Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-04-12
Nj | S c T. l. l. A n Y .
TEE HORSE AND FITS RIDER
Ely l.. TODD.

In all the universe of God, perhaps he has not
given unto man more useful and intelligent, and
4 more grateful animal than the horse He is n
thinking, a calculating and social animal Treat
him as he knows he ought to be treated, and he is
thy companion, thy friend, and in thy defence he
VIII sacrifice his own life. Pity he is so abused
pity to see him bound in dirt cart his bones
piercing the skin, load far beyond his STRENGTH.
brute having two legs, but more ignorant than his
morse, beating him with club because he won't
move the load, which he is willing though unable
to drag-this unfeeling mortal should be marched
To the nnsi 49, -~~'' fr,y stripe, save u.,o
Will TelaIe 4 lew anecdotes, hoping it NAV in
duce men TO treat him with more kindness. i had
.ne i"iiowing from a gentleman, of whose veracty
there is no doubt. friend of his was ridino home
IN dark night through a wood; he struck his
mead against tree and fell stunned to the ground.
Inc horse returned 10 the house they had left ::
paved at the door and some one came out The
horse turned about. looking over his shoulder. and
walked ahead. He was followed by man, who
| found his master lying senscless Thus the horse
saved the masters lie.
when man is uniformly kind to his horse, the
animal will never desert him in his distress An
acquaintance OF mine having drunk deep and late
at tavern. was placed on his horse and started for
home-ell from the saddle--in the morning he
was found lying asleep on his side the horse living
! with his back to the back of mis- master IL was
thought that the warmth of the animal kept the
man alive.
81 have SEEM" said friend of mine .'a child of
five years old sent for by the wife of the keeper 10
quiet an unruIy horse, for to other person would
! he yield such implicit obedience; but 4 pat from
her tiny Land or the intante inquiry, What's the
matter with you 9 was sufficient to allay every oh.
strePerous symptom-but it was only to her that
he yielded such submission for otherwise, he was
a high-spirled and really intractabe animal This
child was often found asleep on the neck of the horse
when he laid himself down in his stall, and so long
as she continued ~ sleep so long the horse invara
oily renamed IN his recumbent position
There is something mysterious in the manner in
which the horse discovers and avoids pers of which
mis- master Is quite unsuspcious. In 1916. a gen
tieinan In France about To cross a bridge i'm ca
brlolet; the horse stopped-neither whip nor coax
! ing would induce him To move-whle urging the
horse, the arch fell thus saving the life of the mas
ter.
A few months ago, there died in nv stable n
horse by the name of Billy. He had carried my
wife, my children. my grand children and INV Great
grandchildren. He was white Canadian pony,
and as doce as child. One day, going to vii
lage on Long Island, on part of The road where
was obliged to pass they were making stone fence
the road lay encountered with ox-carts chains
lime barrels, large stones &c, so as to make it al
most impossible even III Daylight got detained
beyond expectation When returning it was very
dark.
When came TO the road making department
,Ou'u "O' Sco my IOIoe > mead tic stopped. II
was the end Of March, the frost coming out Of tht
ground. Had stepped from the wagon, woult
have sunk to the knees in mud. Now, Billy, >
says |, 81 can't see, can't walk you must tr,
not to upset me if you cam" I sacke1 the reint
-"Now," says ]. Chilly, yc MAY gang yocr al,
gaH'-(he understood Scotch as well as if he hac
been born in Scotlaud.) lie put his nose to thu
ground he tackled and wore ship like an old sailo
among breakers; he brought me out safe. 'sWel
done, Billy" says I. ''you shall get bickcr &
fuarts) Of oats for this" lie Clapped his feet {
the ground, and in ten minutes we were at the sta
bic door. | washed the mud from his legs rubbe
him down, made bed Of clean straw, gave him
drink and then his oats, and bid him good night
He returned lO,o ncker. as if he said "thank We
Last summer The wife Of one of my sons died.
Billy went with man down to New York. an
r brought up her coffin. 1t was his last load. II
took sick that same hour after coming home, am
died in three OF four days thereafter. He was bu
ried in his skin in grave neither dog Gor biizzar
n profaning his worthy carcass The man wh
would, in his anger, beat or abuse his horse, wit
the same brutal arm he will knock down his wifi
GRANT THORBURN.
February 20, f848.