Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-12-04
The Horse.
HIS MEMORY AND SAGACITY.

HIS MEMORY AND sAGACITY.
An aged and venerable friend, residin.
in one of the cities on our Eastern seaboard
a gentleman Of character and worth, once
related to me the following anecdote of The
horse, illustrating in a remarkable manner
the sagaclty and memory Of this animal
At the close Of the revolutionary war
when everything was unsettled and in dis
order, an acquaintance residing on 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 inquiry was made for him, but no IL
dings of him could be heard, and no trace
of him could be discovered.
Almost six full years had 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 Oh this road, on his way to Philadel-
phia When within four or five miles of a
village on the road, the traveller was over
taken by a respectable looking gentleman
on horseback, resident of the village, re-
turning home from short business ride.
Riding along side by side they soon en-
gagged in pleasant desultory conversation.
The gentleman was Immediately struck
with the appearance of the traveller horse.
And every glance Of the eye cast toward
him, seemed to excite an interest and Gu
rlosity to look at him again, and to revive
Il recollection of something he had seen be-
fore and soon established in his mind the
impression that for all the world he looked
ike the horse he had lost some six years
ago. This soon became so irresistibly fixed
In his mind, that he remarked to the trav-
eIer:
:. You have fine horse, SIR
= Yes" he replied, an exceedingly val
liable and excellent animal"
What is his age, sir?"
" Well, [ suppose him to be about ten or
eleven years old"
:. You did not raise him, them"
:. No, [ purchased him of stranger
traveller, nearly six years since
DO you reside in this part of the coun-
try"
:. No, reside in the Bay State, and am
on 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 [ am
constrained to say, [ believe you have in
your possession a horse that [ must claim
The traveller looked with surprise and
amazement, and replied:
What do you mean sir -.
= believe the horse YOU are on, in truth.
belongs to me. Five years ago, the past
IL --o,,,,-- l. -,
from my stable. Great search was made
for him, but no tidings came to hand In
color, appearance and movements, he was
the exact counterpart Of the horse YOU are
on. 1t would hardly be possible, | think.
Tor two to be SO near alike. But my horse
was an uncommonly intelligent, ga gacious an
imal. And | will make proposition to you
hat VIII place the matter in such posi-
ton that the result Will be conclusive and
think to both Of Us We ARE
now within a mile Of my residence which
IS on the road in the center Of the village
before u. 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.
he bride of your horse shall be taken off. f.
and if he does not 90 TO pair of bars on
he west side Of the house, and pass over.
nd 60 round to the east side of the barn.
,nd pull out pin and open the middle
table door and enter, viii not claim him.
f he does, | will furnish you conclusive
violence that he was bred by me, but never
he was stolen from me lust at
he conclusion Of the war; about the very
ime YOU say you purchased him"
The traveller asSentel to the trial. The
morse was hitched to the post as proposed
stood a few minutes-the bride was then
taken oF-he raised his head-pricked UP
as ears-looked up the street, several
imes-then deliberately and slowly walked
past the house and over the bars, and to
he stable door, as described, and with teeth
md lip drew out the pin. and opened the
loor, and entered into his old stall. We
hardly need to add, he was recognized by
MS neighbors, who fully attested to the /
facts stated by the claimant, and that the
traveller lost his title to the horse.