Evening star., 1901-09-05
WAS ONCE A TRAMP.
Ellis, the Star Dog, Has Risen From
Obscurity.

ODSc urItye
at guess he is just like Topsy-'Never had
any father and mother. but just growed'
At least his birth, past life and his coming
into the show is as mysterious as his pres
ent acts in the ring are wonderful
The above remarks were made by MT.
Gentry to a visitor at the Gentry show tent
this morning, and the conversation mad
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. 1 remember it was one
cold. rainy morning in October, that
| walked out on the platform of my car. and
there. huddled up against the door. lay a
white dog or what appeared to be a white
dog, for he was SO muddy and dirty that
one could hardly tell his exact color. Upon
my appearance he ran away and disap-
peared under a neighboring box car.
Thinking he was a town dog, belonging
to some resident, thought no more about
the matter. and did not see him again un-
til several days later, when again found
him asleep in the same place as before.
I'VE were then several hundred miles
from where l had seen him the first time,
and 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 l arose very early
and made a thorough search Of the train.
Away back in the cellar of the car, hidden
from view by number Of empty boxes, ]
discovered 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 by hands, and from
that moment we were friends.
~ was then that 1 noticed the bright.
intelligent look in his eyes and his affec-
t1onate disposition, SO decided to give him
home with the other dogs. First, 1 had
him carefully washed, then clipped, and
before many days he seemed perfectly con-
tented, and acted like a real show dog.
His affectionate disposition and his nat
ural love for horses made him an easy SUBJ
1ect for the ring, SO l began work on him
at once.
'The first task 1 gave him was what we
call tipping the barrels This is consid-
cred very difficult act for most dogs, but
Ellis worked SO cheerfully that it required
only two months to complete the act and
prepare him for the regular work in the
ring. AT his first performance he received
warm reception from the audience, and
his work was as perfect then as 1t Is today.
1T was not until the following year.
however, that 1 gave him what trainers
term hard training This was when 1
taught him his wonderful bareback riding
act, and no doubt the most difficult ever &C
complished by any dog.
L Will never forget the long, hard days
that Ellis and 1 worked together in the
training room, but never during the six
months hard work did he ever refuse to
obey my commands. l 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 will
ing for his work again early in the morn
ing. After / had him thoroughly broken
let him rest for two weeks and then put
him in the regular program.
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 know the true story of his life for
this is the first time have related it,"