The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-02-15
I,etthe reader decide for h;r,.o,,,

Let reader decide for himselfl
have horse who is now not less than
Al wears old, and it is possible that he
is year or two older; for SO years 400
he was broken to use. Heis at present
on the retired list, only occasionally be-
ing called upon to lend a helping shCul-
der to his younger colleague; but his
intellect is as fresh and as full OF ex-
pedients as ever. No horse ever knew
better how to save himself, TO spare
effort and prolong his powers no one
was ever so cunning to slip his halter,
open the feed-box, and supply the
phosphates, the necessity of which to
him he knew as well as any scientist"
1 have seen him through crack in
board shanty used while the stable was
building, lift and lay aside with his
teeth six boxes which were piled atop
Of one another, until he found the oats
ut the bottom. Then, when my head
appeared at the window, he instantly
gave up his leisurely, luxurious MUNICH
ing of the grain, opened his jaws to
their fullest extent, thrust his muzzle
deep into the box, and
gravely walked back to his
stall with at least quart of oats in his
mouth. This horse had play full habit
of swapping at my arm when he was
harnessed for drive. U always talk
to horse before starting, as matter
of politeness.) OF course l never finch
ed, and his teeth often grazed my
sleeve as he struck them together. One
day, more than dozen years ago, he
was in rather reckless spirits and snap
ped little too vigorously, catching my
arm actually il his jaws. l scarcely
felt the bite, but l was very much sur
prised. The horse, however, showed
such unmistakable signs of regret and
distress that simply said, "Never do
that again!" And he never did From
that moment, he gave up the habit of
years; he laid back his ears, or feigned
anger in other ways, but he never again
made believe to bite. This, certainly,
goes far beyond the temporary sorrow
for an unintentional injury which may
be referred to an animals affection.
What else is conscience than knowledge
of wrong made permanent by memory
which forbids the repetition of the
wrong?
CAPABLE OF POSITIVE DEDUCTION.
The same horse once revealed to me
the latter quality in a surprising way.
On telling the story privately, | find
that it is sometimes incredulously re-
ceived; yet am sure that no one who
cherishes the proper respect for ami
mails will refuse it credence. In the
company of friend l was driving
along country road in a light, open
buggy. l paid no attention to the
horse, for he could turn, back, or exc
cute any other maneuver in harness as
well without as with driver. Hating
at house where my friend wished to
call, waited for him outside. Present.
ly the horse looked back at me, twist
ing his body between the thills in q
singular fashion. perceived that he
had some communication to make, and
said: "What is the matter, now,
Benz" Thereupon, by twisting little
more, he managed to hold up his right
hind foot, and saw that the shoe had
been lost. "That's right" said L;
''you shall have q new shoe as soon
as we get to the village" He set down
his foot, and for moment seemed sat
isfed. Then the same turning of the
head and twisting of the body were re-
peated. "What, Ben! is any thing else
the matter?" / asked. He now lifted
up the left hind foot, which was still
shod. l was quite at loss to under
stand him, and remained silent. He
looked back at me out of the corner of
his eye, and evidently saw that l was
puzzled, whereupon he set down his
foot and seemed to think. Almost i'm
mediately he lifted it up again, and
shook it vigorously. The loose shoe
ratified! There was positive process
of reasoning in this act, and it is too
simple and clear to be interpreted in any
other WaV