Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1877 — DOG SPRAY. [ARTICLE]

DOG SPRAY.

“Here, Spray 1 Come here,, old fellow!” The words, spoken in anr affectionate tone, were answered by a joyful hark, and a large black-and-tan dog sprang into the room, and leaped top against his master, licked his hand and snapped playfully at his feet. His entrance now, when many little folks were having an evening party, was greeted with a lively clapping of hands; for Spray was a great pet, and had been taught by the gentleman who owned him to ao some wonderfol tricks. M any of the company begged that he be allowed to show these tricks, as some of the young guests had never seen them; and Spray’s master readily consented. 41 Here, girl” said the gentleman, in a tone of command, after Spray had been introduced all around; “show me how big people waltz.” Spray pricked up his ears intelligently, and, as his master whistled tome bars or a favorite air, rose on his legs and began to dance around and around, keeping time with the tune. While the little folks were laughing heartily at this clever imitation of a popular amusement, the gentleman suddenly cried, ‘‘Cigars!” "The word was scarcely spoken, when Spray dropped on all-fours, and, raising himself on his fore-paws, walked slowly about the room in that difficult position. “Now, sir,” said his master, when he had done, “we’ll do something harder, Show me how the school master reads.”

Ail Spray’s tittle audience waited with delight to see how he would do this. Lifting himself on his haunches, he stretched out his paws, as if he were holding a school-book, and turning his head aronnd slowly, with a comical air of severity, as if trying to get the attention of imaginary scholars, he began to open and shut his jaws, so as to imitate reading the lesson. “ Big word, Spray!” said his owner, as his pet was thus acting the schoolmaster, reminding him that a long, hard word was near at hand. Spray took the hint, and with a funny look that made all the party laugh, opened his jaws very wide indeed, to show his scholars how to pronounce the hard word properly. The lesson done, and school dismissed, the dog dropped to the floor at a sign, and allowed himself to be petted and praised by the company. “Tell me,” said his master, after a time, “ whether you would rather be a wicked traitor or die for your country?” Spray, on hearing the question, ran around the room, and at last, finding a soft spot on the carpet, rolled over on his back, curled up his legs, and closed his eyes, to show the company that, if he had bis choice, he would die a hero. As he lay this way, the little folks tried to make him move by coaxing and threats; but he did not stir until his master cried “ Police!” And then he sprang up and ran to him, as if for protection from the dreaded policeman. When told that the policeman had gone away, however, he came out from his hiding-place, and turned a somersault on the nodr, as much as to say:

“I’m not a bit afraid! I’ll play as much as I like, spite of all the policemen in the world.” “Go and open that door, sir!” said his master, pointing to the parlor door, that stood slightly ajar. Spray, hearing the command, spraog away from the girls who were petting him, and creeping through the opening into the ball, raised himself on his bind legs, and pushed the dbx wide open agaiDSt the wall. “Now, shut it again, sir!” said his master; and Spray obeyed, forcing his way behind the door, raising himself on his hind legs as before, and slamming it to with a load bang. “That's a good dog,” said his master, patting him on the head. “ Now go over there and bring me your tail.” With that, Spray went into the comer and began to run around in a circle. After doing tbis a good many times, he dropped down on his haunches and made several laughable attempts to catch hold of his wagging tale. At last, seizing it firmly in his teeth, he stood up, and went on turning around and around, just as puss does when she chases after her tail. After turning in this way for quite a while, Spray at last reached the sofa, ou which his master and several of his young companions were seated, laughing at him. and, at the former’s command, let go his hold, and allowed his tail to wag as before. Presently Spray broke away from the hugs &pd petting bestowed upon him by his little friends, and ran up tohis master, who ordered him to show how he wrestled. Banning to the middle of the room, Bpray planted his paws firmly on the carpet, and Kfted one after the other several times, to show how boys change their feet about when wrestling. At length, after showing more such feints, he roiled over and over to show how ooys tumble about when wrestling in a hay-loft or on the long grass. Again escaping from the caresses of the delight* d spectators, after this amusing exhibition, he lay down at his master’s feel. The gentleman then seized Spray’s wagging tan, and making believe to bite it, said: “Shall I bite it? Say, ‘Oh, no!”’ Spray now became rather refractory, and would not at first do as he waatold; but when the older was repeated in a tone of authority, he turned his eyes up to his master’s face, and uttered a 'low whine,

word* '* Ob, nol" * ** Having thus made him plead to be let off, aa well u a dog could, bia master told him to Jump up and make a figure eight; first, however, patting him affectionately, as a reward for Els previous obedience. As his master stood up. Spray walked around, and in and out of l»oth bia feet from right to left; thus following the outline of a figure eight, aa skatera do when cutting it on the ice. Thus ended hls tricks for the evening, and, after betrijj praised and called a “good dog” by bis master, be Join' d in the sports of his young friends, until bia owner Called him to go home.—/. Rted Sever, in St. Nicholas