The Shasta courier., 1864-12-03
Do Animals Reason .

Tbey can be instructed up to certain
point. What is called the T" cunning of the
fox'' is nothing but his quick sagacity. "A
multitude of stories-even enough to make
quite a volume-could be gathered, illustrat
ing the sagacity of the elephant, the horse,
the dog and other animals. Even the stupid
ass 8. knoweth his masters crib" A fox has
been known-eo l have been told-to carry
of small pig. In the course of his way
back to the woods he had to cross a 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 promblem to be solved. He went off
little wav and came back with a pine knot.
piece Of broken limb, in his mouth. Ii
was justabout as heavy as the pig. Now
| the knot in my mouth, can also with the
he went. He then laid down his knot, Jump
ed back again, seized the pig. and stood
moment as if weighing and comparing the
two He hesitated but moment. when.
presto he was over, pig and all. Was this
not reasoning and logic? Could philoso-
| pher or divine have drawn a more accurate
inference?
A dog had been accused ofkilling Sheep
other. 1t was long time before the owner
could he made to believe the i'll report about
his favoriie. At last be was convinced that
poor Rover was guilty. As be could not bear
to kill him himself, he came inlo the room
one morning and said. Peter, after break
fast you may take the dog off and shoot him.
Mind and kill 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 certainly would come.
But no, he never returned Many months
after this, his master was riding on horseback
in wild, lonely place. just as he came
between two banks, through which the road
had been cut, he saw poor Rover standing on
of the banks. His heart yearned to-
wards his old friend, and he spoke to him
very kindly. But Rover's heart was hard
ened. He gave one growl, snapped his teeth
at his old :saster. and again scampered off at
the top Of his speed. His master never saw
him again. Unforgiving Rover Thy men,
ory was good, and thy will was strong, and
thine anger lasting
One more example. A neighbor of mine
had very knowing cat. Of course, Tahwas
a great favorite with all the family. At
time when Tab had family of kittens,
beautiful kittens, too, and when it seemed as
if it was too much for her to take care of them,
one of them was given away to a neighbor.
Little kit was carried off in covered basket,
and was warmly welcomed. In a day or two
the door being opened, in walked Mrs. Tab,
who seized her kitten and made off with it.
seemingly delighted to find her child. In
about three weeks she came back again, tug
ging her kitten, and laying it down at the
feet of the mistress of the house, seeming to
say, /" Madame this kit was too young when
you tooleit before. 1t needed my care. But
now it is grown up and can get along very
we'll. You may now have it." With that
Mys. Tab walked of, leaving her kitten, and
never returning for it.