The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-15
From Our Dumb Animals
Do Amin ais Talk TO One Another

/ think they do. was recently guest
in the family of the owner of several thor
ough-bred horses, among whom | spent
many happy hours. One, descendant OF
the famous General Knox, named
Beauty" full of fun and frolc, seemed to
delight in giving her visitors q fright by
angrily tossing her beautiful head, stamp
ing her feet, and lashing her long black
tail. Always carrying bunch of nice,
tender grass in my hand, l soon curred
favor with her next stall neighbor, "Jen-
ME-" who never failed to greet me with a
neigh of delight, moving TO the further
side of the spacious stall, and by many
coaXing ways giving me to understand
that there was room enough for me to
enter, and l need not be afraid. Once in
the stall, she would rub her nose against
me, saying as plainly as need be, 81 love
and serve those who love me, and am too
well bred to do an unlady-like action"
Passing to "Beauty's" stall, would
shyly enter holding the grass at arms
length, then make my exit as speedily as
possible. Beauty would always brighten
me by snorting, stamping, and tossing her
head high in the air.
During one of these visits, sharp neigh
from" Miss Jennie" caused " Beauty" to
elevate her nose to the top of the side of
the stall. A few more neighs uttered in
peculiar tone, and quick tramping sound
in the adjoining stall, and what was my sur
prise to see " Beauty" drop her head,
move to the farthest side of her stall, as
Stunning a very sheepish attitude, which |
interpreted thus: "Excuse me, ma'am;
Jennie says I'm not to scare you any more,
but stand just so, and cat my grass
quietly" which thereafter she never failed
to do.
If, as Beecher moro than half hints I,
there is future land of infinite grass
and oats for four-footed animals, l think
we shall renew our acquaintance.
That animals of different species do
thoroughly understand one another, l
have had indsputable evidence in my own
family of dumb friends. | own small
Spanish poodle who had young pup.
When he was three weeks old, a favorite
cat, fourteen years old, gave birth to two
uncommonly small, feeble kittens. Nature
having neglected to provide the mother
with nutriment for her young, the faithful
creature determined to give them foster
mother. After repeated plaintive calls,
she succeeded in drawing the dogs atten-
ton to herself. The cat and dog occupied
baskets IN opposite corners OF the room
puss jumped from her basket, rubbed her
nose against the dog, purred, and looked
at the kittens whereupon the dog
jumped into the eats basket, took
out kitten, carried it to her own,
laid it beside the puppy, then
went back for the other, jumped in beside
them, washed and mTSed them. Kitty
Clover stood upon her hind-legs, with her
fore-paws resting upon the edge of the
basket, saw that they were well provided
for, wagged her tail complacently, purred
little anthem of thanksgiving, and walked
away.
But we found that the kittens were too
delicate to draw sufficient nutriment from
the dog to subsist upon; so we mercifully
disposed of them. Kitty uttered a violent
protest, yelping, barking, and running
from room to room, searching for her
adopted children, and for a time refused to
be comforted.
If animals have no language by which
they can express their ideas Of one
another, how did the cat make known to the
dog that her kittens required food and
care ?-Bedt,ice,