Smyrna times., 1867-12-25
The Horse-His Memory and Sagacity

An aged and venerable friend, residing in
one of the cities on our Eastern seabOard,
gentleman of character and worth, once relat-
ed to me the following anecdote Of the horse,
illustrating in remarkable manner the Sagacl-
ty and memory of this animal:
At the close of the Revolutionary war. when
everything was unsettled and in disorder, an
acquaintance residing on the Boston road, some
thirty or forty miles from New York, lost a
valuable young horse, stolen from his stable in
the night Great search and enquiry were
made and no trace of him could ever be discov-
ered
Almost six full years had elapsed, and the
recollection of the lost animal had nearly faded
from the mind At this period a gentleman
from the East, in the course OF business, was
travelling on horseback on this road, on his way
to Philadelphia. When within four or five
miles of village the traveller was Overtaken
by a respectable looking gentleman on horse
back, IA resident Of the village, returning from
short business ride. Riding along, side by
side, they soon engaged in pleasant desultory
conversation. The gentleman was immediate
ly struck with the appearance OF the traveller s
horse. And every glace Of the eye cast toward
him seemed to excite an interest and curlOs ty
to look at him again, and to revive recOllec-
tiOn of something he had seen before, and soon
established in his mind the impressions that
for all the world he looked like the horse he
bad lost some six years ago. This soon be-
came so irresiStibly fixed in his mind that he
remarked to the traveller:
"You have a fine horse, sir?'
Yes, +" he replied, an exceedingly valua-
bic and excellent animal.
What is his age, sir ?"
swell, | suppose him to be about ten OF
elexen years old.
"You did not raise him, then?"
No, | purchased him OF stranger, trav-
eler nearly six years ago.
DO you reside in this part of the coun
try?%
my way to Philadelphia, on business. How
far is it to New York ?"
"Well, sir, | really regret to interrupt you
or put you to inconvenience-but L am con
strained to say | believe you have in your po
session horse that | must claim.
The traveller looked with surprise and amaze
ment, and replied:
What do you mean sir?"
81 believe sir, in TRUTH the horse you ar
on belongs to me. Five years ago the pas
autumn a valuable young horse was stolen from
my stable. Great search was made for him
but no tidings of him ever came to hand Ii
color, appearance, and movements it seems t
me he was the exact counterpart of the hOrs
you are on. 1t would be hardly possible,
think, for two to be so near alike. But m!
horse was an uncOmmonly intelligent, sagacjOu
animal. And l will make proposition to yO
that will place the matter in such a position
that the result will be conclusive and satisfac
tory, think, to both of u.s. We are now with
in mile Of my residence which is on the road
in the centre of the village before US Whe
we arrive at my house, your horse shall be tie,
to the east post in front of my door, the hors
| am on to the west post. After standing
short time the bride Of your horse shall be ia
ken off, and if he does not go to a pair of. bar
on the west side of the house, and pass owe
and go round to the east side of the barn, an
pull out pin aud open the middle stable doc
and enter, | will not claim him. If he does,
will furnish you conclusive evidence that he wa
bred by me, but never sod-that he was ste
len from me just as the conclusion of the wal
about the time you said you purchased him. "
The traveller assented to the trial. Th
horse was htched to the post as proposed, an
stood few minutes, the bride was then take
off he raised his head pricked up his ear
looked up the street, then down the stree
J several times, then deliberately and slow
walked past the house and over the bars, an
to the stable door as described, and with h
teeth and lip drew out the pin. opened tE
door, and entered into his old stall. We hare
f ly need to add he was recognized by the neigl
bors, who fully attested to the facts stated h
{ the claimant, and that the traveller lost his t
: tie to the horse.