The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-06-06
Miscellaneous.

fl Judge Taylor of Alabama recently sent the
following communication to the editor of the Mobile
Advertiser. 1t is of an interesting character Mr.
Langdon, the editor in Introducing it to his readers
says, that every fact stated be corroborated by
hundreds of his veracious citizens But we
presume that the statement will not be doubted-as
facts of extraordinary characterwel attested
illustrating the sagucity of the horse, have from time
to time been laid before the public. And the cow
too, has not been backward in indicating her claims
to the exercise of reason. Not long ago 'sweI au-
thentcnted'' tale told, of a cow, which being
thirsty, and in the trough, took the pump
handle between her horns, worked it wtne astoni4h-
ingdexterity and success-insomuch, that she filled
the trough and quenched her thirst!
CAN HORSE REASON
C. C. Langdon,-My purpose is not to discuss
the question the head of this article but TO submit
facts for the speculation of those who may be
curious in such matters. As you aware,
horse called John, that for several years has only
amused, but astOnished the public, by his various
feats of intelligence and sagucity.
Every b ody knows John, and if he is seen, as he
often IS in buggy, and in t,waiking trotng
gniIopng through the crowded streets, thread
offers stop him, but if stranger attempts it, he
only excites laugh, and is asked how long he has
been in the city. have Witnessed some amusing
scenes of this kind at the expense some ones good
Intentions.
It is proper, I should state, that, for the asst
seven years. with the exception of the past and rpes-
ent winters, / have resided about. two and half
miles from the city. generally come town every
ola I drtve
and back without touching the rein. fIcOme down
ST. Francis street. he certain stop the Waiver
ley, without any thing being. said him, and
rs get out, he will u gnllop. and stop
at the Corinthan. If come down Dauphin street,
he will 90 directly the Post Office, where he will
stop until get out, when he will wheel across the
street and remain there his opinion, reasonable
time; if he water he will go to j pump, and
from one TO another, until he ands friend TO pump
it for him, when he will return.
John is also a general favorite. The Freedom of
of the city long since presented to him in bug
uy! He is, therefore, not confined to any particu-
lar street. but goes where ne likes, in pursuit of
or his own amusement. He will sometimes 20 to
Waiter street, and then to Commerce, where with
excellent taste and Judgment, he will sample bales
of hay on the sidewalk but unlike the
piers. ne was known fill bag and carry it
off on his back. He not only knows me from 9TH
ers, but distinguish my voice from all others, as
may be easily proved. Hundreds of persons may
pass him daily without attracting from him any par
ticuIar notice. IL come towards him when his head
is turned from me, and happen to talking at the
time, although from his tight chect-fen the motion
may be difficult, and perhaps painful, he will turn
eye, which then exhibits peculiar tremuious mo-
tion fixed on me until pass IF he then desires to
70 home, he will raise his head. point his ears, and
start after me, stepping ottiiy and keeping me in
view Although spirited animal, nothing ''frght-
ems him from his propriety;' in fact, ne ''darcs do
all that may become a''-horse- 1t is a fact quite
notorious that he will go about the city in pursuit of
me; it is equally that experiments have been made
to induce him to leave me, by turning him up the
street leading the country, but after turning block
or two he ud invariably come back There are
many instances of gentlemen having driven him to
their residence different parts of the city and turn
ed him loose to come back, and am informed that
some bets have been pocketed such perfornan-
ces. L had a standing bet for some years. that l.
vvould send him to the market the post office, or
any house or point that might be designated and that
he would return safely with the huggy.-No- one
doubted he would 90 it.
But a few months since, sent him from my house
across the country to the Spring nil road and mp that
,,d n distance of mile, the house ofa friend,
Itt,ouph he had not been therefor more than year,
have often sent him on errands of asmIiar character
Ihnve .only to 90 with MIN and show him a place.
and he never orgstsit He is perfectly under COM
nand Of my voice. Espsak tolhim as l. would to'a
zervunt and that he understands many things say
to him, IS proved by the fact that he obeys me- In
harness or ont of It he follows about ike adog
He stands in no fear of me, and has no cause'ior
aI,bourt, muv sometimes scoid him, have never
rrotx him. as believe, in the years-and ahalf
r I,rvss owned him-EIe herefored does nothing from
Il .i,Lr-f r,rrrk iuriueas-