Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-02-23
The Shetland Pony.

oiO StOdl ioN Win
boys for their small size, beautiful shape,
and gentle, playful disposition, seems 20 ut
them exactly to be playmates tor young
people, and the little horses are always
ready to join in their pleasure excursions
and frolics.
Egypt was the original country OF hor-
ses ; but as they are now found in all parts
of the world, they differ greatly, each klnd
of horse being adapted to the climate ana
productions of the country he lnhlablts-
The Shetland pony is just the animal re-
quired in Scotland, the Shetland Islands,
from which its name is derived, and Cana
da. Its dimlnutive size suits the scanty
vegetation of these countries, which would
not support large animals; but If they were
as feeble as they are small, they would be
of little service. They, however, possess
immense strength in proportion to their
size, and are so tough and healthy that they
can live among the mountains through the
long winters, aud survive to great age. e.
ven fifty or sixty years.
In Scotland, they are called Shelhes, and
as they have to take care of themselves,
they run almost wild upon the mountains,
and will climb up steep places, standing
with ease on the very edge of most fright
full preclpices. On the Sabbath, they are
always wanted to carry the families to
church, and they must be caught on Satur-
day. The rogues know how to make this
difficult task. 1t is pleasing sight, on
Sunday morning, to see one or two women
mounted upon one of these ponies, cover
ing him so completely with their large dres-
ses, that nothing can be seen of the pony
but its droll, little head.
a midding-slzed man must ride with his
knees raised to the animals shoulders, to
prevent his toes from touching the ground
1t IS surprising to see with what speed they
will carry heavy man over broken and
zigzag roads in their native mountains,
A gentleman, some time ago, was pre-
sented with one of these handsome little
animals which was no less docile than ell
eeant and measured only seven hands, or
twenty-eight inches in height. He was
anxious to convey his present home as
speedily as possible, but, being at consid-
erable distance, was at loss how to do so
most easily. The friend said, ''Can you
carry him in your chaise"' He made the
experiment, and the Shelly was lifted into
it, covered up with the apron, and some
bits of bread given him to keep him quiet
He lay peacefully till he reached his desti-
nation, thus exhibiting the nov ell spectacle
of hsrse riding IN gig.
A little girl, the daughter of gentleman
in Warwickshire, (England,) playing on
the banks of canal which runs through
his grounds, had the misfortune to fall in,
and would, in all probability, have been
drowned, had not little pony, which had
long been kept in the family, plunged into
the stream and brought the child safely a
shore, without the slightest injury.
A farmer in Canada had large number
of ponies, and among them a very hand
some and playful one, which was great
favourite with little boy about ten years
of age, the only child of the farmer One
day the boy was sent several miles on an
errand for some money, with warning to
return before night, as the country was in
tested with robbers His visit was so de-
hghtful that he forgot the command OF his
parents, and did not mount his pony to re-
turn till it was quite dark. His road lay
through thick forest, and it was not long
before a highwayman attacked and dragged
him from his horse, which ran swiftly
homeward Meantime, his terrified parents
sat trembling by their freside, awaiting
their boys return. They were just prepar-
ing to 60 in search of him, when they heard
the gathering of hoofs, and soon after loud
kicking and paving at the door. On open
ing it,they saw the pony in state OF great
excitement, with his saddle and bride
dangling about him. He ran from them
short distance, then frisked about, and,
seizing the fathers coat in his teeth, pulled
him along. The agonized parents followed
the animal, who ran ahead, constantly turn
ing back and neighing to urge them on
ward. After travelling many miles through
the woods, they came to the place where
the boy had been robbed and found him
tied to tree, stripped of his money aud
clothes, and half dead with fear and cold.
He was placed on the pony's back, who
proudly bore him home, and was ever after
treated as true friend by the boy whose
life he had saved.
We have somewhere read curious sto-
ry of farmer who was in the habit of ri
ding little Shelly TO an ale-house, some
miles distant, where he squandered his hard
earnings in drink, and generally became so
intoxicated that he could hardly mount his
horse. But the animal knew his masters
failing, and usually succeeded in bringing
him safe to his house. But, one night, the
man was so drunk that he rolled off into
the mud when about half way home. The
fall cut his head severely, aud he lay with
his foot in the stirrup,so that the poor horse
could not move without trcading on him.
After standing patiently for some time, he
became vexed with his beastly master. and,
turning his head, gave him hearty shak-
ing. This reused the man from his stupor;
but his hurt was so severe that he could
not rise-though he tried to do so-till the
horse took hold of his collar, and raised his
head nearly to the saddle,when be contriv-
ed to crawl upon his back, and was carried
carefully home.
ToLp YOU So.-''Wifel our cows dead
---choked with turnip."
81 told you so. always said she'd choke
herself with them turnlps."
'But 1t was pumpkin---"
"Well, It's all the same. | know'd all
along how it would be. Nobody but MIN
ny, like you, would feed cow on pump
kins that wasn't chopt."
"The pumpkins was chopt. And twant
the pumpkins neither that choked her. II