Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-12-19
AN INTELLECTUAL DOG.
q Story Of Canine Cieverness-Finding the
WAY Home.

- Etoiy W NuhiHt tluAnk ~
Way Home.
Carriage dogs are seldom good look
ing; l, for my part, have a dislike to
their spotty appearance but | must
confess to a weakness for Spot, who is
really quite one of the cleverest dogs
have ever known, and though some
of the stories told Of him sound alto
gether improbable, the truth of them
can be vouched for without hesitation.
Part OF his life he lived nj Cambridge,
and a he had a great deal of spare
time on his hands This master being
much engrossed by his literary work.,
he took to paying visits TO "A neighbor'
ing police station and taking his exer-
else with members Of the staff. His
master knew but little of his move.
ments, as Spot was a dog of independ-
ent habits and well able 10 take care of
himself. On some occasions he abb
scented himself for a few days together,
but always turned up safe and sound
at the end Of that time, no anxiety
being meantime felt about him, al
though nobody knew what he did with
himself.
Enlightenment on this point was
brought home 10 his master in the fol,
lowing fashion: He had been giving
himself a little more relaxation of late,
and Spot had been, in consequence,
more with him, and less abroad on his
own devices. One evening, as master
and dog were sitting over the fire
together, there came a knock at the
door, followed by the entrance of a
police constable, whose appearance
Spot hailed by Hopping his tail upon
the floor. IF you please, sir, began
the man, civilly, I've come TO ask if
you can kindly spare the dog for bitf'
THE dogl' replied the master, in sur,
prise; my dog, do you meaul What
do you want him fori' We've got a
new man on the beat, sir was the
answer, as if that could explain every
thing.
Much perplexed. the dogs master
proceeded TO make inquiries, and
elected the information that Spot, from
accompanying the different men on
their rounds, had learr ed every beat
with the greatest precision, and was
quite a qualified adept at instructing
the new man. The constable simply
started thu. dog on any given round
and babe the new ran follow him
and sure enough Spot would show him
his beat, take him accurately round it,
and never make a mistake. Night or
day he would be al the service of any
new man, and would constitute him.
self his protector until he had famil.
iarized himself with his new duties.
TT v is telling off a man TO in
struct a new conner, you see, sir" con-
cluded the constable. "And if so be
as you can spare the dog you'll be
doing us a kindness. Taught him, sir1
Bless you, he taught his own self.
Nobody ever taught him nothing.
Dogs like that don't want no teaching.
He just keeps his eyes and ears open,
and takes il in like a human creature
that he do" 1t really seemed some.
times as if the ~policeman's words were
true.
One of the sons Of the house where
he lived, who was going to live in
Dublin, petitioned To take Spot with
him, as he was such a companion
This was agreed TO, andSpot was taken
from the Manor house, where his lat
ter years had been passed, and trans
planted To Dublin. Letters brought
the news that he did not seem TO settl,
down ut all comfortably; and one
morning. as the family were assembled
at breakfast, what was their sur
prise to see Spot walk calmly in. will
an air Of the utmost assurance, and Ii,
quietly down, with a sigh of content
ment, upon "A favorite black mat of hi,
in front Of one of the French windows.
He was tired and rather shabby look,
ing, but quite composed and self con.
tanned, showing no elusive excite.
ment, but a sort Of calm satisfaction,
which was quite rs eloquent in its way.
At first il was supposed thatt the dogs
master must be on the road. rs il was
considered impossible that the dog
could have crossed the water alone; but
no master came, only a letter an
%nouncing the loss of Spot. Partly out
OF curiosity, | believe though il
seemed rather n shame, / thought,
poor Spot was sent back 10 Dublin.
But what a dog can do once, he can dc
again, and very soon he was back in
his old home, from which no further
attempt was made to move him. II
was then | made his acquaintance and
thouga | never witnessed any facts OF
extraordinary sagacity, he always haC
the air and manner Of a very wide
awake and intelligent dog. He hac
odd likes and dislikes among th,
horses, with whom he spent most Of
his time. There were some among
them with whom he positively de
clined TO run, whoever rode or drove
them, while il was a perfect delight u
go with others. Altogether he was O
curious dog, and decidedly AN original.
-Cassell's Magazine.