MONK AND HIS MASTER, AND THEIR LITTLE CAME.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 691

MONK AND HIS MASTER, AND THEIR LITTLE CAME.

A GENTLEMAN who has a handsome home in one of the fashionable suburbs has a line St. Bernard dog. Helms taught the intelligent animal a trick of which he is extremely proud. The dog's name is Monk. The triek is an elaborate one, and includes the telling by the owner of a dramatic tale of hardship. Upon a signal, Monk, who usually reposes in front of the broad open fireplace, lies down before his master, with his big head stretched out on the floor between his outspread paws, and looks up expectantly. Then the owner begins, in a low voice, the prologue. It is a thrilling story of a poor wanderer struggling up the passes of the Alps, lost in the blinding snow. Monk listens intently to every word. His voice growing stronger, the gentleman describes the wayfarer as oveiconie with fatigue, and tells how, thoroughly worn out, he lies down to rest. At this point the gentleman stretches himself out on the floor, resting his head on his arm, face downwaid. Monk remains perfectly rigid. The gentleman goes on reciting in a tone growing gradually softer. He turns tip his coat collar, and then, lifting one hand above his hear!, lets fall a shower of line white paper. As the pieces repiesenting a gust of snow flurry dow n. Monk bounds across the floor, harking at the top of his lungs, and reaching the prostrate form of his master, lies down, stretching his paws across his back and poking his big black nose under his collar. He whines and snuffs and pounds the floor with his big white tail. Then, finding that all such efforts to resuscitate the wanderer are unavailing, Monk rises, and lifting his head, sends forth a howl of woe that would unquestionably bring the whole Alpine hospice to the rescue. Then cames the climax. Monk seizes the helpless man by the coat collar, ami is nbout to drag him away, when life suddenly returns, and the exhibition ends with a lively ttissel between dog and man, nnd joyous how Is of delight on the part of Monk. Of couise a tonnd of applause alwajs follows the entertainment.