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Riis, Jacob A., 1849-1914

"The Making of an American"

Its appetite was tremendous,
and its preference for my society embarrassingly unrestrained. It
would not be content to sleep anywhere else than in my room. If I
put it out in the yard, it forthwith organized a search for me in
which the entire neighborhood was compelled to take part, willy-nilly.
Its manner of doing it boomed the local trade in hair-brushes and
mantel bric-a-brac, but brought on complications with the landlord
in the morning that usually resulted in the departure of Bob and
myself for other pastures. Part with him I could not; for Bob loved
me. Once I tried, when it seemed that there was no choice. I had
been put out for perhaps the tenth time, and I had no more money
left to provide for our keep. A Wall Street broker had advertised
for a watch-dog, and I went with Bob to see him. But when he would
have counted the three gold pieces he offered into my hand, I saw
Bob's honest brown eyes watching me with a look of such faithful
affection that I dropped the coins as if they burned, and caught
him about the neck to tell him that we would never part.


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