The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-28
DO6 SPRAY.


The words, spoken in an affectionat
tone, were answered by Joyful bark, An,
a large black and tan dog spfang into tn
room, and leaped up against his master
licked his hand and snapped playfully a
his feet.
| His entrance now, when many littl,
folks were having an evening party, wa,
greeted with lively c1apping of hands
for Spray was great pet, and had beer
taught by the gentleman who owned hin
to do some wonderful tricks. Many o.
the company begged that he be allowed t.
show these tricks, az some of the youne
guests had never seen them; and Sprays
master readily consented.
"Here, STRIP said the gentleman, In 6
tone of command. after Spray had beer
introduced all around p" show me how
big people waltz" s5.9
| Spray pricked up his ears intelligently
and, as his master whistled some bars of q
favorite air, rose on his legs and began to
dance around and around, keeping time
with the tune. ISIS
| While the little folks were laughing
heartily at this clever imitation of pop
ular amusement, the gentleman suddenly
cried, "Cigars!''a
The word was scarcely spoken, when
Spray dropped on a1l-fours, and, raising
himself on his fore-paws, walked slowly
about the room in that difficult position
SHOW, SIR" said his master, when he
had done, "we'll do something harder.
Show me how the school master reads"
All Sprays little audience waited with
delight to see how he would do this.
Lifting himself on his launches, he
stretched out his paws, as if he were hold
ing school book, and turning his head
around slowly, with a comical air of se-
verify, as if trying to get the attention
of imaginary scholars, he began to open
and shut his jaws, SO as to initiate reading
the lesson.
Big word, Sprayp' said his owner, as
his pet was thus acting the schoolmaster,
reminding him that long, hard word was
near at hand.
Spray took the hint, and with funny
look that made all the party laugh, opened
his jaws very wide indeed, to show his
scholars how to pronounce the hard word
the dog dropped to the floor at sign, and
allowed himself to be petted and praised
by the company.
"Tell me-" said his master, after q
time, whether you would rather be q
wicked traitor or die foryour country ?"
Spray, on hearing the question, ran
around the room, and at last, finding a
soft spot on the carpet, rolled over on his
back, c1rled up his legs, and closed his
eyes, to show the company that, if he had
his choice, he would die hero. As he
Law this way, the little folks tried to make
him move by coaxing and threats; but he
did not stir until his master cried " Po-
lice!',.s And then he sprang up and ran
to him, as if for protection from the
dreaded policeman When told that the
policeman had gone away, however, he
came out from his hiding place, and
turned sOmersault on the floor, as much
as tn say:
"I'm not a bit afraid I'll play as
muck as 1 like, spite Of all the policemen
in the world"
"Go and open that door, sirl'' said his
master, pointing to the parlor door, that
stood slightly aiar.
Spray, hearing the command, spraDg
away from the girls who we're petting
him, and creeping through the opening
into the hall, raised himself on his hind
legs, and pushed the doT wide open
against the wall.
NEW, shut it again, sir!'' said his
master; and Spray obeyed, forcing his
way behind the door, raising himself on
his hind legs as before, and slamming it
to with loud bang.
"That's good dog" said his master,
there and bring me your tall"
With that, Spray went into the corner
and began to run around in 2 circle.
- \ a.