wished) in every respect, a check will be accepted, and not before.  Should the dog at any time prove unsatisfactory in any way, the purchase money will be cheerfully refunded, or a dog of equal value will be sent in exchange.  In the case of a bitch that fails to become a good breeder, the same plan, of course, is followed.  In regard to the sale of puppies, we guarantee them (barring accidents, and the showing of them, when owner assumes risks) to reach maturity, and in case they do not, refund purchase money, or send on another puppy of equal value.

Of course, where the buyer is not known, or personally recommended, then the seller has to adopt entirely different methods.  Still, I see no reason why an honest man who has a Boston, or any other dog, for sale, or, in fact, any article of merchandise, should not be willing to send on the same to any honest buyer.  This is on the assumption, of course, that both parties are honorable men.  To the seller I advise the purchase money being received before the dog is shipped, and express charges guaranteed, if the buyer is not known or unable to supply absolutely reliable references.  Decline to receive any order where the object sought is to obtain a dog to use to breed to a bitch, or several, as the case may be, and then be returned as unsatisfactory.  We have had no experience in this line, but are informed it has frequently been done.  If such a customer presents himself, simply tell him he can inspect the dog or have an expert do so for him if too far away to come, but that when the deal is closed and the money paid that under no conditions whatever can the dog be returned.  In regard to the seller shipping the dog to its destination, we will say that we think he will run practically no risk in so doing.  If the dog is all right in every way it is dollars to doughnuts that he will arrive in perfect condition.  We can say that in over twenty years’ shipments of dogs to all parts of the country and beyond we have never had a dog die en route, lost, exchanged, or stolen.  I think the express companies of this country, Canada, Mexico, and beyond, are to be highly commended for the excellent care they take of the dogs committed to their charge, neither do I think the express charges are ever excessive, when one considers the value of the dogs carried.

We will now consider the case of the buyer, assuming, of course, he is known or capable of presenting suitable references.  We always advise him to deal with kennels or dealers of established reputations.  Run no chances with any other unless you desire to be “trimmed.”  Pray do not be misled by glowing advertisements (stating that they have the largest kennels on earth) in every paper that does not know them.  I have investigated quite a number of these so-called kennels and found they usually consisted of an old box stall in a cheap stable, or a room over an equally cheap barroom, and their stock in trade consisted of two or three mutts.