Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-16
Sagacity and Instinct of Animals.

Much has been written and said Of the in
stinct or intelligence Of the lower order of
animals, and where one leaves of and the
other begins, according 10 the quality or i'm
portance of the exhibit The fact is, that
know but little of it, and sometimes | think
much less, especially after witnessing such
actionsa and resultsas are contained in this "true
story"
A gentleman residing in one of our rural
villages had a pony lively docile, and
very active animal, whose principal service
was to carry his mistress Ia niece) out riding
every fine day, her uncle, the gentleman, rid
ing his horse. In their rides they had to
pass a farm house, just over the bridge where
was kept surly cur dog, which habitually
jumped over the fence and barked at and wor-
ried the horses and particularly the pony,
attempting to bite his hind legs, and causing
him to wheel about and squirm about to face
the dog and save his heels.
One day the owner Of the dog Yas spoken
to and requested to keep his dog inside the
fence, and prevent him worrying the horses.
lie replied His dog had as good right
on the road as any other puppy, aud he should
not tie him up"
" Then" said the uncle I'll shoot your
dog the next time he flies out at us in this
way" and so left,
When they got home and the saddle and
bride were taken off the pony, he slipped
away from the hostler and run up to the
house, where Bruno, large Newfoundland
dog, was lying on the mat in front Of the
piazza. They met pony put his nose down
to Bruno's and he raised his head, as though
he was listening.
There look at that dog and pony said
uncle what under the sun are they at
They act as though they were talking"
. They let them alone until they got through
and pony ran about the lawn, and would not
be caught, and Bruno laid down again as be-
fore.
Next day they rode again, prepared to
shoot the cur, or scare him from his evil prac-
tees. A short distance from the house, and
on turning an angle of the road, they looked
back and spied Bruno quietly following them.
." This won't do" says uncle. I" Go back,
Bruno you know there is nobody at home
but your mistress, and who'll guard the house
when you are away2 Go back
The dog turned and jumped over the fence,
as they thought, to 90 home across lots. so
they rode on until the farm house appeared in
sight. Out came the eur uncle prepared to
shoot, when, all of sudden, over came Bru-
no, seized the cur by the neck, shook him
severely, and made him yell like fun, so much
SO that the family came out to the rescue
while pony looked on, evidently with as mucl
delight as a child would at play. He pawe'
the ground, shock and bowed his head anC
was very active in securing good view of Tia
fight. BY aud by Bruno let go, the Gu
sneaked into the house, and Bruno ghlope
off home, after exchanging some words, .
rather rubbing noses, with pony.
When they all got home again the animal
had another conference, and fine gallo
about the lawn, much to the applause au
merriment of uncle and the family.
Now what was thisl Was it instinct
was j; reason The facts were as | hay
stated. II instinct, then was it nearly ALI,
to reason; and if reason, then these ANNA
possess it.-Ne1 York Citizen.