taple in value as diamonds.

The number of letters we have received from all over the country,
particularly from the West, complaining of the skin games played upon them
by fake kennels and dealers, would make an angel weep, and make one almost
regret that one ever knew a Boston. If the same ingenuity, skill and
patience employed in the getting up of these fake advertisements had been
devoted to the breeding of the dog, this class of advertising gentry (?)
would have produced something fit to sell. It is stated on the best of
authority that in some cases nothing was shipped for money received.

In spite of this vast number of unscrupulous breeders and dealers
scattered abroad, I think the chances for reliable kennels was never so
good as now in the history of the breed. Cream will always rise, and right
dealing, whether in dogs or diamonds, will ever meet with their just
returns. Remember that one never forgets being "taken in" in a horse
trade, and when, instead of a horse a dog is involved, I think one never
forgives as well. To that number of persons who, in their daily walks of
life are fairly honest, but who, when it comes to a trade in dogs are apt
to lose that fine sense of justice that should characterize all
transactions, we would say with Shakespeare: "To thine own self be true.
Thou canst not then be false to any man." Yea, we would repeat the command
of a greater than Shakespeare, to whom, I trust, we all pay reverence,
when He lays down for us all the Golden Rule: "Whatsoever ye would that
men would do to you, do ye even so to them."

To go back to the responsible buyer who is in the market for a good dog,
we say: Send your orders to responsible men, with said dogs to sell,
stating exactly what you want, and the price you desire to pay, agreeing
to send a check just as soon as dogs prove satisfactory, assuming, of
course, express charges. Reputable dealers and breeders are looking for
just such customers.

To all breeders and dealers who have not an established reputation, would
say: Advertise accurately what you have for sale in first class reliable
papers and magazines. In regard to prices, the following scale, adopted by
us many years ago, and which we have never seen since any reason to
change, is practically as follows:

For pups from two to three months old, from fifty to seventy-five dollars.
When six months old, from seventy-five to a hundred: From six months to
maturity, from one hundred to two