Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-25
A Good Dog story.

An English friend of the writer, who resided
many years in Texas, Travelled, when young
| man, in France. He became the purchaser OF a
| poodle dog belonging to non-commissioned
officer Of an infantry regiment stationed in
Paris. The dog was the pet of the whole COM
mand, from its great intelligence and the many
amusing as well as remarkable tricks that it
performed. Our EugliShman, then gay, wild,
Jolly young man of fortune, saw the poodle blow
out a lighted candle every time it was held to his
nose John Bull like, he determined to own
that dog if he had to box with The whole regi-
ment. 1t was with great difficulty that he could
induce the sergeant to agree to part with his dog,
| so afraid was he of the anger of the regiment
and it was only by offering very large price,
| half in advance and balance on delivery, that
| the Englishman carried his point, and he had to
| wait some time for the regiment TO leave Paris
ere the poodle could be transferred.
To describe all the strange and wonderful
| tricks that this sagaciOus poodle could perform
| all taught their pet by over one thousand sol
diers in their hours Of leisure, during two or
three years that he served with them-would be
useless forthey would not he believed. Many
time during the war the evening camp fire in
Texas has been made gay and lively by the
stories our English friend told OF his poodle dog.
The incidents were comic and wonderful, and
their effect was heightened by his inimitable
manner of telling them.
On one occasion, of a hot summer day, our
English friend (whOm we will call uingsby)
went win Otler En@llSlmeQ to pay Il game OF
cricket, lust outside of Calais. Such active ex-
ercise in such hot weather, naturally made
everybody thirsty, and it was not long ere all
the party's drinkables had vanished in the way
that turntables generally disappear among
thirsty men on hot summer day, The pame
was along one and well contested, and by and
by everybody got thrstier than before Their
| disgust on finding that there was nothing at
hand to quench thirst, and no place near by
where quenchables could be obtained was loud
" expressed. Everybody declared that it was
impossible to 90 on with the game without
something 10 drink vet to rive up the game
was not to be thought of bv We Britons bold
Illngsby who, with his poodle (named Zou-
| Zon) had been a quiet lookcr-on of the game
now stepped forward; and, as many of the
crcketers had doubted his stories of the poodle's
intellectual capacity, he offered to bet them, one
| and all, that he could send Zouzon back TO the
city and get something to drink for them; and
that the dor would not only Get the refresh.
ment, but would bring it back, all by himself,
and simply on his mere verbal Instructions
"Done!' cried every cricketer at once, with Eng.
fish faith in betting.
illingsby called Zouzon. The dog came. "Sit
up, sir, when gentleman speaks to youVo
Zouzon sat up. looking as grave and dignited
as could be. "Now, gentlemen" said Illingsby,
81 will whisper his instructions in Zouzon'S
ears; and, after he is gone, | will tell you what
[ directed him to do" "Agreedp
IlIingsby stopped down and whispered TO the
poodle, and then patting him on the head said
sharply, cop Off darted the dog at n rapd
rate straight for Calais.
"Gentemen," said lllingsby, 'T ordered Zou-
zon to 90 to my rooms in the hotel ask the
landlord for the key; 90 in my bedroom: he
would find bottle of Burgundy on the centre
table; he is to put it in one of my boots, which
he will find in the corner; and bring them, boot
and bottle, TO me here"
An uproarious burst Of derisive laughter
greeted this announcement. "Will you double
the bets2" said Illingsby, eyes yesP said
they, one and ALL
The distance to Calais was considerable: but
Zouzon kept steadily and rapidly on and pres
emily was seen no more. After resting awhile,
the cricketers resumed their game, determined
to finish it as speedily as possible. and then 90
back TO the city for an early dinner and plenty
of iced thrst-quenchables. They nut not the
slightest faith in IllingSby's dog; his burgundy
was a myth.
Presently, in the heighth of the game, Kings
by exclaimed "There he comesl' Every player
stopped and looked down the broad, Straight.
level avenue leading to the city. There was a
dark spot dimly visible in the distance. "Two
to one it's not the poodlep exclaimed one
cricketer. 'Done" exclaimed Illingsby,
Nearer and nearer came the black spot. II
moved very slowly. Still on it came. steadily.
"Two to one, if it is the dog, that he didn't Oct
what he was sent forP exclaimed another crick.
eter. fsDonep said Ilingsby, beginning TO Get
excited.
1t was soon certain that the black SPOT was
black dog, and that the black dog was Zouzon
and, being bic, strong fellow, if was seen thai
he was holding Ills head unusually biGh in tbe
air, and that he carried some object In his
mouth.
Gle has the bootp exclaimed Illipgsbv.
Snanpinp his fppers in triunnb 0TUo III ON
there's nothing in the boot!" shouted an ex.
cited cricketer 'Donep shouted Illingsbv,
who would have bet any amount on his IA.