then he put his glass aside and said, "You can't count much on that, mate. I. had a dog some years ago that would have drunk that beer, and then looked round for more. Malt was the most knowing dog as ever wagged a tail, and I reared him on XXX colonial, From the time he-was a pup he would follow me to the pub and curl up alongside a dish which me and my mates poured our slops into, and he drank them and was happy. Every Saturday night, regular, we were to be found in that'bar, and Malt grew up to expect it. The way he marked the men who sucked. tho last drop out of their glasses was surprising. He was best of friends with. 1 those who slopped a little into his dish, but the others—well, he just treated them with the contempt their, meanness. deserved. Alcohol-took no effect on him, bless you. The way he would pilot me home after three hours hard drinuing was an example to other dogs. I never came out of that bar sober, and .just as soon as I staggered from the door Malt took me in possession with an air that seemed to say, " Now, I boss this contract, so you go as I want." And I had to go straight—no turning .wrong corners, or lying in the gutter for a spell. This went on for some time, and Malt became a' noted 'olcl soaker among the frequenters of the Miners' Arms ; till one evening, as I was returning from work, I stopped to listen to some temperance people who were spouting in the street., I sort of fancied their talky and promised myself that I would go to their meeting that night. After tea I togged up, and set off with Malt at my heels, but instead of keeping-on to the pub;, 'I turned to go into.the meeting house. Malt seemed, surprised at. this, and must havo thought that ! was drunk befpre my time, as he got in front of me, and started barking and tearing round, as he usually did when I got off the track;- .; but; ;! was sober, and wouldn't be turned. The doorkeeper wasn't .on.for.lettjng.him. in, but I said "Pass him, mate; he's the hottest advocate; for alcohol; ever : you tumbled across, and the speechirig might twist his views;" So' Malt trotted ; in' and got upon the form by my side, looking all the time as though it was a change he didn't approve of. He stayed there for nearly , half att holir,- whining in a most 'dissatisfied manner ; but' when 'anotherman got up to talk/and he saw no probability of drinks coming on he couldn't suffer it' any longer, and so .stretching out his neck he gave one prolonged dismal howl, and scampered out with his head. down,.-You never saw a dog so disgusted; ; -He gave an 'uglysnap at, aas though he must give yent 'to his teelings somehow, Afterthathe wouldn't go inside a meeting house to kill cats. And whenever: he came across one of those speakers he betrayed a desire to feed on him. : ;Popi* "old Malt, he got "cut in b'alf while inspecting a mowing machine.. Here's !! to.. his.. memory." And old Kibbles' drained off his liquor. " I=wasted - .three ; rt(iurs C ovei;. Dan that night, .but as iotig as;l-talked he kept oii:Kfo^;!^y : aiii, P 'drfekmg it. I saw at'lasttha^;if r iongejr.be would drink Hmfielf/'imbecile,; bo I !<&» 'c. ; ,:V,.■