Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/82

ately fond of all animals in general, and dogs a table near the window, which is inscribed:in particular. "Nellie" has been dead some time, but Ashby Sterry wrote a poem on her. A very simple story. Mr. Yates was at the Dogs' Home one day. "Nellie" stood up on her hind legs and looked so pitiful that he bought her. "From that day until her death, nine years afterwards, in the summer of 1887," said Mr. Yates, "she would sleep in no other place than on my bed, or on a sofa in the room. That is 'Tatters'"—pointing to a small canvas by Sir Henry Thompson.

"Tatters."
From a Picture by Sir Henry Thompson.

"He was a diminutive blue Skye terrier—and Sir Henry painted him in the act of devouring a box ticket which Sothern sent my wife for the theatre. I hope the box agreed with him! It was rather inconvenient, to say the least of it, for Sothern, in his merry way, said that if we wanted to go to the theatre we should have to present the dog at the box-office, as he carried the order!"

There are several good pictures in the hall, including "Gipsy" and "The Slut," two favourite horses of Mr. Yates, now dead.

The dining-room.
From a Picture by Elliott & Fry.

To the right and left of the hall are the drawing-room and Mrs. Yates's room. As we enter the latter I am reminded that Mr. Yates was married in April of 1853, before he had arrived at his twenty second birthday. He is not an opponent of early marriages, judging by the dedication of his volume of "Reminiscences," lying on a table near the window, which is inscribed:—

Mrs. Yates possesses a weakness, and cultivates it. Flowers! Hence the small tables are crowded with blossoms, and the corners of the room are hidden by them. Flowers and pictures harmonize. Immediately over the mantelpiece is Storey's portrait of Mrs. Yates, whilst on an easel