Jerry, the manager of these dancing dogs, was a tall black- whiskered

man in a velveteen coat, who seemed well known to the landlord and

his guests and accosted them with great cordiality. Disencumbering

himself of a barrel organ which he placed upon a chair, and retaining

in his hand a small whip wherewith to awe his company of comedians,

he came up to the fire to dry himself, and entered into conversation.

Your people don't usually travel in character, do they?' said Short,

pointing to the dresses of the dogs. 'It must come expensive if they

do?'

No,' replied Jerry, 'no, it's not the custom with us. But we've been

playing a little on the road to-day, and we come out with a new

wardrobe at the races, so I didn't think it worth while to stop to

undress. Down, Pedro!'

This was addressed to the dog with the cap on, who being a new

member of the company, and not quite certain of his duty, kept his

unobscured eye anxiously on his master, and was perpetually starting

upon his hind legs when there was no occasion, and falling down

again.

'I've got a animal here,' said Jerry, putting his hand into the capacious

pocket of his coat, and diving into one corner as if he were feeling for a

small orange or an apple or some such article, 'a animal here, wot I

think you know something of, Short.'

Ah!' cried Short, 'let's have a look at him.'

Here he is,' said Jerry, producing a little terrier from his pocket. 'He

was once a Toby of yours, warn't he!'

In some versions of the great drama of Punch there is a small dog - a

modern innovation - supposed to be the private property of that

gentleman, whose name is always Toby. This Toby has been stolen in

youth from another gentleman, and fraudulently sold to the confiding

hero, who having no guile himself has no suspicion that it lurks in

others; but Toby, entertaining a grateful recollection of his old master,

and scorning to attach himself to any new patrons, not only refuses to

smoke a pipe at the bidding of Punch, but to mark his old fidelity

more strongly, seizes him by the nose and wrings the same with

violence, at which instance of canine attachment the spectators are

deeply affected. This was the character which the little terrier in

question had once sustained; if there had been any doubt upon the

subject he would speedily have resolved it by his conduct; for not only

did he, on seeing Short, give the strongest tokens of recognition, but

catching sight of the flat box he barked so furiously at the pasteboard

nose which he knew was inside, that his master was obliged to gather

The Old Curiosity Shop