The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-08-26
A DOG THAT PLAYS HUcHRH,

L =
main csban Of the Rrovidsaes steamer Meta A
disaereeabls nsrth-vsstee nale il unpleasant "a
remain on deck Amlddle-aged, keen-eyed, san.
dy haired man vas the most restless individual
in the cabin. HeAppeared to b somewhat en-
nofed BY the Walking backwards and forwards
OF q dark haired. hne looking young man, whose
every step was followed and movements watched
by . large sized Spanish poodle that slightly
limped with his left fore leg. The sandy haired
man finally acoosted the man who was followed
BY the dog:
II say, strsnger. it's very dull hero; can't we
get up game Of euchre ?"
Il don't care much about playing. sir. but my
dog here plays tolerably fair game. Perhaps
he'll try hand with you"
| mo jokes, 1t you please; am an old player,
and very fond of the game. I once played three
him two to his one," said the sandy haired man
rather sternly.
II am not joking, sir; tell you honestly that
my dog can play good game of euchre I'll
harm him up little and show You what he can
do before you play with him."
By this time the conversation had attracted
the attention of the other passengers, and they
had gathered round the dog and men.
"Now, gentlemen, step back, so as to form
good sized ring, and we'll show you some speci.
| mems of canine sagacity that may sstonish you"
/ said the owner of the dog.
Az sosn as the ring had been made the dog
man shouted:
''Come, Sport, give us 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 in little newspaper ball, made dozen other
ha11s ~ tha eayna eizo and upoAorouno ,,;~.1
them up and threw them on the carpet.
Snow, Sport, pick out the one with the stamp
| in it." -I
Sport Immediately walked around the paper
wads, looked at them eargly, and pulled out the
one with the stamp.
Sports master now 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 around in cir.
Gle with the letters uppermost.
sport, tell the ladies and gentlemen where
you came from this evening"
! Sport. walked round the cards until he came
to the letter P 1; this he took in his mouth and
laid one side. and then took the letter H and
placed beside it, and 50 on uatil he mad spelled
| Providence.
"Sport, old fellow, where are you bound for ?"
Sport spelled out New York in the same man
The letter cards were now taken up and pack
| Of playing cards laid in their place.
| "Well, Sport, what do you say to playing
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 before his eyes,
| "Now, Sport, tell US the right time to min.
ute"
Sport walked round the cards again and took
| . nine spot in his mouth, which he laid on one
side of the ring. He then picked up a seven
spot and laid it Q 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 spectators. 1t wanted
just twenty minutes to nine.
"Before you commence tho game, Sport. I
want to see whether your head is clear. Sup.
pose yoa were playing game of old sledge with
Boss Tweed tor charter foe q railroad against
million dollars, and the game stood six to six
and it was your deal, what GARD would you like
to turn up%
Sport walked around the ring aad turned up
the jack of spades.
Fright, old Sport, your head il level" said his
master, patting the dog fondly. -
Then, turning to General Hillyer's friend, he
said:
I'm playing with Sport it will be necessary 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 Us the trump
10 made he will pick out five and throw the rest
aside. When Sport passes he will turn one of
his cards over. When he orders you up he will
nod his head"
Gea. Hillyefs friend agreed to the arrange.
meut, shufiled the cards, dealt Sport ten cards
and FIVE to himself, turning up the nine of dis.
nonds. Sport passed, and Gen. Hillyer's friend
took it up Sport then selected the queen of
diamonds, ten OF diamonds, eight of diamonds.
and ace and king Of hesrts.-Sport led with the
ace; Gen. Hillyer's friend followed suit and lost
| the trick. Sport then laid down the queen
Gen Hillyers friend took it with the left bower.
The right bower was then slung at Sport; he
laid the eight spot upon it-Taking the trick.
hillysr's friend laid down the nine spot Sport
taking 1t with the ten. The dog then showed the
king Of hearts at Hillyer's friend, who had to
| hand over the queen of clubs with the excla.
nation;
"Euchred, a. sure a. fate, and by POODLE"
Two more hands were then played Sport win.
| ming the game.
"Now," said the owner of the dog "le down
and rest, Sport; you have done aobly."
The dog lay down with ousstretched and stiff.
fened legs, q il he were dead.
HIS master pulled first one leg aud then anoth.
er, then pushed and showed him about. but he
gave no signs Of life. Suddenly he sung out
loudly:
here comes the police!'
Sport WAS of like sho, for the forward end
of ,h- cat hin.
A mo who witnessed these wonderful tricks
could detect no signal between the dog and his