River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-06-14
DON. THE SPANIEL.
He Kept a Bank aud Drew on 1t when He
Wanted Buns aud Meat.

The following account has recently
been given me by j. C.. Sprague,
owner of Don, the water spaniel, hero
of the story. writes an Ogdensburgh
correspondent. The dog was brought
to Oydens burgh from Syracuse. ~ Y,
by Mr.. Sprague some thirty years ago
While in Syracuse Don had been
taught, or had self-acquired Gt is UNI
certain which). the practice of taking
a penny from his master and exchange
ing it at a bake-shOp tor bun. After
coming 10 Ogdensburgh the dog i'm
proved on this experience. He began
10 beg pennies from acquaintance of
his master and himself. some Of whom
are still living and can substantiate
the fact. He had certain friends to
whose offices or stores he specially
resorted. HIS method of begging was
to seat himself by his friend. and
if no attention was paid to
him. TO tap the man on the
knee sharply with his paw. and TO con-
tinue this until the penny was forth
coming or his appeal was clearly una
vailing. Don was often known to visit
several friends. one after the other,
bringing tho proceeds back TO Mr.
Sprague' 5 drug store, where he stored
them behind counter In this way
the dog sometimes accumulate a
stock of pennies for future use-or. 10
interpret the actions of the dog into
terms of human activity. Don. the
spaniel kept n bank. On this bank
he drew as his appetite inclined him.
usually going TO the bake-shop Of one
Mrs. Martin, who. knowing his ways.
gave Don bun in exchange for tho
penny which Don would drop. Other
times Don patronized his butcher. and.
as his owner relates lived almost en-
tirely on the proceeds of his own beg
ging.
One day the dog was seen by his
master coming from the bakery with n
bun Coming up to his owner Don
began eating the bun. but was OBJ
served TO spit the bits out of his mouth.
aud soon go into the store. get anoth-
er penny. and go to another bake-shop
and get another bun. The first proved
10 be moldy aud from that day Mrs.
M1rlin lost the dog IS trade. He bought
no more buns from her.
But the browning feat of Don's life
was the following. which is thoroughly
attesied and is the most remark able
dog story that has ever come TO my
notice: Don came one day rushing in
TO Mr.. Sprague's store with piece ot
meat and hurried into the back part
His curious ac,ions attracted the at
tention of those present. and were
soon explained bv the appearance of
the butcher, who asked where that
dog was. The butcher then told his
story. He had been accustomed ic
Don's appearance at his shop with
penny to exchange for meat. had been
used TO cut a piece. hand il o the dog.
and have the penny dropped into his
hand in exchange. This day Don
rushed in, got his meat. and darted
out of the shop having. n usual.
dropped something into the
butchers hand. But this some
thing on tins occasion proved
TO be pebble. which the dog
passed off for cent Can any reader
produce another authenticated in
stance, as this is. of an animal be-
coming a counterfeiter? 1t is believed
that Don's stock If pennies being ex-
hausted. and he being unable to get
penny from his friends resoried 10 this
expedient to obtain the meat. Al any
tate. the fact Is beyond doubt.
Don died If poison. II ; owner
buried him. properly boxed. in n lot
near G. cen an Safe streets. and then
he was taken by night. in a wagon for
a hearse. altcndc b. due mourners
with dirgc and iarrh :. 10 Piseo1
point. in tbs upper part Of the Thea
viiiare. whore ae Wa laisl 10 his lat
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