Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-26
MKAGKNHHWESME.
Wise Dogs and Mules.
A. MAsTIFF THAT COULD COUNT
AND ALSO DISTINGUISH
COLORS.

The beasts which perish are a
mighty interesting lot, if only the
observer looks at them through SYM
pathetic eyes. Such an observer
can no more doubt their possession
of what are called the higher facul-
ties than he can doubt the SUMS shin
Ing or the growth Of grass. In proof
take few stories here set down.
For the most part they came within
the writer's knowledge. In the few
cases given as second hand the source
was trustworthy.
Take first the story of Dash, a big
white, shaggy, mongrel mastiff, who
stood almost four feet at the shoul-
der, and could pull down an OK
Yet he was the gentlest Of four-footed
things; likewise the most faithful.
His master ran big farm had pas
tured zoo acres In extent, and kept
sheep, hogs, and cattle by the hun
dred, not to mention some twenty
five head Of horses and mules. He
could take Dash into the clover-field
where all were grazing, show him
the track of one particular beast
sheep, hog, or COW. it made no differ
ence-say to his dog, Fetch" and
then go about his business and be
certain Dash would separate and
bring out that particular animal if
he had to follow 1t all day, and, fur
ther, If the track were crossed by a
hundred different hoofs. But that
was less wonderful than Dash's abil-
ity to count and distinguish colors.
Ii the order was "Fetch two," or
three or five. he obeyed 1t accurately.
He would drive up the mules if told
paying no attention to the horses
grazing beside them. Conversely,
II horses Were ordered he took no
need to the long ears. He would
fetch the gray mare, or the bay,
according to direction, and knew the
riding hOrses-Sonny, Silver Tail,
and Blazes-by name as we'll as ali
the men on the place. The time he
was about the house he was the most
vigilant and discriminating of watch
dogs. Familiar friends and neigh
oors he met at the gate, barking,
frolicking, and capering about
Strangers of good appearance he es-
corted sedately to the door, keeping
little way behind and never taking
his eyes from them till they had
been spoken to by some of the fam
lily. But to the shanb nbling, seedy,
or Unlocking he was a terror on four
feet, barking. growling and leaping
violently upright against the gate,
and showing his teeth savagely if
they made to pass.
Dash died full of years and honor,
leaving, Watch, his son, to reign in
his stead. Oatwardly, Watch was
MS counterpart, but through his
mother owned brIndle bull cross
which cropped out in the fiercest
savagery. His master had by this
time removed to the country town,
Out lived In the outskirts, and had
garden, orchard, and paddock, be-
sldes his house plot. Though tramps
ana iight-fingered darkies abounded, ,
everything within his enclosure
went untouched so long as Watch
within his enclosure went untouched
30 long as Watch was out of his ken
mel though he was never freed from
uiOCA duu CnAln.
One day, as visitor came in from
the street, the dog growled and fright
ened her to the point of screa ming
HIS master raped him lightly across
the nose and bade him begone, tell
ing him 1t was disgraceful thus to
annoy lady. Watch skunk away.
still growing. Two days later he
espied the woman about whom he
had been scolded passing along the
pavement outside his owners gate.
He at once leaped the fence with q
force that broke his chain, spranp
upon her, threw her down, and would
have mangled her had not his mas
ter run to her rescue. Always af-
terward the sight Of her sent him
into crazy rage.
Watch had good memory for
klndness as we'll as for hurts. An
other visitor to the house saw him
thirsty and painting beside his ken
mel, and ran out to him with big
basin Of water. He Tapped languidly
with no sign Of satisfaction, but al.
ways thereafter the water bearer
could come Into the house In the alb
scence Of all the family and be
greeted with silent, friendly, wac
Of the tail. This was more remark.
able, because no other person could
lift the gate latch without finding
Watch dashing down the front walk
ready IN attack him Va 80.