Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-05-21
A DOG TALE.

lem Railroad who have not heard of the
educated dog at Scarsdale depot. His
name is Knapp. He is the property of
Mr.. George Ullman, the station master.
Knapp is shepherd dog, about two
feet high and covered with dark brown
shaggy hair. lie was born in the
Scotch Highlands nearly four years ago,
IN his infancy Knapp was imported at
considerable trouble by gentleman of
Scarsdale, who, being called suddenly
to Europe shortly afterward, gave him
to Mr.. Ullmah. Noticing genius and
intelligence in Knapp, Mr.. Ullnian be-
gan to train him. Now Knapp can
perform many wonderful feats. He has
been taught to assist his master in the
performance Of his duties around the
depot. Knapp has learned to tell by
the clock when a train is Que; and at
hight when the hands point to tie prop.
er hour Knapp takes Lantern in his
mouth and stands on the platform with
the light guiding the engineer to the
stopping place. Knapp knows an ex>
press train from mail train, and mail
train from way train. In the day
time when an express train approaches
the station and the track is clear Knapp
shows white flag which signifies all
| is we'll.
Not many days ago Knapp appeared
with the white flag as an express train
hove in sight, bnt seeing two small chill
dren going down the wagon road igno-
rant Of the approach of the train, be
saw that the children would reach the
crossing simultaneously with the train.
Knapp dropped the white flag and seiz
ing the red flag in bis mouth, he darted
toward the crossing. The engineer saw
the red flag and shut off steam before
the animal reached the children. Ar
irving at the crossing he stood there
and prevented tie train from passing
until the children were safely over the
track; then he laid the flag down and
the train went on
On another occasion Knapp snatched
a child from in front Of a way train just
as it was stopping at the depot. The
child's clothing was torn by the wheels
of the locomotive, so narrowly had it
escaped death.
Knapp consults the clock every day
for the arrival of the mail trains. A few
moments before the mail is due Knapp
stations himself at the mail rack, and
when the bag is thrown from the car
he carries it to the post-office, and if it
confirms any letters tor his master he
takes them back to him.
When the freight trains begin to
switch cars at the depot Knapp always
takes red flag and trots up or down
the track, as the case may be, and flags
any train that comes in sight. Knapp
always keeps his position faithfully I'M
til called in by Signals, just as any 9th
er fagman does, Engineers all know
Knapp, and faithfully act upon his sig
mails. After the departure of freight
tram Knapp often walks down the
track and carefully examines the switch
es to see that the brakemen have left
them all right. Satisfied that no blum
ders have beer made, he walks back to
the depot, and if the clock shows him
that he has few leisure moments, he
signifies to his master a desire for a
pipe. BIZ. Ullman has taught him to
smoke, and he always keeps Knapp's
pipe ready for lighting when he calls
tor it. The pipe being lighted
the animal sits on a chair and smokes
with as much apparent ease and COM
fort as his master.
Mr.. Ullman is a good musician. He
has piano in the ladies' room of the
depot, and often performs on it. Knapp
has been taught to sing or whine the
tunes which Mr.. Ullman plays. The
dog often perches himself on a chair
beside his master with his fore feet on
the piano frame, and accurately turns
the sheets Of music with his tongue.
Knapp can waltz, dance schottische
or polka as well as any one can on
four legs.
Of late some of the mischevious
brake,nen have thrown snow-balls at
Knapp just as the trains started, or
have made ugly faces Or stamped their
feet at him. He seemingly took no
notice of these insults, but on Monday
one Of the brakesmen went into the
depot to get drink of water When
he started out Knapp stood in the door
and would not allow him to move. He
made movement as though about to
administer kick, and Knapp opened /
his mouth and uttered growl, which
convinced the brakeman that such
proceeding would be dangerous
Knapp kept his prisoner in the room
until the train had gone SO far that the
brakeman couldn't catch it, and then
releasing him, Knapp walked away as
unconcernedly as though nothing un-