WELL PLAYED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XVI, 17 October 1896, Page 507

WELL PLAYED.

A gentleman has a fine St. Bernard dog named Monk, who has been taught a trick of which his master is very proud. Upon a signal, Monk lies down before his master, with his big head stretched out on the floor before his outspread paws. The owner begins, in a low voice, a thrilling story of a poor wanderer strnggling up the passes of the Alps, lost in the blinding enow. Monk listens intently to every word. His voice growing stronger, the gentleman describes the wayfarer as overcome 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 downward. Monk remains perfectly rigid. The gentleman goes on reciting in a tone growing gradually softer He turns np his coat collar, and then, lifting one hand above his head, lets fall a shower of fine white paper. As the pieces representing a gust of snow flurry down, Monk bounds across the floor, barking at the top of his lungs, and reaching the prostrate form of his master, lies down, stretching his paws across the man’s back and poking his big black nose under his collar. He whines and snuffs and pounds the floor with bis big white tail.

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 comes the climax. Monk seizes the helpless man by the coat collar, and is about to drag him away, when life suddenly returns, and the exhibition ends with a lively tussle between dog and man, and joyous howls of delight on the part of Monk. Of course a round of applause always follows the entertainment.