San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-12-27
The story of an Intellg mt dog.

ne cJOEy VI al AhbOAAl6 DS6s
: Brooklyn Il igle.
Punch was a black-and-tan who
in his early years had been made a
plaything and companion Of three
young women, whose father re-
marked: "You won't let him be a
dog, and he doesn't know how to
be anything else" or course, he
was spoiled, but he developed a re-
markable intelligence, and though
it was too often devoted to getting
his own way, he had loyal affec-
ton for all the family.
He was very fond of riding in
the carriage, and again and again
when there has been talk OF drive
he mas risen quietly and gone off to
the front door so as to make sure
that he should not be left out Of the
party. His knowledge Of a con-
siderable number OF words has
been tested again and again, until
no doubt on the subject could. re-
main. The common opinion
among those who knew him is
that he also understood many
complete sentences; that is, did
not merely know the names OF
certain objects, but understood
verbs and could construe sentences
that dealt with many events OF
life. For years he was talked to
as child is, things were explained
to him, and in this respect he was
treated exactly like human being
One person in the house was quite
deaf. To attract attention he always
barked louder than for any
one else, raising his voice. ust
about as much as the fam.
lily did in addressing her. In
his old age, when so fat that going
upstairs was difficult, he used to
demand that some one should car
ry him, giving short bark at the
foot of the stairs. One day when
he supposed no one but the deaf
woman to be in the house, he gave
his usual bark at the front stairs
She was al the back in the second
y =
heard her moving there, and in
stead OF barking again, (which he
knew must be useless, went along
the lower floor to the back stairs.
and there summoned her with on,
loud bark, which she heard per.
fectly, and afterward explained as
the exact equivalent Of, you care
less deaf thing, come and attend t.
me-"
About this time he had habit
OF kicking off the blanket which
was put over him at night in his
basket. Whenever this happened
he would wake up some OF tn,
family to cover him again. One
night, however, all were away eX-
cept the deaf woman just men.
toned. His basket was placed in
her room, and, as usual, he kicked
of the blanket. Whether h,
barked at all is not known-she
did not hear him-but she was
wakened by feeling him under the
bed, pressing up against the mat
tress to arouse her and get his bed
made.
His end was in keeping with the
rest OF his life. He had grown al.
most helpless, and suffered con.
stantly. 1t was evident that
death would be a relief, and at
last it was decided that he must b.
chloroformed. He was told that
he would have something to cure
his trouble and listened as if he
understood, as some Of his friends
fully believe he did. Then as he
lay in his basket a blanket was put
over him, in the folds Of which
was a sponge soaked with chlorO.
form. He objected to the smell,
but being assured that the treat.
ment would end his pain became
quiet, much sooner it is said, than
1t was possible for the chloroform
to produce any appreciable effect,
and so passed away.
He had distinct dislike for the
family physician, and was never
at any pains to conceal it. After
being run over and badly hurt,
however, he was told that the doc
tor would come and cure him, and
when the doctor, sacrificing pro-
fessional scruples to friendship,
made his visit, Punch received him
in the most friendly way, made no
objection to rather painful ex-
animation, and always afterward
treated his physician with distinct
courtesy and friendliness.
Curious Accidents to Birds.