The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-19
Animal hectloa.
[From the Turi. Fie . and yarn. }

From the Turf, File and Farn.l
The affection that a horse shows for the hand
that caresses him often is very touching. The
Jockeys prayer as illustrated by the pencil Of the
srtst, is not all Illusion, not mere poetic fancy
for the ATTACHMENT of the boy for the horse with
whom he is thrown in daily contact, is fully az
strong as the attachment OF the horse Tor the boy.
When the one stretches his young limbs upon the
bed of straw, drawing over them the faded
blanket, all his dreams are peopled with horses
gaiy caparisoned for the arena. or freely sporting
In the bright sunshine and the form of each horse
bears wonderful likeness to the steed that greets
him with neigh in the morning. but now stand
ing or quietly lying in his STALL dreaming, per
chance, of the lips that kissed him and the hand
that softly Caressed him when the faint twilight
was deepening into the shadows Of night. Why
should not the horse dream as well as the bOyi
He is the boys idol and the boy is his love Where
memory exists. there, at least are the hlaments Of
love- and love 10 the ethereal god of airy vision.
CGSar never felt stronger thrill Of honest pride
than the jockey feels when returning to the weigh
ing stand from victorious race. The horse is
one furnace Of heat, the breathing heavy, the step
slow and labored, but the jockey sits lightly 10 the
saddle, speaking words of encouragement to the
dropping steed, his face illumined by broad grin
OF pleasure, for none knows better than he how
CALAMITY, gamely, herocally the horse struggled
to win the feeble tribute of applause from the
multitude assembled in the grand stand. He knows
the triumph has well nigh exhausted for the mo-
ment the>vital energies. but he is well aware that
tender hands will soon receive the weak, tOtterng
the wasted vigor. Weak as the horse is, he seems
TO share in the pride of his Ider for aud then
be prieks up his as if IN response to some
dearDg phrase or kind caress. But when the
saddle is removed and his head has been cooled
with water, there is a world of sfIec len 10 Q
Frightening eyes as the whole brigade Of stable
boys gather around him TO assist in relieving him
of his distress. He has nod of recognition for
each one will lay his head upon this shoulder.
then upon that, and even is so much az home that
he takes advantage Of all the privileges accorded
TO petted invalid. Let any one closely watch
such scene as this, and il he ever has denied
that there is a bond Of intelligent sympathy aud
ardent love between master aud horse, be will not
persist in the denial.
few days ago we were told a story by Mr.
Patterson OF Philadelphia, which beautifully illus
trates the mutual love between the young attend
ant and bis horse. John bad grown up in a stable,
and for two years the glossy coated thoroughbred
had been his constant care. He had groomed him
when colt, and with pardonable pride he'd
watched the symmetrical growth Of the body and
the development CT the hardy Muscular system.
In the eyes Of John there was never such horse,
and possibly the horse thought that John was with
out a counterpart in his way. Ia the paddock or
in the stable they we're devoted TO each OF er,
Some days ago, while the thoroughbred was be ng
Rroomed, In spirit OF playfulness he nipl cd
johns bare arm with his teeth. The next m, m.
ing the arm was so swollen that the boy had to
carry it in sling. The first impression was I hat
the teeth of the horse were poisonous 70 the esh
OF his young groom. When questioned about his
sw ollen arm, John, with sickly smile, evade d a
direct answer rather than charge his suffering 70
The horse which long association had crowned q
the idol Of his affection. he could not use the ARM
consequently, the thoroughbred had to be grOOmed
by strange hands. John, however, stood near,
faint with pain, to see that the work well done.
The horse turned his head every few moments and
looked pleadingly at the boy. At last he gave a
low whimper, and John approached his head. The
intelligent animal looked az his bandaged arm
examined it carefully, tenderly, with his nose.
then with half sad mo Fement laid his head softly
on the young groom's shoulder close 10 the bright
warm cheek IL was as much as TO say, 81 am
serry, forgive me-" Though mute, II was the
language of elOquence 20 Ohm. In his ioy he for
got his injury, and wildly throwing both arms
around the long beautiful neck of the dOcie steed
pressed him raptarously 70 his heart. The impulse
was true, but the effort was too great. With a
spasm Of pain he released his clasp and fell against
the manger. The horse looked pityinRly into his i
ey es then tenderly licked his hands and face III
was beautiful picture Of sympathy. sadness,
suffering and love and since that day Mr. P,tter
son says that he has placed higher value on tho
horse. John, we must not forget TO add was r0(
loced, one hour later, 10 hear the surreon a n I,
that the swelling did not arise from the bite of ~ ~
horse, but from some weeds poisonous to A. "A
ceived the wound.
Were we TO observe scenes more closely 1. k.s
we 90, there Is no question but that we vA~,qd
otten be Impressed with striking displays of a -
non ottHeen man, and not only the horse, butthe
whole OF the dumb brute creation Dumb Whv
cail them dumb when their feelings are 80 strong.
.helr courage SO noble and their language thougb
mute, iuli OF expression and eloquencel All thew
are not half 50 british some who pride them.
selves upon walking in the image of their God
Dor so dumb, as far "a pure affection, sound intel
lgence and lofty instincts are concerned as thou.
sands who hold il 10 be divine right to domineer
over every animal that goes UPON all fours. and
who bore polite ears with blatant speech.