Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-02
A Musical Dog.

professor of music, and is much sought
after by select parties giving social
private entertainments. The Professor
is known IN musical ciclts as man
OF extraordinary musical talents. he
ing able TO play on almost every in
strument, from jews harp up. Pro
fesSor Bings has companion that is
looked upon as even a greater curioSi
ty, in whose parsonage his friends
and acquain tances see none other than
hit faithful dog Momer for which his
master has alreauy refused different
large sums of money. The dog is
very much attached TO its master. In
deed, it is scarcely out of his presence
for moment Homer has been a
constant listener to the Professors
practice on different instruments. and
has become such an adept IN music
that the moment his master uses a
wrong note ne growls first, and should
the discordant strain be repeated he
bowls vociferously until the right note
is struck.
A reporter for the Mail and Express
learning of Homers rare ability, call
ed upon friend of Mr. Bings, a Mr..
Thomas Himmel, yesterday and was
told Of
MANY WONDERFUL TESTS
to which the dog has been put tc test
his ear for music, and he has never
failed yet.
al was a party of one said Mr..
Himmel to the writer, "who had no
faith in the alleged wonderful ear of
the dog, aud to back up my assertion
that it was all sham offered to bet
800 and quiet supper for a small
number o. friends that ! would play
upon several musical instruments,
and that the dog would fail to detect
certain diseordant notes, To my sur
prise the Professor covered my bet,
and an evening was appointed to test
the sagacity Of Homer. So that there
could be no mistake, three professors
of music were seleCted to act as ju@ges.
The most important point Of all was
TO get some musical instrument that
Bings did not play on or have ia the
house. and chat / could manipulate.
| struck upon tin whistle and found
upon inquiry that Bings did not have
one, so that the dog could not be used
to 10. The evening came and we were
on hand at BIng house. He wanted
TO exhibit tho sense OF his dog frst,
but | objected and was sustained by
the judges, on the ground that il
Homer had any music in his compo-
eition his ears might be sharpened by
hearing his master play. Without a
word Of warning played Climbing
Up the Golden Stairs correctly,
whereupon the dog got at my feet and
wagged his narrative with apparent
delight. ] followed with the Last
Rose of Summer and purposely
USED A FLAT FOR A SHARP,
TO my utter establishment the dog
did growl. Irepeated It number of
times when Homer appeared TO be
| getting crazy. | tried several other
operate airs with The same effect.
Then we all took a hand in the piano.
the cornet, a concertina, and Autina
were all played upon in turn, and
| give you roy word of honor that
every time mistake, even Of the
most trivial character was made IL
was at once detected by Homer. The
supper was PREPARED, and during the
meal the qu estion was discussed from
every stan dpoint as % how the dog
acquired such keen ear for music.
After suppe r. Of course we bad plerty
to drink The Professor was so de-
Lighted wa h his success that he i'm
bibec prett y freely. Now was my
time to 1in d out sCmeihiDg. got
Blngs into a yGy laxative need and
encouraged him. At FIST every at
tempt 10 find out how he had tducat-
ed his dog failed, but finally his
tongue began 10 veg and he gave the
secret away. Homer is ntarly Ten
years old During that lime his
master has been pIactciDg en- all
kinds of in suumenis. While learn
ng he wou Id, Of course, f1 d j mtelf
run up nd down The scale, nsking
a muddle of the piece. Thu faithful
dog lay a I his feet Every time he
made dis cor dsnt note and got mad
with hifns elf he gave Homer kick
which sen him eff hCwliUg with
pain. This sort Of cbastift mtpt was
so frequent in the early days Of Bipgs
musical les ons that he dog act lally
became &C quainttd with dlfcoldsnt
notes and no matter whom CT where
he hears them he RICwls Ct yelIs as
he did VIII en- Dis m sster kicltd him.
This is the Professors own stoiy sFd
bears every semblerce Ct ruth upon
it. He has won feyJal WsgGs up
on the dog already.
In nearly evely iailIcad STATEN in
London is a mall tex en- legs, Paints