The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-30
TRAMP DOG BECOMES A STAR.
Joined n show Troupe of His own
Accord and Just Delights in Learn
ing New Tricks.


Accord and Just Delights in Learn
ing New Tricks.
From the Washington Star.
II guess he is just like Topsy-'Never
had any father and mother, but just
growed.' At least, his berth, past life
and his coming into the show are as
mysterious as his present acts in the
ring are wonderful
The above remarks were made by
Mr.. Gentry, and the conversation had
turned to a beautiful white collie dog
that was being rehearsed by the ring
master.
MY first acquaintance with Ellis,
as we have named him." continued Mr..
Gentry, was three years ago, while
our show was touring the South. I re-
member it was one cold, rainy morning
in October that | walked out on the
platform of my car, and there huddled
ur against the door, lay a white dog,
or what appeared to be a white dog,
Tor he was so muddy and dirty that
one could hardly tell his exact color.
Upon my appearance he ran away and
disappeared under a neighboring box
car.
Thinking he was a town dog, be
foASih6 W HOlAlC lCSl0CiiIp i lIOukiit ID
more about the matter and did not see
him again until several days later,
when l again found him asleep in the
same place as before.
I'VE were then several hundred miles
from where 1 had seen him the first
time, and 1 questioned my dog keeper
concerning the mysterious visitor, but
learned nothing except that he had
been seen eating with the other dogs,
but always ran away when approached
II determined to learn more of our
tramp dog, so the next morning
arose very early and made a thorough
search of the train. Away back in the
corner of the car, hidden from view
by a number of empty boxes, dis.
covered his trampship sound asleep.
Il called to him, and you never saw
such happy dog in all your life. He
Jumped into my arms, licked my hands,
and from that moment we were
friends.
1T was then that 1 noticed the
bright, intelligent look in his eyes and
his affectionate disposition, so decided
to give him a home with the other
dogs. First had him carefully washed,
then clipped and before many days he
seemed perfectly contented, and acted
like a real show dog.
His affectionate disposition and his
natural love for horses made him an
easy subject for the ring, so l began
work on him at once.
THE first task / gave him was what
we call tipping the barrels This Is
considered very difficult act for most
dogs, but Ellis worked so cheerfully
that 1t required only two months to
complete the act and prepare him for
the regular work in the ring. At his
first performance he received a warm
reception from the audience. and his
work was as perfect then as IL is to-
day.
1T was not until the following year.
however, that gave him what trainers
term hand training This was when |
taught him his wonderful bareback rid
ing act, and no doubt the most diff
cult ever accomplished by any dog.
Il Will never forget the long. hard
days that Ellis and / worked together
in the training room, but never during
the six months hard work did he ever
refuse to obey my commands. / know
that he went to bed many nights stiff
and sore from hard work and many
falls he received during the day, but
he was always ready and willing for
his work again early in the morning.
After 1 had him thoroughly broken |
let him rest for two weeks. and then
put him In the regular programme
since that time he has performed In
almost every city in the United States.
Ask any child you meet. and they will
tell you that they have either seen
Ellis or heard of his wonderful acts,
though none of them knows the true
story of his life, for this is the first
time I have related it."