New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-18
4 REMARKABLE DOG STORY.
DON's pOwERs OF REASONING.

DON'S POWERS OF REASONING.
To me EditOr Of The Trf6une
SIR, Tho following narrative OF dog sagacty DC
serves place. think among the most remarkable
tales OF animal Intelligence particularly because the
facts arc vouchcd for by the owner Of the dog and
were matter OF notoriey in Ogdensburg Mt the time
and the animal acquired great reputation IN
his lifetime as to be accorded the unusual honor OF
public funeral at the hands OF friends who had been
witnesses OF his remarkable actions
Tho following account has recently been given
mo By Mr.. j. c. sprague, owner OF Don, the water
spaniel, hero OF tho story. The dog was brought to
Ogdcnsburg from Syracuse. N. Y, by Mr. sprague
some thirty years ago. While In Syracuse Don had
been taught. had self acquired Ut is uncertain
which, the practice OF taking penny from his master
and exchanging II at a bake-sh0p FOR bun After
coming to Ogdensburg tho dog improved on this ex
perlence. He then began 10 beg pennies from ac-
quantances OF his master and himself some OF whom
st living and can substantiate the fact. He had
certain friends to whose Offices stores he specially
resorted His method OF begging was to seat him
self by his friend and II no attention paid to him.
to tip tho on the knee sharply with his paw
and to continue this until tho penny forthcoming
or his appeal wero clearly unavaling His owner
eays nDn was often know to visit several hlendf. ono
srer tho other, bringing tho proceeds back TO Mr.
Spragues drug st"re. where he stored them behind
counter. In this way the dog sometimes accumulated
stock NJ pennies for future Tor, TO interpret the
actions OF tho dog into terms Of human activity. Don,
tho spaniel, kept a bank. On this bank hc drew
his appetite inclined him, usually going 10 the bake
shop Of one Mrs. Martin, who knowing his ways
gavo Don bun In exchange for tho penny which Don
would drop Other times Don patronIzed his butcher
and, his owner relates, lived almost entirely on
tho proceeds Of bis own begging
One day tho dog was seen by his master coming
from tho bakery with bun Coming up to his owner,
-
the bits ont OF his mouth and 20 into the store,
got another penny and go bake shop and get
another bun. Tho first proved 10 be mouldy, and
from that day Mrs Martin lost the dogs trade He
bought more buns from her
nut the GROWING feat OF Dons fe was the following
which Is thoroughly sttcstcd and is tho most remark
able dog story that has ever como to my notice:
Don camo one day rushing into Mr. spragues store
with piece OF meat. and hurried into the back part.
present and was soon explained by tho appearance
Of tho butcher. who asked whore that dog was The
butcher then told hts story. He had been accustomed
to Don's appearance az hls shop with penny TO ex-
II 10 tho dog and have the penny dropped into hts
hand In exchange. This day Don rushed IN, got HIS
meat. and dartcd ont Of tho shop having as usual
dropped something into tho butchers hand. But
This something on This occasion proved to be pebble
which tho dog passed or for a cent
Can any other rcade- - TIE TRIBUNE produce an
other authenticated Instance, as this Is OF an animals
It believed that Don'- stock Of pennies being -x-
hsustcd and he being unable TO get penny from his
friends. m~nf.d ' '' the meat.
At any rate tho fact Is beyond doubt.
Don 1rd of poison IL Owner buried him prop
orly boxed IN lot near Green and state -s and then
be WAS taken hy night in va.nn flf i.o..
..s'.' ffin '-ff dirre and t0rchNc bon
Pigeon Point. IN ~ upper part ~ tho then village.
wh"rr hc was laid TO his last rest by the st. Lawrence
Evcr
ST. Lawrence County has had IN IT'S time notable
mon ami val able products but II may he dOpbfed n
any. IN their way. have been mora remarkable than
Tbs dumb brute. whom orr philosophy prctcnds 10 bc
ucrc automafon devoid ~ reason soul or a hore-
offer Hut among tho-" y no knew him. his memory
ahd"s 20 this day, and tho facts Of his m, arc well
attesfeh DAVID Brown
OSdeusburs, March 2. 1883.