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The New York Times, August 1, 1931

Gives 200 Mark Twain Pamphlets to Found, Through Sale, Scholarship at Williams

Special to The New York Times.

BUFFALO, July 31. - A unique scholarship created at Williams College by Irving S. Underhill, a Williams alumnus and Buffalo coal dealer, was described by its donor tonight.

The scholarship has been made possible through the gift of 200 copies of a Mark Twain pamphlet, "The Dog's Tale." It is to continue for 100 years through the selling each year of two of the pamphlets, which have an approximate value of $100 each. The college authorities may make the award in any way they see fit.

In 1903, according to publishing records, a batch of fifty pamphlets was printed by Harper & Brothers for the National Anti-Vivisection Society in London, England. Mr. Underhill was convinced the estimate was wrong, because he believed it would have been unprofitable to print such a small number. In 1926 he began an intensive search for the pamphlets, advertising in British magazines and papers.

Within a few months he had more than 200 copies. He sold several, gave a few away and sent the 200 to Williams last October. The college as yet had made no acknowledgment, he said. It was his idea to name the scholarship the Dog's Tale.

The story describes the life of a college dog and its puppy. The owner of the dogs, a doctor, experiments on the eyes of the puppy. His experiments are successful, but he blinds the dog.

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