The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-31
B. B. E. in February Century.


 N oGER came to us three years ago. " a forlorn and hopeless looking puppy. He was a full blooded mongrel of the cocker spaniel persuasion. His thick black coat was rough and dirty, and his tail was habitually between his legs. He had been taken into two homes only to be turned out again as utterly impossible" At sight of a broom or a stick he would tremble and run for 8 corner It was only after three months of kindness that he began to recover his spirit and take notice.' By this time his appearance was greatly improved.
 About this time I began his education. I taught him to speak. roll over. say his prayers, die, trust, sit up, wave his paws, and other similar tricks, until l considered him quite accomplished. had heard of dogs who had been taught to pick out cards, and I decided to make the attempt with Roger
 AS playing cards were the most avail able and of convenient size, I selected eight and laid them on the floor in front of Roger. Then I placed his foot on the ace of clubs and said, That Is the ace of
 
 the name of the card four or five times and Roger looked very much bored Then 1 gave him a piece of cooky, and he looked more cheerful. I kept this up for about 10 minutes day for two months until he had learned to find the ace in one position. Then I changed it about until at last he could find it in any position.
 I did not teach him another card for some time because I was afraid he would get the two confused. After a month or so, however selected the ace of hearts, put his foot on it, and repeated the name of the card as I had done in the first in- stance. Then I gave him piece of cooky, and said, Show me the ace of hearts, Roger To my surprise, he did so at once. I put the card in different posi- tions, and he found it every time. thought he would surely forget it by the next day. but again I was surprised. In the course of time I taught him eight different playing cards, which he seemed to distinguish perfectly.
 Then I resolved to teach him to spell his name. l drew the letters of the al phabet on square bits of cardboard and laid them in front of him, the letters of his name mixed in with others which he was not to use. l did not teach him the names of the letters, but simply said: Let me see you spell your name. Where is the first letter? The second letter? and so on until he had spelled the word. I spent five or six lessons teaching him, but he learned very readily. thought, however, that when I taught him another word and asked for the letters in order he would not know which first letter. to choose. For this reason drilled him very carefully in his name and did not teach him anything new for several months Then I taught him to spell his last name. He seemed to learn it as fast as told him the letters, and did not confuse the two words in the least.
 Next, I decided to try arithmetic. I taught him to add every combination of twos as far as 12. For instance, would say, Show me six and two,' at the same time putting his foot on eight. He seemed never to forget after I had once told him. Later taught him to add the ..threes.' Suddenly one day I noticed that when I said for the first time, Where is seven and three?" he put his foot on the correct answer before I showed it to him. I thought. it was only an accident but I said. Show me three and eight. He put his foot at once on H. I gave him problems in multiplication and di- vision. He gets them all right. The prob lems were entirely new to him and in no case did indicate the result to him beforehand. Not knowing what to think I took out the letters and said, Spell dog" This was a word which he had never spelled before, and I gave him no ciew whatever. yet he spelled 1t cor rsctly and without hesitation. I said