The sun., 1916-09-18
ERIC TO HELP.
He Is Being Educated TO Find the Lost
Blonde Slster.ln.laM.

D1OuUO SISVcG-Iu'h9W
To rHE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: All
the time that I can possibly spare from
my search for my lost blonde sister-in-
law ] am now giving to Eric. my new
B~londehound. to a study OF his character
and a furtherance Of his education. A
close observation OF his psychological
side makes me begin TO wonder II. after
all. the theory Of the transmisration Of
souls Ii moi true. I mean that sort Of
netdmpsychosis which embraces the
passing Of the soul Of a man into an
animal.
II the theory Is true. then Eric is pos
scssed Of or by a disappointed soul
which In its human incarnation longed to
be an operatic tenor but which by force
OF circumstance was a stove salesman.
For Eric tries to sing. Cnobserving and
unsympathetic persons may say of this
phenomenon that the dog In merely howl
ing. Nothing could be further from the
truth. Eric always attempts he same
song and always fails. The tone Of his
voice shows that he realizes this. His
song. at best. Is very hard to describe.
but II you will play over or hum a few
bars OF that part OF ChopIn's funeral
march where the second theme In the
minor key IL introduced you will get a
faint idea Of what It Is like. You must
remember, too. thai Eric's speaking and
singing voice IL chemically as hoarse
as that Of a Gansevoort Market huckster
late on a Saturday night.
Like all those who would voc the
higher arts. inspiration comes to Eric
unexpectedly and at unusual times. I
have known him when shut out In the
yard at night with the moon shining to
Try TO sing. but then I have known the
moon to affect other persons the same
, way. notably Bill. Even though he ia
cold and hungry tho same thing will
happen to the dog. one day this sum
mer. while pausing 10 scratch behind his
car with his hind leg. he inadvertently
| seated himself on q bee In the grass.
notwithstanding the pain Of the sting.
the inspiration seized him just then and
lie lifted up his voice in sons. Rarely
have | heard him sing So Loudly. Like
most aspiring souls. he has all tho SYM
pathy In the world for those whose en-.
dcavors appeal to him. When others
would make melody. particularly on the
jewsharp or oboe, Eric will scat himself
as close as possible to their feet and. all
uninvited, Join In. So great Is Mis- en-
thusiasin that even a CURLY expressed
hint to shut up" or even a kick does
not dampcn his ardor. lie may leave OF
for the moment. but he will come back
and resume unless he Is chained UP or
| shu, out.
OF course his education Is tho de-
v%clopnent Of the practical side Of
Erics character. To answer TO his
name. T. lie down then told. to re-
'ric,e when asked. to heel when ordered
these arc the A X Is of a well bred
dogs education. OF course there are
y T. Fs too. but never mind. Eric has
always answered to his name. lie will
lie down when told il he has a a very
hearty meal or is tired out. ] had some
trouble in teaching him to retrieve. Once
he learned II he ovcrdid II. lie would
go of retrieving on his own hook
jus, 10 show how well he had learned
his lesson. One day when on a walk
we were passing a clump of bushes sur
rounding a pool and he retrieved a black
silk stocking. although there was no
wash hanging out for miles around.
But ! had most trouble In teaching
him to heel. by that I mean TO follow
me with his nose at my heel as I walk
about. Either Eric could not or would
not learn this trick. So I hit upon a
scheme. The dog is very fond OF bologna
and 50 before starting out with him | rub
the heel OF my right boot with a piece
Of Il and Eric. obliv.ous o. all else. will
pcrsistently heel so long a. the odor
OF the bologna lasts.
Please don't laugh at Eric. He is my
dog and | love dogs. As time goes OH
and We get to know each other better
I am sure We shall become fast friends
and that he vii, he an aid and solacc 10
me in my search FOR my lost blonde
sister-in-law. T.. T..
NEW YoRk. September rs.