Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-30
INTELLIGENCE or THE Dog.
How One Owned by Eirginian
Represented His Master az Church.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
| have observed that you have lately
| been giving large space TO the dog ana
beg to express my appreciation of your
| very commendable efforts TO educate and
] enlighten US as to the admirable qualities
| of that noble animal
| All the world loves a dog. as well as "a
| lover. The exceptions are so insignificant
ms not 10 be worthy of attention. There
! are people. you know, who see spots on
! the sun. and have an antipathy even I'D
! cats. We are not writing TOR them
| 1 desire 70 aid In small measure I'D
| the work you have undertaken, ana, Wiih
! your leave. viii add another -pethnth "
| your collection.
! had no personal Acquaintance Win
| the dog (alasi he has passed beyond tLe
confines Of this mortal iifcl which 1 Wish
| 10 Introduce TO your attention, ana.
| therefore. can claim no partnership do
| his wonderful accomplishment ANA per
fOrmauCes and can only nufrdte tlt
| facts as told by his owner, VINO. of an
men. Of course. ought 20 know nerl
whereof he speaks though am ""ti.
| that human testimony as 90 dose aNI
| fishes is very unreliable, ana / VIII nor
| vouch for the entire crediDlhty Oh lheae
facts or OF this witness.
This dog and his owner. from long as
| ISOLATION, had become very much allAe
| not only I'm their ways and manners, bul
| also in their personal appearance ana
| facial expression. Instances or great
resemblancos between men ana animals
are given I'm the books. This dob h"l
| become very useful 10 his owner lie was
| known by everybody iu the nclsnDoihood,
| and the master would send him on ei-
rands 10 the pOst-oilice, ana 10 the 7hols
| in the village for such supplies as Lt
| needed and he would always brlns theu4
| home promptly and carefully; but us
| most important and agreeable service
was I'm attending church when MS Owner
| was dislnclincd or unable 20 perform thal
! duty. and az the same tmo wished ~
| maintain his character as puhClu@l
church-gOer.
He tells with great satisfaction OF one
Sunday, a warm day I'm summer WhoH
he sent the dog IN his stead. IL was oh'
/ OF those old churches-such as We hdu lii
| Virginia-built 200 years ago ike u'.
! Powhatan church, near AleNdndIla' d"
| which the illustriOus Father OF his 'ouh-
| trv had a pew Qn which ! have stood 1
did presume to siD about rect WIN
with benches on all sides with ms %
backs. so that some members or u'
| family would never see the preacher
me dos, took his place promptly az tht
! appointed hour and gave UNDIVIDED al
| tention TO the discourse, gazing lhtehtli
| al the minister the whole time, Nlthou'
| winking-Which, In rather lnhtteuuN'
| and sleepy congregation, was teillhlh
! able and could not fail 70 arrest the nt-
| tention OF the minister. So much So
! indeed that on the next day he calleI ~
/ see the owner and said that ne WOW
/ be glad TO have some conversation WIZ
/ him about the sermon that he had noe
! tlced his unusual attention, ana would
! like TO know what special thought or ai'
! g1lment had attracted and ongrossed hii+
| The dog was standing by during this con-
! vcrsatiOn, and both ne ana ms hl'th e
| we're conv1Ilsed with suppressed laughter
| At last the dog could stand IL no longer
| hut made "a rush for the door. and clear
! al tho wall at "a bound, and for hali tl
| hour the woods resounded WIN ms 20,
/ terous nirth. while his master was Dr.
! agony In the desperate effort 10 conuo
| himself .r
: must conclude this abruptly. ] VII
not occupy your time or space with is
I other adventures Of this remarkable doh
/ bovcever edifylng they might be 70 YOU
( readers. X. NJ. IAiNiiN'4'