The state herald., 1891-10-09
EDUCATED ANIMALS.
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A Russian Professor Prefers Lead
Ing Animals to Children.

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A Russian Professor Prefers Lead
Ing Animate to Children.
sig. Domino; biographer Of clowns,
bareback riders and circus people. has
written o curious lot OF "reminiscences
OF the Russian Durofi, the most fam
ous trainer OF trick animals in the
present generation.
Durofi was originally an instructor
in Latin and modern languages In
Russian high school. He practiced
then his powers over domestic ami
mals-Rrst OF all his dog-and de-
cided that the docllity Of dogs, cats
and geese was far greater than the
docility of school children. He has
never altered his Judgment In this re-
spect. He quit teaching boys, there
fore, and joined an itinerant circus to
the scandalizing OF his former col.
leagues.
Domino met him one morning in the
empty ring OF the Circus Schumann.
After talking a few minutes Durofi
said;
And now you must excuse me for
an hour, as have class to instruct
ct this time"
"But surely you haven't gone back
to teaching?" exclaimed Domino.
"No, no; you don't understand.
have just begun teaching. in fact. The
recitation in question is by my rats
and MICE"
Domino got permission to listen to
the recitation. Duroff fetched lead
chest and set 1t down in the middle OF
the ring, lifted the cover u little, and
then began chirping, trilling and whist
ling on little lead flute. A mouse
stuck its head through the crack un-
der the covers tumbled out, and
trotted gayly over to Duroif's feet.
big rat plunged out into the ring. 1t
marched gravely up to Durof and
scrambled around the bottoms OF his
trousers. More rats and mice fol-
lowed till some thirty were scratching
and squealing at Duroif's feet. The
clown stepped n few yards back
ward and his little flock followed.
He fed them cake and retreated
again. They followed and he re.
warded them as before. Thus he
led them round the ring several times.
When three orr four OF them fell behind
the procession to play or fight he at
tracted their attention by tossing
sand Mt them. Finally he invited
them TO come up, and in an instant
they were on his shoulders; in his coat
pockets and racing up and down his
head. He caught three rats by the
tail, swung them round and then lot
them shoot off INTO space. The in
stant they struck they were up again.
They ran back to Duroh. climbing to
his shoulders, and got the same treat
ment again. After an hour OF this the
flute was laid aside and the rats and
mice were packed away for the day.
Duroh was tho first man to train n
pig to grunt Accomplishments to
songs, dance round ring, and Jump
and waltz to orders. He had then also
taught a rooster to crow nt command.
and had instructed successfully n
| goose in the business OF fetching and
carrying, Domino, after discussing
these triumphs of training, asked Du-
rolf whether or not he ever tired OF his
new occupation and wished to return
to instructing boys ms he had mt once
done in the Russian High School. Du-
rolf did not catch Domino's exact
words, and answered.
Instruct childrenf Instruct AMI
mals9 These are two processes which
can hardly be compared. The difficult
les vary so-there is no comparison"
"You misunderstood me-" explain.
ed Domino. ~ acknowledge that
your work now is much more diff
cult"
"More difficult? More difIicult,"
shouted DurofI. "You must he crazy.
Why, 1t is easier. indescribably easier.
] would rather teach ten pigs than u
single child. Iwould rather teach five
geese than boy. A pig or goose
never forccts, is never impudent, is
never noisy. But a child With il you
never know where or how to begin,
and when you stop-bumpsl-all is
forgotten.