The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-08-10
A DOG THAT PLAYs EUCHRE,


wes;er made it unpleasant to remain ON
deck. A middle aged, keen-eyed, sandy
haired man was the most restless indi-
vldual IN the cabin. He appeared to be
somewhat annoyed by the walking back
wards and forwards of dark-haired, fine
looking young man, whose every step was
followed and movements watched by
large sized spaniel poodle dog that shght-
ly limped with his left fore leg. The
sandy haired man finally accosted the man
with the dog:
81 say, stranger, it's very dull here;
can't we get up game of euchre p
II don't care much about playing, sir;
but my dog here plays tolerable fair
game. Perhaps he'll try hand with
you"
mo jokes, if you please am an old
euchre player, and very fond of the game.
L once played three nights in succession
with Gen. Hillyer, and beat him two to
his one" SAID the sandy haired man, rath-
er sternly.
81 am not joking, sir; tell you hon.
estly that my dog can play a good game
of euchre. I'll warm him up a little and
show you what he can do before you play
with him.
BY this time the conversation had at
tracted the attention of the other passen-
gers, and they had gathered around the
dog and man.
Now, gentlemen, please to step back,
so as to form good sized ring, and we'll
show some specimens of canine sagacity
that may astonish you," said the owner
Of the dog.
AS soon as the ring had been made the
dog man shouted:
'Come, Sport, give us a walk around
on your ear"
Sport Immediately raised himself on
his fore legs and walked around the circle
with his head close TO the carpet, his lame
leg giving him the appearance of sliding
on his ear.
The man next took ten cent stamp,
rolled it up into little newspaper ball,
made dozen other balls of the same size
and appearance, mixed them up and threw
them on the carpet,
"Now. Sport, pick out the one with a
stamp in it,
Sport Immediately walked around the
paper wads, looked at them eagerly, and
pulled out the one with the stamp
Sports master pulled a pack of cards
! about the size of ordinary playing cards
from his pocket. Each card had black
letter printed on it. The cards were
| placed round in circle, with the letter
uppermost.
''Sport, tell the ladies and gentlemen
| where you came from this evening""
Sport walked around tie cards until he
came to the letter p this he took in his
mouth and laid one side, and then took
the letter r and placed beside it, and SO
on until he had spelled Providence
"Sport, old fellow, where are you
| bound for g.
Sport spelled out New York in the
same manner.
The letter cards were now taken I'D
and pack of playing cards laid in their
place.
"Well, Sport, what do you say to play
| ing game of euchre with this gentleman?"
inquired his master.
Sport didn't appear to be very eager,
but hung his head little, as if tired.
''Oh, there is plenty of time; you never
retire until nine, you know. Just look
at my watch"
Sport jumped to his masters knees and
looked at the watch which was held be-
fore his eyes.
Snow, Sport, tell US the right time to
the minute
Sport walked round the cards again
and took nine>spot in his mouth, which
he laid on one side of the ring. Then
! he picked up seven-spot and laid it
short distance from the nine>spot. He
followed this up by placing tray and
ten-spot by the side Of the seven. The
man then showed his watch to the spec
tators. 1t wanted just twenty minutes
to nine.
'Before you commence the game, Sport,
| want to see whether your head is clear.
Supposing you were playing a game of
old sledge with Boss Tweed for charter
of railroad against million dollars, and
the game stood six TO six, and it was your
deal, what card would you like to turn
up?"
Sport walked around the ring and
turned up the jack of spades.
''Right, old Sport, your head is level"
said his master, patting the dog fondly.
Then turning to Gen. HilIyer's friend,
he said
''In playing with Sport it will be neces-
sary for you to deal his cards face up
This will give you an advantage. In
order to make the game even deal Sport
| ten cards. As soon as the trump is made
he will pick out five and lay the rest aside.
When Sport passes he will turn one of his
cards over. When he orders you up he
will nod his heaG.'
Gen. Hillyer's friend agreed to the ar
ran2ement, shuffled the cards, dealt Sport
| ten cards and five IN b;usolf t,rn;no mn