“BOBBY” OF GREYFRIARS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20354, 10 March 1928, Page 17

“BOBBY” OF GREYFRIARS.

'“Writing in the Dearbon Independent, Paul Tyner recalls that, close to_ the entrance to Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, as hallowed a resting place of Scotland’s worthies as Westminster Abbey is of England’s historic dead, is an obviously new and bright monument of Aberdeen granite, standing out in contrast with the time-stained grey stone memorials about it. And strange is its inscription: “ To the Memory of John Gray, Died in 1858. Master of ‘ Greyfnars Bobby ’ (‘ and even in his ashes most beloved ’). Erected by American Lovers of Bobby. ’ Bobby, be it known, was a winsome Skye terrier which in our fathers’ days'-was almost a s much an Edinburgh character as was Ur Brown’s “ Hob.” For 14 years he kept watch at his master’s grave. Bobby himself is remembered by a beautiful marble drinking fountain for men and dogs, a stone’s throw from the entrance to the churchyard. It is surmounted by a life-size statu© of the “ wee beastie.” The inscription runs as follows: “ ‘ Greyfraire Bobby,’ From the Life Just Before His Death. In 1858, tins faithful dog followed the remains of His Master to Greyfrairs Churchyard, and lingered near the spot until his death in 1872.” It was erected by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts in 1872. This inscription practically tells the story. It only remains to be added that back in the ’fifties John Grav was a farmer who came regularly to Edinburgh to attend the Wednesday market, always attended by his shaggy terrier, Bobby. Then, as now, the hour of one was boomed out by a gun on the castle ; heights, a boom by which people all over the city set their clocks and watches. It was Gray’s custom then to repair for lunch to an eatinghouse in the neighbourhood of Greyfriars kept by one Traill, who took quite an interest in both the dog and his master, always giving Bobby a bun or ?. bone. Gray died in 1858. On the third day following th© funeral in which Gray was laid to rest close by the historic church, the habitues of Traill’s place were surprised just as the echoes of the 1 o’clock gun were dying away to see a dog, the picture of woo and hunger, run in and approach the proprietor, into whoso eyes he g id beseechingly. Traill, immediately recognising Bobby, gave him a bun in answer to his silent pleading. The dog, without waiting to eat it, ran out of the restaurant, carrying his lunch in his mouth. Next day Bobby appeared again at the same hour, and again received the bun, running away hastily with it. When he came a third time Traill from curiosity followed the dog, which made straight for Greyfrairs churchyard, and lay down near his master’s grave to eat his bun. It was soon learned that the chief and perhaps only mourner of the kind-hearted old farmer was his fourfooted friend. After the interment of his master he refused to leave the humble mound which marked the grave until compelled by the pangs of hunger; and then it was only to return with all speed. Over and over Bobby was taken back to his former home in the country, but he always returned to his post. Here he continued day and night in all weathers, stoutly resisting the friendly advances made by compassionate strangers desirous of providing th© dog with a home, and taking refuge only in rough weather under a tombstone nearby. He continued his daily visits to the lunch room punctually at the hour of one, always receiving his bun from the kindly proprietor. This had been going on for nine years when Bobby and his friend got into trouble with the law, both Bobby and the restaurant proprietor being arraigned for failure in all this time to pay the 7s yearly for a dog license. Bobby was arraigned as a “ vagrant ” before three magistrates. His friend defended him, telling the story of his devoted death watch. Thereupon the magistrates decided to temper justice with mercy, remitting license fee and fine and dismissing the charge against Traill of harbouring an unregistered dog. He died in 1872, and was buried in a grave near his master’s, now marked by a rosebush.