Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-17
Faithful "Old S0rrel."

OoieSe 's u. II luoicateu process 81
nearly akin to reasoning, that it seem.
almost incredible. But the horse who's:
sagacity was so remarkable, bad been seer
by the Doctor himself performing his daily
duty, and bis owner, an honest aud rela
bic man. gave this account.
Rollins, farmer in New Hampshire
resided about three miles from the distric,
school in G. He was accustomed in win
ter to carry his children, As the SHOWS
we're usually too deep to admit Of the
smaller ones walking SO great a distance
"Old Sorrel," as be was called. horse
valued more for his gentleness and docility
than his great swiftness, was harnessed iu
the morning, the four or Eve little ones
we're snugly packed away beneath the
buffalo robes, and carried to the school
house door. Mr.. Rollins then returned,
and driving Sorrel under the shed, occu-
pied bis time in saving wood, or, as be
expressed it, "chOriDg about" until school
closed at noon. The same process was re-
peated in the afternoon, and thus the chill
dren were acquiring an education, and en-
joying any number Of exhilerating sleigh
rides, at the same time.
Oneday, perhaps two months after school
commenced, Mr.. Rollins was detained by
business, and did not 60 to the shed, where
be always found Sorrel munching bis bay,
until more than half an hour after the
usual time. Sorrel had acquired such a
habit of steadiness, that Mr.. Rollins never
took the trouble to fasten him imagine
his surprise, when be entered the shed, to
6ud him gone.
81 wonder if any of the folks in the
house have gone after them children,
now ?" inquired Mr.. Rollins of himself,
as he bad no one else to question, and thus
talking as be went be entered the house.
"No," bis wife answered, as be reitera-
ted the same question, and she added, that
she was sure she had not seen or heard any
one about the she'd
OF she did not add, ~ told you some
thing would happen if you let that horse
stand without bitching him." she must
have been remarkable woman) What
ever she said, Mr.. Rollins was soon trud-
ging through the snow in search Of bis
horse, threatening himself with direful
punishment, "if be ever left that creetur
without tyin' on him up again"
cab, here he comes, though " exclaim-
ed Mr.. Rollins, as the well-known sleigh
bells came ringing around corner, "and
with every one Of them young ones, as
true as am alive. What what! chill.
dren," be asked, jumping into the sleigh
as be spoke, "who went after you?"
"SOrrel, l guess" replied black-eyed
urchiu who sat holding the reins. ale
stood right in front Of the schOolhOuse
when we came out"
ave kept 'spec,ing you, Pa" chimed
in younger one, her eyes glisteniug with /,
delight. "We thought you hid, just for
fun
"Did you send Sorrel alone, PAP"
inquired third. "Wasn't it funny be
wouldn't let anybody ride but us?"
"Who wouldu'tY" asked Mr. Rollins,
more puzzled than enlightened BY this
stream of answers.
"Why, the horse, Pa; the boys all scrab
bled in, and screamed, and laughed, and
whipped up the horse, but he wouldn't
bulge an inch, and the schoolmasser came
and told them to get out, and let MIR. Rol-
Inns children see if they could drive him
Well, 1 took the reips, and just IS soon
as We we're all seated, Sorrel looked round,
rs much as to say, 'that's right and of
be started, and then how the boys cheer
edp
"Do you suppose Sorrel knew twas
lime for US to come home ?" inquired one,
after all had listened to their fathers &C.
,ount.
81 don't know but be did, children;
:hese creeturs know good deal more than
We think for. Iguess I'll try Sorrel with
,ut hitchin' him again."
The worthy man was completely over
come when at night the sagacious animal
backed out of the shed, and
turning into the main road, trot:ed of at
ust the right time for his load, which was
'afely returned as before.
"Now, Doctor" added Mr.. Rollins, in
"i. may sound like pretty
ough story, but it's true. This creetrr
INIT no great of horse to look at, but no
money would buy him. Every day since,
'orrel has brought them children safe
,ome. If anything keeps 'em in school
ouger than common, he aadys stands and
vsits patient as = lamb, until they come
,ut, aad then he is ready to start, and
fore Tat no vhip or spur will start him
u: OF his tracks. He ain's very accono.
latin, for ne Won't in any o the neigh
,ors' children. The boys trV it often,