, 1876-02-25
Brute Sagacity.

Mr. S. B. Randall, express agent at this
place, gives us an interesting instance of
intelligence in dog. He has a large dog
that has been accustomed to run with the
express wagon, and to occupy the seat
and guard the wagon when Mr.. Randall
leaves it, no matter where or how long,
He is also in the habit of making war on
other dogs that come near him which
makes the performance of what we are
about to relate all the more remarkable.
Some two or three weeks ago Mr.. Ran
dali had left his wagon standing at the
depot, and the dog occupied the seat as
usual. After long time, and when the
dogs usual dinner hour had elapsed,
another dog passed near the wagon. Our
dog here jumped from his seat, and in
stead of attacking the stranger as was
usual with him, he approached him, wag-
ging his tail in a friendly manner, and
speedily made friends with him; and then
by dint of such dog language as he was
master of, coaXed the stranger to the
wagon and induced him to jump up with
him and take his position on the seat.
When that was done and the stranger
sufficiently assured and instructed, ap-
parently by fondling and cuddling, our
watch dog jumped down and went straight
home, where he received his dinner The
strange dog remained faithfully at his
post until Mr.. Randll's dog returned,
accompanied by his master, who took
possession of the wagon. Atthat the sub
stitute seemed alarmed las though his right
there would not be recognized, and start
ed as if to jump out; but Watch prompt
ly jumped into the wagon and prevented
kim by putting his head in the way and
reassuring him by wag of the tail. Thus
they both rode to the express office,
where the stranger soon after took his
leave. These particulars are fully vouched
for by Mr.. Randall, who was at the house
when the dog came for his dinner, and by
Rev. Mr.. Douglass and Mr.. Mcfarland,
who were at the depot and saw the first
interview between the dogs. They fur
nish a very remarkable instance of brute
Sagacity, leaving little room to doubt that
the watch dog, missing his dinner, and
being sensible of his trust, exercised suf-
ficient reasoning power to think that he
might supply his place and go for his
dinner, and made the strange dog under
stand what he wanted and induced him to
do it.
Another occurrence that may apprO-
priately be introduced here, is related to
US by the Hon. VIM. H. Shepard of this
place. He has a cat at his house which
lost litter of young kittens a few days
ago, and like Rachel refused to be COM
forted. Mr.. Shepard's little boy about
that time found a nest of wild rabbits
and brought the young ones home and
placed them in box, covering it with
boards. The next morning it was found
that the boards had been pushed aside and
the young rabbits had disappeared. The
old cat was observed in the neighborhood
and there was no doubt that she had sur
rounded those rabbits in the natural way.
1t was then the boys turn to mourn; but
his grief was soon turned to joy by the
discovery of the rabbits all safely slowed
away in nest in a stable, where the old
cat tenderly cared for them and exhibited
all the solicitude over Their every move
ment that she would over her own young.
Bereft Of her natural babies, she has
adopted those who would naturally fall a
prey % iief cafniv ivefods appetite, and per
forms the maternal office, giving then
her assiduous attention and afordine
them the needed lacteal refreshment.-
GeneseO Republic.