Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-20
AnecdOte of a Horse.
BY BAYARD TAYLOR.

BY BAlARD IAh lok'
have a horse who is now not less than
fgty-one years old, and it is possible that
he is n year or two older, for thirty-eight
years ago he was broken TO use. lie is
at present on The retired list, only occa-
sionally being called upon to lend q help
ing shoulder 10 his younger colleague;
but his intellect is as fresh and full OF ex-
pedienis as ever No horse ever knew
better how 10 save himselt, 10 spare ollOrt
aud proong his powers; no oae was
ever so cunning to slip his halter, open
the lecc-5ox. and supply the phosphates.
as we'll as any scientist" have seen
him through n crack in 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 at the bottom. Then,
when my head appeared at the window,
he instantly gave up his lcisurely. luxu-
rous munching OF The grain, opened his
Jaws to their fullest extent, thrust bis
muzz,c deep into the box, AMI gravely
walked back to his stall with at least a
qIlrt of oats in his mouth.
Tnis horse had 4 Pllyfu habit Of snap
plag at my arm when he was hainessed
Tor drive. Ct always talk to horse
before stating, n u matter OF common
p)ltencss O, course never ilinched,
and his teeth often graz9d my sleeve as
be struck them together. One day, more
than a dozen years ago, he was in rather
reckless spirits and snapped little too
vigorously, etching my arm actually Ia
his Avs | scarcely telt the bite, but
was very much surprised. The horse,
however, showed such unmistakable
signs ot regret and distress, that | simply
said, Never do that again ~ and he
never did! Ftom that moment. he gave
up the habit OF years; he laid back his
ears, OF lvigned anger IN other ways, but
he never again made believe To bite
This. certainly, goes TAR beyond the tenn
porary sorrow for an uuintentiona irjury
waich may be referred TO IN animals
affection. What else is conscience than
knowledge OF wrong msde permanent by
memory which lol b.ds the repetition OF
the wrong?
In the company OF frieni, was driy-
in the same horse along a couGtry road
ia a light, op0 buggy. paid no atten-
ton to The horse, for he could turn back,
or execute any other mar TlvEe in har-
ness as well without a. with diver.
Hating at house where my friend wish
ed to call, waited FOR him outside.
Presently the horse looked back at me,
twisting his body between the thills IN a
singular fashion. | perceived that he
had some communication to make, and
said, What IS the mailer now, Ben
Tnereupon, by twisting lit,le more, be
managed TO hold up his right foot. and /
saw that the shoe bad been lost. That's
eight" said |; you shall have new
shoe as soon a. va get 10 the vii age" "
lie sci down his loot, an for moment
seemed satisfied. Then the same turn
ing cl the head aud twisting of the body
were repe Iled. "Wha', Ben! is any thing
else the matter ?n asked. liz now lifted
up the left hiud foot. which was still shod.
| was lite at loss to understand hun,
and remained silent. lie looked back at
me out Of the corner OF bis eye, aud ev-
identity saw that was puzzled, where
upon he set down his foot and seemed to
think. Amos. immedi.;ely he lifted II
up again, and shook it vigorously. The
loose shoe ratified! There vas positive
process OF reasoning iu this act. and 1t is
too simple and clear to be interpreted in
any other way Atlantic Monthly.