The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-24
FOR HIS OWN AMUSEMENT.
Why Tampa, Gentry's Pet Poodle
Pupil, Turned SoInersefs.

1t will doubtless be remembered by many
who saw the Gentry dog and pony show
while it was here last year that the ring
master nightly introduced into the ring a
handsome dog that he was teaching to do
a very difficult feat of turning a complete
back somerset. AT that time the work
had been going on some four months and
the dog, Tampa by name, was apparently
as far from becoming a canine acrobat as
before the training had commenced. AS
rule five or six months is all that is neces-
sary for Professor Gentry to perfect a first
class somersault dog, but Tampa was an
exception Although a bright looking fell
low, his ideas of gymnastics were exceed
ingly dense. So from the time they left
here until the season had finally closed at
Athens, Ca in November Professor Gentry
had spent hours daily in vainly trying to
teach Tampa to turn a back somerset.
But at the seasons end the work was still
unfinished. He couldn't catch the idea. SO
after the show went into winter quarters
at bloomington and the long, arduouS work
or training animal actors was commenced
Tampa was entirely forgotten. The new
pony drill and the fire scene took up too
much of the professors time, consequently
the fact that new somerset dog was
needed to take the place of Barney, who
was growing too old to perform the feat
with grace and agility was overlooked.
Tampa, in company with a dozen or so
more poodles, was placed in. a large stall
the rest of Gentrydom stood around guying
Tampa over. his perpetual failures suddenly
Ior the flrst time he caught the trick and
While all the rest sat around looking on,
but not saying a word in their ungenerous
modification, Tampa was discovered in the
act. All that was clearly observable was a
ring OF white and q ring of black of some
futfy stuff REVOLVING like an electric fan.
1t was Tampa turning back somersets,
x4yoi ~ftsfIa
simply eaten up with jealousy and con-
fusion. Consequently Barney was left at
nome this year and Tampa occupies the po-
sition to his intense delight. Barney is now
one of the pensioners, and there are many
too, on the Gentry farm who have in their
time done good service and have helped II.
b. Gentry to make his fortune. Barney was
one of his first attempts at animal train
ing. He was only a little mongrel cur, but
intuition and what Barney could not be
taught was really not worthy a CANNES
contemplation. He now roams at will over
the broad acres of the farm, unkempt but
happy. He formerly very aristocratic
and took great pride III his daily bath, and
when the Silken ribbons were fastened
about his neck he looked very aristocratic
in the daily parades; but all is changed, for
Barney is only one Of the pensioners, or, as
the term is used in a theatrical connection,
simply a has BEEN
Professor Gentry's dog and pony show
was good attraction here last year for
three weeks. 1t is expected that he will
duplicate his former success again this time
The tents will be pitched on the same loca-
ton at Illinois and Pratt streets and for
two weeks will remain. Performances will
be given nightly, with matinees on Wednes-
day, Thursday. Friday and Saturday at 2:30
p. m. 1t is said that the exhibit this year
is all new. at least nearly so. Only the
best of the old acts have been retained,
among them the hanging scene. Among the
new features is a fire scene which Gentry
terms the Might Alarm. and in which
animals, dogs and monkeys take the place
of firemen and enact the part of life savers
in a most laughable and exciting manner
The novel parade OF last season has been
enlarged and improved upon, and it will be
seen upon the principal streets at about IL
o'clock tomorrow morning.