The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-03-28
4 CUNNING DOG.

Il CUNNING DOG.
Dogs sometimes exhibit traits that are
almost human and we sometimes wonder
whether Pytbagoras was very far wrong in
his theory that the souls of men at their
death, and also before their creation, in
habit the bodies of animals.
Certainly, il so, the soul of certain little
black spaniel named Mig must origi-
inally have belonged to some greedy boy
whose indulgent parents fed him upon
knicknacks until be died, for never was
there an animal more particular in his taste
in regard to food. Many times Mig would
60 supperless to bed because his little mas
ter insisted upon his eating plain bread and
butter instead of cake and he was known
to fast an entire day on one occasion, be-
cause his breakfast consisted Of fried pota-
toes and beef bones rather than hot rolls, Of
which he was extravagantly fond.
But little boys learn to get their own
way, and little dogs are quite as apt
After a time, Mig concluded that the
only sure method Of obtaining what be
wanted was to eat, or hide away, what was
given him and then beg for more and
therefore, he would carry OFF the crusts
which he found upon his plate, bury -hem
at the foot of the garden and then return,
and with wagging tail ask for a doughnut
or q cookie, which be seldom failed to re-
ceive.
BY this and other tricks the spaniel gen
orally managed to secure such food as he
best liked, and, for long time, the shrewd-
ness which he exhibited and the hearty
laughs which he excited made his master
forget how bad were the habits which he
was forming. But one day Mig made too
great fuss about the supper which was
placed before him, and, as punishment, q
severe order was issued
The dog was TO eat just what Was lcfs
from the table AMI nothing more. What
vas good enough for the family must do
for him.
That night NiS slept in happy uncou-
seriousness CT the new rule but Y ben morn
ing came, and breakfast was over, its full
import became known TO him. For his
master had eaten Goldfish ami potato, aud
Goldfish and potato was all that was left for
Master Mig.
\ plate with the fishy food was prepared
and placed in Nig's corner, and he was in
vited to partake. At first he approached
with evident hunger and delight, snuiing
eagerly at the offered plate but when his
nose told him what l. contained his coun-
tenance and his tail both fell. He looked
T at his master in reproachful manner aud
turned sadly away. He was called back
and ordered to eat. Slowly he returned,
but, instead Of eating, he carefully pushed
every particle of the food from the plate TO
the floor, crowded it close under the rim Of
the dish, and again retired to a chair where
+ he seated himself, looking soberly at the
plate aud then at his master as though en-
tering remonstrance against such break
fast
But his master was obdurate and spoke
sternly:
'NiG, you must eatIthat fish and potato
before you have anything else"
No sooner were the words spoken than
the dog leaped from The chair, ran to the
door, and disappeared.
For two entire days nothing was seen of
lin, and his master began to fear that tho
little fellow was lost. when early upon the
morning of the third day Mig presented
himself.at the door and began 60 beg for
his breakfast as usual
Hoping that the dogs hunger had over
come his scruples. the fish and potato we're
again presented to him. lie regarded 1t
for a moment with sorrowful air, ears and
tail dropping low, and then quietly walked
out Of the door without tasting II.
This time lie was gone nearly a week.
and when, at last, he returned. his master
succumbed. The obnoxious fish aud 2ota-
r to were thrown away, and Mig Jared sump.
tuously upon fresh beef and hot rolls
; Since that time the spaniel has eaten only
2 such food as be prefers. Like many chill
z dreu he had fought the battle out and con
duered. - Wide Aicake.