The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-12-26
PROFESSOR eINoS DOG HOMER.
Ills Extraordinary Attention to Good sn6
Bad Playing and False Notes.
N.,u Mo- nd

New York Mail and Exprcss.J
A reporter learning Of Homer's rare ability
;Glled upon q friend OF Mr.. Bings Q Mr..
Thomas Himmol, the other day, and was
told of many wonderful tests to which the
log has been put to test his ear for music,
ani he has never failed yet
II was party Of one" said Mr.. Himmel
to the writer, "who had no faith in the al
esei wonderful car of the dog, and TO back
up my assertion that 1t was all q sham /
offered to let 800 aud quot supper for
small number of frienls that ] would play
upon several musical instruments and that
the dog would fail to detect certain discord-
ant notes. TO my surprise tho professor
covered my bet and an evening was ap.
pointed to test the sagacity of Homer. SO
that there could he no mistake, three pro-
'essors OF music were selected to act as
judges. The most important point OF all
was 10 get some musical instrument that
Bings did not play on or have In the house.
and that could manipulate. struck upon
a tin whistle. and found upon inquiry that
Bings did not have one, SO that the dog
could not be used to It. The evening came,
and ws wsre on hand at Bings' house. He
wanted 20 exhibit the sense OF his dog first,
but objected, and was sustained by the
judges on the ground that tx Homer hal any
mu,ic in his composition his ears might bs
sharpened by hearing his master play.
Without word Of warning | played
Climbing Up the Golden Stairs correctly,
whereupon tho dog got at my feet and
wagged his narrative with apparent en-
pbatic delight followed with the Last
Rose of Summer and purposely used .
fiat for sharp. To my utter astonishmsnt,
4 ha Il tAJ N M IN -
If times, when Homer appeared 10 30 getting
,razy. tried several other operate airs
with the same effect Then we all took .
aand in The piano, the cornet, . CON
,ertina and futina were all played upon In
urn, and give you my word OF honor, that
,very time mistake, even Of the most
trivial character, was made, it was at once
detected by Homer. The supper was pro-
pared, and during the meal the question was
discussed from every standpoint ss to how
.be dog acquired such keen ear TOR music.
After supper, OF course, we had plenty 10
rink The professor was so delighted with
MS success that hs imbibed pretty freely.
snow was my time TO tind out some thing
got Bings into very talkativo mood. and
encouraged him. At first every attempt to
Ind out how he had educated his dog Sled;
put finally his tongue began to wag and he
gave the secret away Homer Is nearly tan
years old During that time his master has
,sen practicing oa all kinds Of Instruments
While learning, he would. OF course, find
limself run up and down the scale. make
nuddle Of tho piece. The faithful dog lay
1t his feet. Every time he made dis-
:ordant note and got mad with himself he
gave Homer kick which sent him OF howl
ing with pain. This sort OF chastisement
was SO frequent in the early day OF Bings
musical lessons that the dog actually be-
)ame acquainted with the discordant notes
md no matter where or when he hears them
ae growls or yelps as he did when his master
kicked him. This is the professors own
story and bears every semblance OF the
ruth upon it. He has won seve raj waSers
like mine already"