Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-04-08
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MY DOG PRINCE.
An Old Mans "Reminiscences

sulart uoS cannot 90, Ihau What ue eau 10.
My dog Prince, was ten weeks old when
| got he him was black and tan terrier.
| commenced at once teaching him to be
honest, faithful and trustworthy, as we'll
as industrious and vigilan., for L meant
to give him as good an education as |
could. | never allowed anyone to give
him particle of food but myself, SO he
soon learned to know to whom he must
look for the necessaries as well as luxu-
ries of life. never gave him anything
to eat till he had done, or tried to do,
some little trick. And as soon as he
learned one lesson perfect, | commenced
teaching him another. If | went out in
a dark night, and dropped my knife or a
cent piece within "a inches of my track
even amongst the grass, and would say
when l returned "Prince, | have lost
my knife, will You go and seek it?" he
would start and go mile or more if it
was that far off, and was always sure to
find it.
If three or four strangers would be at
our house for supper, he would take no
notice till all were seated, then he would
watch my eye, and if nodded assent he
would march up to one of the visitors,
touch his elbow to draw his attention then
bow his head, all the while standing
on his hind legs-That was begging-and
if the man gave him cent or threw it on
the floor, he would bring OF me touch
my elbow and / would take the cent
and give him a small bit Of meat for il,
then he would 60 to the next and iutro>
duce himself, touch his elbow, bow and
get copper, all the time watching m y
countenance to see il all was right
Should one of the guests refuse to give
him cent, he would stand yard or two
back of him, on his hind legs and just as
soon as he would be going to drink
Prince would run up behind and nudge
his elbow and cause him to spill his tea
or coffee and then run back aud watch
till he tried TO drink again, and then re-
peat the performance, all the time being
too quick for him, so the man would be
unable to drink until he gave Prince q
cent. Should any one at any time give
him cent when we were gone away, he
would patrOnizc the Butcher where he
was well known, but grog shop never
He was far more honest than some people
| have known. He would never touch {
plate Of scraps if it set on the floor before
him, nor let any one else touch it till haC
counted 10. That was his signal, o.
grace before meat. He would hold bit o
beef in his teeth, and not eat it till
counted ten. Once [ remember | put I
piece between his teeth and commenced
counting ten, but call in the shop and
customer caused me to leave him fiv'
minutes or more, but when came bacl
there stood Prince straight up; the bit O
steak between his teeth precisely as
lef. him; l counted ten-Wbere is il
now? Gone the way Of all flesh.
III would tell him to pick the pocket
, of certain lady or gentleman he woul
put on grave look and if he could see
, glove or the corner Of handkerchief b
would draw it out as steadily as any PR
professional thief and then run sroun
the room, and catch him if you can II
y would keep the glove in his mouth an
: keep bis eye on me to see if l was pleased
0 Prince was great favorite with the ID
: dies. If the shop door opened and
It customer came in while was at dim,
u Prince was off like an arrow to the bat
e side of the counter and standing straig
!, up he would give a little bark, and pref
:, soon another as much as to say "yo'
), business man," till | got there and WHIT
n | would wrap up what the lady want'
n and give it to Prince he would take
to her, or if | .old him to do so, he wou
carry it home for her. Should say t
~ word and you would have had even
= small hole in the heel of your stockil
70 " Prince would have reminded you Of
- aud perhaps frighten you too, but n
y hurt you for he was very keen sight
y and full Of fun aud ladies did not we
IN trains in that day. He could do almO
y anything after I would show him or
or twice how to do it. He was very
cial with any one, but they must not ia
him up nor could any ons if he had I
st chance to use his teeth nor would be
any one touch anything | would lay do
and tell him to mind it.
n E. D. S.
Snowville Pulaski County Va.