The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-08-30
FRlsKY eALDER,
Story Of Pet WHO Was Much Given to
b." @f45 Practical jokes. " liam n

Story offs Pet WHO YVES Much Given to
,."@a5 Practicsl Jokes. "
A certain big dog. whose aoquairt-
ancs made two or three years ago,
says writer in the Sunny Home, had a
very lively sense of humor, and not
only liked to play joke himself, but
could appreciate one that was turned
on him. & A3s&
His mistress was Of slight figure,
weighing less than 100 pounds. In one
of his clumsy rushes Of delight in being
allowed to 90 to walk with her he
bounced against her and fairly knocked
her down. He seemed to consider it q
charming joke, aud had no doubt that
she enjoyed it as we'll as he did, for
from that day he was always trying to
repeat the performance. 81 vGI,,.
If she started for walk and wanted
his escort through the woods he was
more than ready to 90. He came
bouncing and frolicking about her as
though he were puppy, always plain
ly aiming to dash against her. She
had to dodge him, and finally she did
not dare to leave the steps till he had
Gained himself little. All the while
he would stand wagging his tail and
looking at her with a mischievous ex-
preston in his eyes, knowing just as
we'll as she did that she was afraid of
HIM.
When he saw that she would not 90
while he behaved SO he quieted down
and trotted gravely along beside her
with all the dignity his position of pro-
tector called for. But the very next
time she made ready for walk the
same performance was repeated, and
more than a year later the dog remem-
bered the joke and tried to play it
upon her again. On others Of the fam
lily of whom he was equally fond, but
who happened to be Of larger size, he
never tried this particular prank. He
would bound and frisk about to he
sure, but he did not throw himself
against them as he did against his lit
tie mistress.
lines, however, the tables were
turned upon him in a droll way. He
was very fond of bunting. and greatly
excited over every wouichuck hole he
found, always believing that some day
he should succeed IN digging one out,
though he never accomplished that
feat. Ii, his daily walks through the
woods " ith his mistress there were
certain well-known retreats of the
wily'foe that he pever PASSED without
a call. One of these was ut the further
side OF a pasture that bortered the
woods. where "raZed Il herd of COWS.
Whenever The walk led that way
Bladder Slipped under the fence crossed
the field, and made his visit 10 the
woodchuck, smiling eagely at the hole,
and throwing out peck or 50 OF earth
every time.
There were forty or fifty COWS in the
field who evidently had thair opinion
of dogs, and one afternoon when he
passed through they all stopped graz
ing and fixed their eyes upon him. He
spent his usual five minutes there and
started back. The cattle meanwhile
had plainly been considering his case,
and when he came along on his usual
trot, paying no attention to them,
they arrived at a decision. One of
them, who had not a vestige of a horn
with which to fight, took the lead,
lowered his head, and started directly
for him. Instantly the whole drove,
with one accord, lowered their heads
and started on run in the same direc'
ton.
The dog understood, though he did
not seem to look at them. He dis
dained to run, but he quickened his
trot little, and just little more, I'M
til an instant before they were upon
him he slipped under the fence where
he had gone in. Once outside he
stopped and looked back at them in
silence, then glanced at his mistress
with an expressive wag of his tail,
which said as plain as words: "Wasn't
that joker"
This passion for huntirse was such
that he would attack any animal he
met, from mouse to a grizzly bear.
and one unlucky day he found in the
edge of the woods porcupine, and
without hesitation flew at him. In :,
few moments the household, which was
not far off, was startled by fearful
cries, with barking and sounds of war
fare, and man was dispatched to see
what was the matter. He rescued the
wild beast (whom he had sense enough
to know was friend of the farmer)
and the dog came limping home, with
not only his forepaws but his mouth
full of sharp quilts. His tongue and
the roof of his mouth were completely
covered and they hung from his lips
like a fringe. OF course, he was near.
ly wild, paving bis mouth and rolling
IN tho ground IN his main