Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1874 — Dog Stories. [ARTICLE]

Dog Stories.

As KVjpENCE that dogs have reasoning powers “ Irenreus”’ tells the following well-authenticated anecdotes in a recent ; number of the New York Obterver: Rev. Dr. *A.~T. Fullerton, of Erie, , Pa., writes: “ Mrs. J. has for some time 1 past been the owner of a fine Esquimaux dog. A few months ago Mrs. J. became the mother of a beautiful little girl, of ' whom the dog at first was.; very jealous. His better nature, however, soon as- | serted itself, and he became very fond :of the child. A few weeks ago baby ■ was crying loud and long. Doggie cafiie up stairs in evident distress of spirit, whined in answer to the child’s cry, but finally, as if a sudden thought had startled him, trotted quickly down stairs. He presently returned with a bone, well pickyd, of course, in his mouth, which, standing on his hind'legs, he gravely presented to the baby. ‘Tn evidence of the truth of this story I may offer the testimony of Mrs. J., her aunt, Mrs. G., not to mention the baby and the dog himself.” Certainly there were several steps like those of logic in this performance, and simple as is the story it is one of the best we have had. It shows how much. the dog reasoned, and how very feeble his reasoning was. D. Walter Smith, of Englewood, N. J., writes to me of one ot his dogs.—He says: "He was a splendid water dog and very powerful. Being in the store alone with him one evening, and he under the counter, an Irishman came in for something which was in the back part of the store. While I had gone for it he threw himself on the counter and opened tllk money drawer. The dog, hearing him, came quietly between the counters and , caught the man by the arm. I found the dog holding the man. and the drawer closing held his hand. The dog immediately released him, and I told the man to take a seat, which he refused to do, but started for the door. The dog was before him and guarded the door. When my employer came in I went out Tor an officer, and with him went to the office of the Justice, where I gave my testimony and the man was sent to jail, while I went back to the store. Now the intelligence of the dog showed itself. He had, unknown to me, followed us to the office and laid down under the Justice’s table, and instcad-of following me home he aeeompamed theman to the jail, kept his eyes on the man until the jailer had turned the key on him, when he turned and trotted home.” W. M. Stryker, Eldorado, Kan., writes to me this very admirable illustration : “At the village of Chelsea, Butler County, Kan., during this summer (1874) the Granges held a meeting on Saturday evening, at which Jack, a dog, was an attendant. Though he had never been initiated the Grangers permitted him to be present and listen to the discussions. Jack was not much interested in the topics discussed by the Patrons of Husbandry, nor stirred by the eloquence of the speakers, and went to sleep, as some of the Patrons themselves might have done. Jack slept so soundly that the meeting closed, the members retired, and poor Jack was locked in the schoolhouse. Now that same house is used for school-house, town hall, Sabbath-school room and various other purposes. But there was no religious service the next day, and poor Jack spent a lonely Sabbath, fasting. Monday Tnorning arfived and brought no prospect of release to poor Jack, although he had left the traces of vigorous efforts put forth for his own release, but all unavailing. At length he hit on an expedient that proved successful. Just over the door hangs the bell rope, with a loop in the end, by which it is hitched on a nail. Jack sprang and caught the bell rope, full six and a half feet from the floor, and rang the bell! The villagers were startled! What can that mean? There is no school; it is vacation. Presently dong went the bell again, and so he continued to ring until some one took the key and went to see what was the matter. So poor Jack was released and trotted off home, a disTance of about two miles.”