194 A DOG TRAINED TO GO ON ERRANDS. 



learned to distinguish the signals of preparation. 

 When it was near the time of summoning the ser- 

 vants together, a large pot of broth was set down on 

 the hearth, and a long trivet table, usually raised 

 up to the wall to make room, was let down; then 

 the dairy-maid gave a loud call at the door, which 

 was answered by the servants from the fields, and 

 whilst they were on their way, she made every thing 

 ready for their reception. 



The men knew, by the shadows on the moun- 

 tains, when the time drew near ; and if one of them 

 grew impatient, he would say, " Go, Gashkan, 

 see if dinner be ready." Gashkan set off instantly. 

 If, on looking in at the door, he saw the pot on 

 the hearth, and the table let down, he ran back with 

 great alacrity, licked his lips, wagged his tail, and 

 fdsked about his master ; but if he saw no prepara- 

 tion in the kitchen, he went slowly back, with his 

 tail and ears drooping ; and when asked if dinner was 

 ready, slunk sheepishly behind his master. All this 

 the servants understood, as well as if he had delivered 

 a message.* 



Mrs. Palmer's eldest sister is settled in America : 



* Mrs. Grant, author of " Letters from the Mountains," 

 " The American Lady," &c. has obligingly furnished me with 

 this, and several other curious anecdotes. 



