The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-11
P|LU, THE DOG
THOUGHT READER,
SEEN At kE|[H'S

Pilu, the wonderful thought-reading
dog. row appearing at Iieiths this week
paid visit TO the offices of the News
Democrat yesterday accompanied by his
master, Signor Ancilotti. This terrier can
Tell your age can add numbers. and oc-
casionally prophesy as TO the length OF
time that will elapse before a lady or
gentleman will get married. During this
display OF canine intelligence Signor An
cilott is in the auditorium, while the
dog has the stage 10 himself. Pilu is the
mystery OF the canine world. To all ap-
pearances an ordinary white wire-haired
terrier with black markings. and the
sight of one eye practically gone, he is,
in reality a creature of almost uncanny
wisdom. A long white board, mounted on
wooden legs, from which are suspended
large cards bearing numbers from / 10 10
and zero, constitutes the apparatus Tor
the dogs thinking tricks A News
Democrat representative whispered the
secret OF his age TO Slgnor Ancilloti:
the dogs master. Pilu does not hurry
himself. He prowled slowly, wisely
round the board, turned over No. with
his paw, took another short constitutional
QUESTION OF PENNIES.
Then another onlooker took some
change from his pocket. In his teft hand
he clenched five pennies, I'm his right,
nothing How many shillings has this
gentleman in his right hand?" asked Sig
nor Ancilloti. quick now!"
Pilu walked mournfully up to the zero
and turned II over. Someone asked Pilu
for one OF the telephone numbers of the
News Democrat" The dog took his time,
but very slowly. one after the other, he
turned over 1-S-z-7
The marvellous part of the perform
ance is that Signor Ancillotti does not ut
ter a word to the dog after he has asked
his question.
said.
"IIe thinks i'm and understands three
anguages-French. English and Italian
/ used TO have 90 work very hard with
my travelling theatre TO make money,
he added laughingly Now the dog
works for me, and / need do nothing.
II picked him up in the streets of Flor
ence some Is years ago, when l was IN
charge of a circus troupe then perform
ing i'm that city. / have been training
him for the past ~ years. but IL is only
within the last three years that | have
exhibited his skill on the stage. l am at
a loss to explain the reason how or why
Pilu should have more intelligence than
other dogs j have seen. Let me give you
two examples OF his cleverness. Years
ago, l was In the south OF France, ana
the weather was very hot, and mosqui-
toes were nuisance. They were worry
ing my baby girl. who was In her cra-
die, and In endeavorng to send her
asleep ] kept beating away the 'buzzers'
sleeping | left the room 90 look for my
wife. and on my return l saw Pilu sit
ting on chair near the cradle also try
ing TO beat away the troublesome flies
with his right paw. This seems tall
story. but IL is perfectly true. Let me,
however. remind you OF the different
ideas that must have been flashing
through the dogs brain when he was
watching me at the cradle side.
ron another occasion an acquaintance
called at my house i'm Fierence and Pilu,
who dislikes strangers. gave him an un-
friendly look as he was being shown into
my study. The maid came 10 tell me who
the caller was. and Pilu heard me say, i
am so glad or something to that erect
| Tho dog turned 10 the study. made
| friends with the visitor, and drew his at
| tention TO "a box of cigars on table. as
much as to say. Make yourself at home
the master will be with you in min
ute. 80
PLUS performance Is indeed ono OF
those mysteries which II Is impossible to
explain.