The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-12
Do Animals Rsason2

Do animals reason? / have no doubt that
they do. They have memory ;Tcertain. They
can be instructed up TO certain point. What
is called the cunning Of the Iox" is nothing
but his quick sagacity. multitude OF sto-
ries-eVen enough to make quite volume
could be gathered Illustrating the sagacity of
the elephant the horse, the dog, and other
animals Even the stupid Ass knoweth his
masters crib"
A fox has been known-so / have been toll
Ito carry of a small pig. In course OF his
way back to the woods he had to cross deep
creek, setting up from the sea. He could
Jump over it himself. But could he jump
over it with the pig in his mouth? That was
the problem to be solved. He went off lit
broken limb, in his mouth 1t was just about
as heavy as his pig. Now" says he 'if
can Jump across this creek with this knot in
my mouth, also can with the pig" In amo-
ment he gave the leap and over he went. de
then laid down his knot, jumped back again,
seized Eis pig, and stood a moment as ii weigh
ing aud comparing the two. He hesitated
but a moment, when presto! be was over
pig and all. Was not this reasoning and log
ic? Could philosopher or a divine have
drawn more acute inference?
A dog had been accused of killing sheep
He and bis master were very fond OF each 9TH
er. 1t was a long time ere the owner could
be made to believe the ill report about his ta-
yorite. At last he was convinced that poor
Rover was guilty. As he could not bear to
kill him himself, he came into the room one
morning and said, "Peter, you may take the
dO1 afIer breakfast and shoot him. Mind
and kin him dead" The dog was in the room
and heard IT, In an instant he darted out OF
the room and was off in a straight line. NO
calling or shouting could cause him to turn
his head. Straight as an arrow he shot across
the lots and went out of sight. Every hour
they expected him back. At night he would
certainly come. But no, he never returned!
Many months after this his master was riding
on horseback in wild, lonely place. just ~
ne came between the two banks through
winch the road had been cut, he saw poor no.
yer standing on one OF the banks. His heart
yearned toward the old friend and he spoke
10 him very kindly. But Rover's heart was
hardened lie gave one growl, snapped his
teeth at his old master, and again scaInpered
off at the top OF his speed. His master new
er saw him again! Unforgiving Rover Thy
memory was good, and thy will was strong
and thine anger lasting!
One more example. A neighbor Of ,p;,o
had very knowing cat. or course Tab was
very great favorite with all the family. At
time when Tab had family of kittens.
beautiful kittens too, and when it seemed as ii
1t was too much for her to take care of them
one Of them was given away to neighoor.-
Little kit was carried off in basket, aud
warmly welcomed. In day or two, the doo
being opened, in walked Mrs. Tab, who seiz
ed her kitten and made off with it-seemin:
delighted to find her child. In about thre
weeks she came back again, tugging her kit
ten, and laying it down at the feet of the mis-
tress of the house, seemed to say, MADAM
this kit was too Young when you took it be
fore. It needed my care. But now 1t
grown up, and can get along very we'll. Yol
may now have it." With that Mrs. Tab walk
ed of, leaving her kitten, and never returne
for it. Rev. DR.. Todd.