St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-21
THE STORY OF TOD.
A Terrier Which Exhibited Rt
markabIe Sense.

A Terrier Which Exhibited Re-
markable Sense.
| Chicago Mail.
Talking of dogs" said an old teleg-
rapher to the reporter, 'reminds me of
a terrier that l once owned.
Il got him when he wasn't bigger
than rat and l kept him till he died of
old age, loving him, guess, about as
well as man can love dumb brute.
| That dog was bright. A blooded fellow,
he was as proud as Lucifer, and he had a
holy contempt for the canaille, and for
tramps and niggerS. When he was a
mere pup he seemed to know more than
| most OF his elders, and by the time he
| reached his dOghood there wasn't any
thing that dog might be expected to
know that he didn't thoroughly under
| stand.
lie was always mighty fond of me.
| When he was little l used to carry him
Win me to the office in my coat pocket,
| ana Kept him under a glass sounder
| case which l kept on my instrument
table. A dozen trainmen at one time
and another tried to steal him, but | al
! ways was fortunate enough to foil their
nefariouS designs.
"Well, as l said, he was bright dog.
he remembered me after an absence
OF more than year, rushing to me with
wild JOY, expressed by frantic barkings
and marvellous cOntOrtions, as l made
my way from the train across lots to
my home. didn't recognize him and
fought him away with my valise, but he
wasn't to be put off that way, coming at
me again and again, III spite OF my war
like demonstrations.
Il never taught him any tricks, eX-
cept to sit up and speak for what he
wanted. He never liked to sit up, ap-
parently because he felt that perpen-
dicular position did not cOmpOrt with
his dignity, for he always looked
ashamed when had him assume that
posture.
But while he knew few tricks, am
satisfied that he understood a good deal
OF the English language. For instance,
II he came to the east door to get in and
we told him to go to the west door, he
never made the mistake of trying the
south door, or vice versa. Again, if he
got in the way about the kitchen, as he
often did, my mother would tell him to
go down to the office and look for me,
and he would trOt right off. If she told
him to go to my father he never made
the mistake of coming to me. They al
ways knew at the house if [ had made
him mad, as he had fashion at such
times of trOtting home Sidewise, with
his tail carried with downward curve.
AS soon as he got i'll he would drop
down all at once, as you have seen chill
dren drop when offended.
'Often OF an evening we would amuSe
ourselves at Tod's expense. Tod was
his name. In perfectly even, express
siOnleSs tone, meant to test his know
ledge OF English, we would say mean
things about him. We would call hima
thief Or coward, or lazy, or something
that way rejecting severely on his
character. He would lie close, ewing
US sharply, gradually taking on panied
look and assuming an air of humilta-
ton. In the same tone another member
of the family would excuse him, saying
he wasn't so worthless or bad
after all, gradually warming into
praise. This would act on him like
charm. He would slowly rise, pleased
look would shine in his eyes, his tail
would be set wagging, and finally if the
compliments were pointed enough, he
would go over to the speaker and insist
on showing his appreciation as dogs
know how.
He was greatrat In his younger
days he was remarkably Industrious and
energetic. He would work whole day
| to catch a rodent, and he took a rare
| pride in the business. But as he got
older, while he lost none of his ZeSt for
rafting, he became more saving of his
labor. l got a young ratter, one of
Tod'S numerous progeny, and trained
him in the way of his sire. Dick, the
young dog, was hustler. He was as
nervous and eXcitable as woman, and
he would scratch hole through the
floor if he got notion into his head that
a rat was underneath. Tod aVailed
himself of Dicks energy. He would
hunt around until he got on the scent of
rat and would then set up a mighty
barking, thus attracting Dick, who
to fire. Tod would scratch little and
pretend he didn't want Dick around,
but presently he would yield to the lit
tie fellows importantly and step to one
side, whereupOn Dick would begin to
throw dirt like steam-shoyel. From
time to time lie would be forced away
from the hole, while Tod would care
fully take scent of the game. AS the
hole grew deeper and the quarry nearer
TOd's inspections became more fire.
quent. until, finally, at the critical NOM
ent, when Mr.. Rat was all but uncovered,
Dick would be crowded out, and Tod,
with few vigorous scratches would I'M
earth his prey and cheat poor Dick out
of shaking the life out of it.
''POor Dick, he was kicked to death by
mule in his youth, but Tod lived to be
twelve years old and died at last of asth-
ma, lamented by all who knew him.
And the old telegrapher heaved sigh
to the memory of his departed terrier.