Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-06-29
INTELLECTUAL SPOT.
Some Amu'ing stories of a Curious and
Decidedly Original Dog.

Carriage-dogs are seldom cookbook
ing; L, 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 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 at Cambridge,
and as he had a great deal of spare
time on his hands CHS master being
much engrossed by his literary work),
he took to paying visits to a neighbour
ing police-station, and taking his ex-
ercise 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 to take care
OF himself. On 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, ard 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 kock 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" began the man, civilly,
1--WE come to ask if you can kindly
spare the dog for bit?" 1.-The dog!"
replied the master, in surprise; my
dog do you meanP What do you want
him for?" We've got new man on
the beat SIR was the answer, as if
that could explain every thing.
Much perplcXed, the dogs master
proceeded to make inquiries, and
elected the Information that Spot,
from accompanying the 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 babe the new man follow
him; and sure enough Spot would show
him his beat, take him accurately
round it, and never make 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. 1T saves us telling off man
to instruct a newcomer, you see, sir, VI
concluded the constable. "And if so
be as you can spare the dog, you'll be
doing us a 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 cars open,
and takes it in like 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 Dub.
lin, petitioned to take Spot with him,
as he was such u companion. This was
agreed to, and Spot was taken from the
Manor House, whore his latter years
had been passed, and transplanted tC
Dublin. Letters brought the news
that he did not seem to settle down al
all comfortably; and one morning, as
the family were assembled at break
fast. what was their surprise to see
Spot walk calmly in, with an air of the
utmost assurance, and lie quietly down
with sigh of contentment, upon 6
favorite black mat of his in front Of
one Of the French windows. He wa!
tired and rather habbylooking, bu
quite composed and self-contained
showing no ELUSIVE excitement, but {
, sort of calm satisfaction, which wa
, quite as eloquent in its way. At frs
it was supposed that the dogs mas
ter must be on the road, as it wa
considered impossible that thu
dog could have crossed tn,
water alone; but no maste
came, only a letter announcing the los
of Spot. Partly out of curiosity,
believe (though it seemed rather ;
: shame, thought), poor Spot was sen
f back to Dublin. But what a dog can d,
t once, he can do again, and very sool
he was back in his old home, iron
, which no further attempt was made t,
move him. 1t was then | made his ac
quaintance; and though | never wit
messed any facts of extraordinar,
! sagacity, he always had thu air ant
4 manner of a very wide-awake and in
7 telligent dog. He had odd likes an,
Gislikes among the horses, with whom
y he spent most Of his time. Their
were some among them with whom h
positively declined to run, whoeve
rode or drove them, while it was
perfect delight to go with others. Al
together he was curious dog, and de