Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-06-04
Miserll
A Chapter About Pets.

Ny family of pets consisted OF an Eng
lish setter OF the name of Ncstor. a small
Iong-haired lapdog of my wife',, named
Iris. monkey called Katy. a fine large
cockatoo with an orange crest, and gray
cat.
When | had the good luck to get Nestor
ne was a year old, OF good size, aud had
black curly hair, with white spot on the
breast. He also had very fine head, with
a rather serious-looking face and large in
tellisent hazel eyes. OF his tail can give
only sorry account, for. according TO a
German fashion. il had been cut of in i'll
fancy. and only lew inches OF stump
were LEFT. ornamented with a curly tutt.
When began to teach him the elements
OF his future calling, and attempted TO
quicken his understanding by the use of a
whip. lie reminded me, somewhat forcibly,
that he was freeborn Briton; that is. he
flew at my throat, which did not approve
of
However. AFTER some lessons we under
stood each other better. l treated him
more politely, and he, seeing that never
punished him uDjustly. submitted quietly,
but always with dignity, to my corrections (;
only, il there was difference of opinion
In reference to the measure of punishment
for he wanted me to judge after his in
tentions-he snarled and showed his teeth.
After a time he became an accomplished
dog in the field. and when | went out with
him partridge shooting in the wide plains
around Leipsic used to sit down in the
shade of some tree, whilst he. with his
nose high in the air, beat the field. When
he stopped and looked round l knew that
birds were about two or three hundred
PAGES before him. He remained Oh the
spot until came up with him, and then
he commenced TO advance cautiously.
When it happened that missed bird.
Nestor looked at me with such an express
i've face that could not forbear saying,
Don't take it i'll, old fellow; it will not
happen again"
The dog was almost always in my room,
and am fully convinced that he learnt Il
good deal of the human language, for he
frequently took notice of what was spoken
in the usual manner in conversation, and
in nowise addressed to him. All the chill
dren of the meighborhood noticed that
and said. "Nestor understands u.s." When
ever conversed with visitors about shoot
ing he took part in the conversation; thai
is, he laid his head on my knee and listen
ed. and by the expression Of his eyes and
tail it became evident that he had at least
an idea of the conversation.
Sometimes | amused myself with enter
to him OF shooting, and as l repeated al
the signs and words used in the field. b,
understood me perfectly and felt interest
ed and amused. What said reminded
his Imagination at work. That the soul o
dogs is always busy, like that of man, bu
of course within doggish limits, is certain
Everybody will have noticed that dog
dream. Nestor's dreams led him yer
frequently into the woods; he moved hi
feet. as in running, through he was lyin
on his side, and barked in a subdued voict
but in the same manner, as he was in tn
habit of doing aloud in pursuit Of larg
game. If the dreams brought him int
pleasant positions it was indicated by tn
moving Of his tail.
Sometimes, when Nestor was sitting b
tween my knees, growled, for fun, like
dog. At nrst he looked seriously and il