The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-03-03
Instances OF Moral Sense in Horse.


l have a horse who is now not less
than forty-one years old, and it is pos
sible that he is year or two older;
for thirty eight years ago he was broken
to use. He is at present on the retired
list, only occasionally being called upon
to lend helping shoulder to his younger
colleague; but his intellect is as fresh and
as full of eXpedients 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 sup
ply the phosphates, the necessity of
which to him he knew as well as any
scientist" have seen him, through
crack in a 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 at the bottom. Then
when my head appeared at the window
he instantly gave up his leisurely, luXu-
rious 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 a playful habit of swapping at my
arm when he was harnessed for a drive
Il always talk to horse before starting,
as manner of common politeness). OF
course l never flinched, and his teeth
often grazed my sleeve as he struck
them together. One day, more than a
dozen years ago, he was in rather reCk
less spirits and snapped little too Wig
orously, catching my arm actually in his
jaws. / scarcely felt the bite, but |
was much surprised. The horse, how
ever, showed such unmistakable signs
of regret and distress that l 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 ami
malls affection. What else is the con-
science than knowledge of wrong made
permanent by memory which forbids
the repetition of the wrong? The same
horse once revealed to me the latter
quality in a surprising way. Or tell
ing the story privately find that it is
sometimes. incredulously received; yet |
am sure that no one who cherishes the
proper respect for animals will refuse
1t credence. In the company of friend
l was driving along a country road in a
light open buggy. l paid no attention
to the horse, for he could turn, back, or
execute any other maneuver in harness
we'll without a with driven Holt.
ing at house where my friend wished to
call, | waited for him outside. Pres
emily the horse looked back at me,
twisting his body between the thills
in a singular fashion. l perceived
that he had some communication to
make, and said: What is the matter
now, Benz" Thereupon, by twisting a
little more, he managed to hold up his
right foot, and | saw that the shoe had
been lost. That's right" said l; "you
shall have a new shoe as soon as we
get to the village" He sat down his
foot, and for moment seemed satisfied.
Then the same turning of the head and
twisting of the body were repeated.
What, Ben! is anything else the mat
ter:" l asked. He now lifted up the
lolI hlHu Jool, "HlCn was sui SHou.
was quite at loss to understand him;
and remained silent. He looked back
at me out CT the corner of his eye, and
evidently saw that was puzzled, where
upon he sat down his foot and
seemed to think. Almost Immediately
he lifted it up 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 in
terpreted in any other way.--Atlanttc
Monthly.