Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-02-15
INTELLECTUAL Spot
Some Ann ing Stories OF n Curious and
Decidedly Original Dog.


Some Ann ing Stories OF a Curious and
Decidedly Original Dog.
Carriage-dogH are seldom cookbook
ing; |, for my part. have 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 somo
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 at Cambridge,
and as he had great deal OF spare
time on his hands (his master being
much engrossed by his literary work).
he took to paying visits TO neighbor-
ing pollcc-station, and taking his ex-
ercise with members OF the staff. His
master knew but little OF his move
ments, us Spot was dog OF independ-
cnt habits, and we'll able to take caro-
of himself Ga some occasions he alb
sented himself for few days to-
gether, but always turned up safe
and sound at the end OF that
time; no anxiety being meantime
felt about him, although nobody knew
what he did with himself Enlighten-
ment on this point was brought home
TO his master in the following fashion:
He had been giving himself little
more relaxation OF late, and Spot had
been, in consequence, more with him,
and less abroad on his own devices.
One evening, rs master and dog were
sitting over the fire together, there
came n koc.i at the door, followed by
the entrance Of police constable.
whose appearance Spot hailed by flop
ping his tail upon the floor. ''If you
please, sir,n began the man, civilly,
1--WE come to ask II you can kindly
spare the dog for .blt?" 1.-The dog!"
replied the MASTER in surprise; my
dog, do you meanP What do you want
him forPn "We've got new man on
the beat, sir" was tie answer, as IL
that could explain every thing.
Much perplexcd, the dogs master
proceeded TO make inquiries, and
ELECTED the information that Spot,
from accompanying tho different men
on their rounds, had learned every
beat with the greatest precision. and
was quite qualified adept at instruct
ing the new man. The constable
simply started the dog on any given
round and bade the new man follow
him; and sure enough Spot would show
him his beat, take him accurately
round 1t, and never make q mistake.
Night or day he would be at the service
OF any new man, and would constitute
himself his protector until he had
familiarized himself with his new
duties. ut saves us telling Off man
to instruct a newcomer, you see, SIR"
concluded the constable "And II SO
be rs you can spare the dog. you'll bo
doing us n kindness. Taught him.
sir? 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 it in like human creature
that he dor 1t really seemed some
times as il the policcman's words were
true.
One of the sons OF the house where
he lived, who was going to live in Dub
lin, petitioned to take Spot with him.
as he was such companion. This was
agreed to, and Spot was taken from the
Manor House, where his latter years
had been passed, and transplanted 10
Dublin. Letters brought the news
that he did not seem to settle down at
all comfortably; and one morning, as
the family were assembled at break
fast, what was their surprise to SEQ
Spot walk calmly in, with an air OF the
utmost assurance, and lie quietly down,
with sigh of contentment, upon a
favorite black mat OF his in front Of
one OF the French windows. He was
tired and rather shabby looking, but
quite composed and self-contained,
showing no ELUSIVE excitement, but q
sort of calm satisfaction, which was
quite as eloquent in its way. At first
II was supposed that the dogs mas
ter must bo on the road, rs it was
considered impossible that the
dog could have crossed the
water alone; but no master
came, only letter announcing the loss
of Spot. Partly out OF curiosity, l
believe (though it seemed rather a
shame, thought), poor Spot was sent
back to Dublin. But what dog can do
once, he can do 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 ac-
quaintance; and though | never wit
messed any facts OF extraordinary
sagacity, he always had thu air and
manner of very wide-awake and in
telligent dog. He had odd likes and
dislilSes among the horses, with whom
he spent most Of his time. There
were some among them with whom he
positively declined TO run, whoever
rode or drove them, while 1t was a
perfect delight to so with others. AL
together he was a curious dog, and de-
cidedly an original. - CdsseWs Maga-
siae.