Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-19
IFrOm the Piu.burg Republican,
The HOrse-His Memory and Sagaoity.

An aged aud venerable friend, residing in
one of the cities on our Eastern seabOard, a
gentleman of character and worth, once re-
lated to Us the following anecdote of the
horse, illustrating in a remarkable manner
the sagacity and memory of this animal
SAT the close of the Revolutionary war,
when every thing was unsettled aud in dis
order, an acquaintance, residing on the Bos-
ton road, some thirty or forty miles from New
York, lost a valuable young horse, stolen
from his stable in the night. Great search
and inquiry were made for him, hut no tidings
Of him could be heard, and NO trace Of him
could ever be discovered
almost six full years had now elapsed,
and the recollection even 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 horse-
back on this road, on his way to Phiadelp phia.
When within four or five miles of village on
the road, the traveller was OvertaEen by 4
respectable looking gentleman on horseback.
resident of the village, returning home from
a short business ride. Riding along side by
side they soon engaged in a pleasant desultO-
ry conversation. The gentleman was imme-
diately struck with the appearance of the
travellers horse. And every glance of the
terest and curiosity to look at him, and to re-
vive recollection of some thing he had seen
before, and soon established in his mind the
impression that for all the world he looked
like the horse he had lost some six years ago
This soon became so irresistibly fixed in his
mind that he remarked to the traveller:
''YOu have fine horse, sir"
''Yes, he replied, ''an exceedingly valua-
bic aud excellent animal"
"What is his age, sir?"
"Well, I suppose him to be about ten or
eleven years old"
''You did not raise him, then"
''No; 1 purchased him of stranger,
traveller, nearly six years since"
''DO you reside in this part of the country"
''No, reside in the Bay State, and am on
my way to Philadelphia, on business. How
far is it to New York ?'
''Well, sir, l really regret to interrupt you,
or put you to Inconvenience, but am con
strained to say I believe you have in your
possession horse that / must claim" /
The traveller looked with surprise and
amazemeut, and replied:
"What do you mean, sir?"
'''I believe the horse you are on, in truth,
belongs to me. Five years ago, the past
autumn, valuable young horse stolen
from my stable. Great search was made for
him, but no tidiDgs of him ever came to hand.
In color, appearance and movements, it seems
to me he was the exact counterpart of tEe
horse you are on. 1t would be hardly posi-
BILE, think, for two to be so near alike
But my horse was an uncommonly intelli-
gent, and sagacious animal And will make
proposition to you that will place the mat
ter in such position that the result will be
conclusive and satisfactory, think, to both
OF us. We are now within mile Of my res
idence, which is on the road in the centre of
the village before US: When we arrive at
my house, your horse shall be tied to the east
post in front of my dOor-the horse am on
to the west post. After standing a short |
time, the bride of your horse shall be taken
of, and if he does not go to pair of bars on
the west side of the house, and pass over, and
go around to the east side Of the barn, and
pull out pin, and open the middle stable
door and enter, l will not claim him. lfhc
does, 1t will furnish you conclusive evidence
that he was bred by me, but never sold that
he was stolen from me at the conclusion of
the war, about the very time you say you pur-
chased him.
"The traveller assented to the trial. The
horse was hitched to the post as proposed ;
stood few minutes; the bride was then ta-
ken off; he raised his head, pricked up his
ears, looked up the street, then down the
street several times, then deliberately and
slowly walked past the house aud over the
bars and to the stable door, as described. and
with teeth and lips drew out the pin and
opened the door, and entered into his own
stall. We hardly need to add he was recog-
nized by his neighbors, who fully attested the
facts stated by the claimant, and that tic
traveller lost his title to the horse"