Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-11-10
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A Story of a Horse.

A few DAYS ago We were told story by
Mr.. Patterson. of philadelphia, which beau
tifully illustrates the mutual love between
the Young attendant and his horse. Johu
had grown up in a stable, aud for two years
the glossy>coated thoroughbred had been his
constant care lie had groomed him colt,
and with a pardonable pride had watched the
symetrical growth of the hardy muscular sys-
TEN. In the eyes of John there never was
such horse, and possibly the horse thought
John was without counterpart in his way.
In the paddock or in the stable they were de-
voted to each other. Some days ago, while
the thoroughbred was being groomed, in q
spirit of playiulness he nipped Johns bare
arm with his teeth. The next morning the
arm was so swollen that the boy had to carry
it in sling. The first impression was that
the teeth of the horse were poisonous TO the
flesh of his young groem. When questioned
about his swollen arm, John, with sickly
smile, evaded direct answer rather than
charge his suferings to the horse which long
ASSOCIATION had crowned as the idol of his af-
fection. lie could not use the arm conse-
guently, thoroughbred had to be greomed By
strange hands. John, however, stood near,
faint with pain, to see that the work was done.
The horse turned his head every few mo-
ments and looked pleadingly at the boy. At
last lie gave low whimper, and John aps
preached his head. The intelligent animal
looked at his bandaged arm, examined it care
fully, tenderly, with his nose, then with
half sad movement laid his head softly on the
young shoulder, close to the bright, warm
cheek. 1t was much as To say, u am soI-
ry forgive me- - Though mute, it was the
language of eloquencc TO John. In his joy
he forgot his injury, and wildly throwing both
arms around the long, beautiful neck of the
docile steed, pressed him rapturousiy to his
heart. The impulse was true, but the eifort
was too great With spasm of pain he re-
leased his grasp and fell against the manger.
The horse looked pity;ngly into his eyes, then
tcnderly licked his hands and face. 1t was
a beautiful picture of sympathy, sadness, suf-
feriug and love; and since that day Mr.. Pat
tcrsor says that he has placed higher value
on the horse. John, we must not forget to
add, was rejoiced, one hour later, to hear the
surgeon sag that the swelling did not arise
from the bite of the horse, but from some
weeds, poisonous to the flesh, that he had
handled on the morning he received the
slight wound.
We're we to observe scenes more closely
than we do, there is no question but that we
would often be impressed with striking dis
plays OF affection between man, and not only
the horse, but the whole of the dumb brute
creation. Dumb Why call them dumb,
when their feelings are SO strong, their cour-
age so noble, and their language though mute,
full of expression and elogucnce All ! they
are not half so british as some who pride
themselves upon making in the image of their
God; nor so dumb, as far as pure affection,
sound intelligence and lofty instincts are con-
cerned, as thousands, who hold it to be di-
vine right to domineer over every animal that
goes upon all fours, and who bore polite ears
with blatant speech.-Tayf: Field and Farm.