Don was a retriever that could never be taught to retrieve. A great romp
of a fellow, jet black, relieved by a single white star on his throat.
Don is excessively fond of sweets and fruit, notably ripe gooseberries,
of which his master grows some fine varieties. During the season a great
quantity of ripe, yellow fruit disappeared from the bushes, but no one
could discover the thief; at the same time, however, it was noticed that
Don's nose was always covered with scratches. His master put two and two
together, and resolved to watch the dog. He did so, and saw Don go
toward a door in the garden wall, stand on his hind-legs, and press down
the latch with his fore-paw.
The door yielded, and in went Don to feast on the yellow gooseberries.
He scratched his nose in the operation, but evidently thought the fruit
worth suffering for.
The same dog occasionally paid visits with his master, and one lady,
knowing his liking for sweets, always gave Don a piece of cake when she
offered it, with wine, to her guest.
It happened, however, on a single occasion that the lady's stock of cake
was almost exhausted. The piece she had was small and somewhat stale,
too shabby to offer to a gentleman; so the wine was brought out alone.
Don's master took no notice of this, but Don, after looking expectant
for some time, marched to the lady, placed his great paws on her knee,
and cast imploring glances toward the side-board. When this failed, he
went to the door and tried to open it.
He was only scolded for scratching it, and in despair of making himself
understood, he took advantage of the open house door, and set off home
as fast as he could go.
After he was gone, the lady expressed her surprise at Don's unusual
conduct. The master smiled, and said the dog had not forgotten that she
usually gave him cake, and had been trying to make her understand that
when wine was brought out for the master, _his_ share of the dainties
ought also to be forth-coming.
[Illustration: "Oh, do, dear Grandma, get in behind, and let us drive
you home."]
[Illustration: A TOO-CONFIDING GRANDMA.]