FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 252, 24 October 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

A FRENCH ROBIN HOOD.

DOG STEALS CARROTS FOR A SICK HORSE.

Jly.Dear Little Friends, I suppose that at some time or another you have all seen an Irish terrier- —one of those brown dogs, bigger than a foxie, but quite as mischievous. They arc quite clever doggies, too, and one Irish terrier that I read about many years ago lived in Paris and played the part of sort of French Robin Hood. For quite a long time the gentleman who owned the dog which I am writing, noticed that his Irish terrier was often standing about in front of a certain greengrocer s shop; theia one day He saw the dog wait until the shopkeeper was looking the other way, then quickly snatch a bunch of carrots and make off with all speed down the street. . Greatly puzzled as to what his dog should want with a bunch of carrots, the owner followed the terrier, but lost trace of him in some side streets into which he turned. Next day the gentleman kep't a sharper watch than before and once m ore saw his pet wait until the vegetable seller was looking the other way , then once more snatched a bunch of carrots and made off as quickly a j possible. This time the owner managed to follow his dog until it turned into a stable yard, with the bunclli of carrots still held tightly in its mouth. The Irish terrier trotted across the yard, then nosed open a (table door and disappeared inside. Filled with curiosity, the gentleman followed. Peering round the door, he caw within the stable a lame torse which was very evidently being kept within doors until its injured foot became strong again. Up to the horse the dog walked and the two animals seemed very pleased to see each other. The Irish terrier dropped the bunch of carrots before the horse, which ate them up with every jljow of delight. After seeing his sick friend finish the titbit that he had brought along, the doggy visitor barked his farewell and ran outside again. A very much astonished master accompanied the French Robin Hood back to the greengrocer's shop >3% and there paid for at least some of the , carrots that had been stolen, and Xjf) ordered a bunch of carrots to be given g n to the dog once each day until further i notice.