Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-02-16

have a horse who IL now not less than
forty-one years old, aud it is possible that
ho is year or two older; for thirty-eight
years ago he was broken TO use. lie Is at
present on the retired list, only occasional
ly being called upon to lend helping
shoulder TO his younger colleague; but his
intellect is as fresh and as full of expedi-
ents as ever. No horse ever knew better
how TO save himself TO spare effort, aud
prolong his powers; no one was ever so
cunning TO slip his halter, open the feed
box, and supply the phosphates, the ne
cessity of which to him he knew as well as
any "scientist." have seen him, through
a 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 be found the oats at
the bottom. Then, when my head appear
ed at the window, he instantly gave up his
leisurely, luxurious munching 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 playful habit of swapping at
my arm when no was harnessed for
drive. Il always talk to a horse before
starting, as a matter of common polite
ness.) OF course never flinched, and his
teeth olen grazed my sleeve as he struck
them together. One day, more than
dozen years ago, he was in rather reckless
spirits, and snapped little too vigorously,
catching my arm actually in his jaws. The
hnrun hnt.s 81, 81, ia,
BILE signs OF regret and distress that 1 sim
ply said, "Never do that again ~ And he
never did From that moment he gave
up the habit of years be 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 uninteptional injury which
may be referred 10 an animals affection.
What else is conscience than knowledge of
wrong made permanent by a memory
which forbids the repetition OF the wrong?
The same horse once revealed 10 me the
latter quality in a surprising way. On
telling the story privately find that 1t Is
sometimes incredulously received; yet 1
am sure that no one who cherishes the
proper respect for animals will refuse II
credence. In the company of friend 1
was driving along country road in light
open buggy. 1 paid no attention to the
horse, for he could turn, back, or execute
any other man9uvre in harness as we'll
without as with driver. Hating at a
house where my friend wished TO call, /
waited for him outside. Presently the
horse looked back at me, twisting his body
between the thils in a singular fashion. 1
perceived that he had some communication
10 make, and said, "Wha. is the matter
now, Benz" Thereupon, by twisting a
little more, he managed to hold up his
right hind foot, and l saw that The shoe
had been lost. THAT'S right" said /;
"you shall have new shoe as soon as we
get TO the village" He set down his foot,
and for moment seemed satisfied. Then
the same turning of the head and twisting
ofthe body were repeated. "What Ben
is anything else the matter?" asked. He
now lifted up the left hind foot, which was
still shod. was quite at a loss to under
stand him, and remained silent. He look
cd back at me out of the corner of his eye,
and evidently saw that 1 was puzzled,
whereupon he set down his foot and SEEM
ed TO think. Almost Immediately he lifted
1t up and shook it vigorously. The loose
shoe ratified. There was positive process
of reasoning in this act, and il is too simple
and clear TO be interpreted in any other
way.-Atldntic Monthly.