The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-26
Auaerspts yatf1ligeater.
elbow Much Does a Horse Knowa'

ssHow Much Does Horse Know 3"
That was the question I asked Profess.
or Bartholomew, she successful morse
trainer, one afternoon, as l met him IN
the hall where he exhibited his educated
horses. The question may sound like q
vague one, but he answered it promptly
enough.
aAbout as much as the average man
more than great many. You don't be-
2lieye it? Will you give me half an hour
aBut," / objected, "you can teach a
horse certain tricks, which become a
mere matter of habit, and it proves moth
ing of the horses knowledge" ,r
The professor smiled pleasantly. IL
won't argue with you. Wait. Nelliep
A slight scuffling followed in the stalls
at one side of the stage, and a beautiful
little bay mare came trotting up to where
We stood. She stepped beside the Pro.
fessor, and rubbed her head against his
arm caressingly gazing curiously at me
ssBow to the gentleman. Now .lake
hands," the teacher continued as she
nodded her pretty head toward me, and
then lifted her left fore-foot.
s.Is that the right foot Z" asked the
Professor, reproYingly.s -. .
One could actually see q look OF con-
fusion on her Intelligent face as she
! quickly corrected her mistake. ;.
ssNellie is like some children. She
can't seem to distinguish between her
right and left hand said the Professor,
batting her affectionately. S"Now count
one, two, three, ,',,he added Tap, tap,
tap went the iron shod hoof on the stage.
"Good!" said the Professor. "Now get
s the gentleman q. .chairW & -
must confess I thought this was going
little too far. The tricks she had ex'
hibited were ordinary enough; they DIS.
played ,eaHik training but this quiet
request rstEG surprised Sine. IF watched
TO see RAas shse would d6. She trotted
over to the opposite side Of the stage, and
in q few moments returned, bringing 8
chair in her teeth.
aHere." said Professor Bartholomew,
pointing to the place where he wanted me
to sit. .NowSSshe said, p"wait until 1.
bring on the rest of my scholars :" and
he crossed the stage, and put his hand on
The. e.sHinging door which led to the stalls:
Nellie started to follow him.
ssWhy don't yoa-atays with the gentle
man she ss;E qdaisslb without turning
his head. iunt as one awould ,speaksto
child. Nellie turned obediently, and
came back to my side. l must confess
that { felt rather embarrassed, and IN my
confusion hardly knew how, to- treat this
little lady.horse. Suddenly thought OF
somShhanfy.Hh Hhieh IyhadS dSinamy pocket,
and soon xe were getting on rather finely,
eating candy together.aFs! t. ae
In the meantime Professor Bartholo.
new had returned, followed by about
dozen horses, who marched solemnly on
the stage, and ranged themselves along
one side. Then came the exhibition. :,
ItwonM be impossible to- describe all
the performances they went through
marching and counter.marching. dancing
in perfect time to Professor Bartholo-
news whistle, lying down. kneeling,
bowing, jumping-all at the quiet com
.mand Of the teacher. In fact his voice
was so low and gentle that it could hardly
s..bs,calleda command ,it-was more like
suggestion on his part, with which they
complied readily.
One handsome Arabian attracted my
attention; ands the Professor at once
called him over to him.
aHow do you do. Selim?" said the
teacher.
The horse bowed.
stIs that the way you bow in Arabia Z"
Seiim ats once, dropped upon his knees,
and touched his forehead to the floor.
The Professor gave him the signal for
getting up. Then turning 1og 70 me, ne
said:
.sThat is an extremely difficult feat.
For some reason horse hates to doit.'
"Does he understand what you sayfTf
I asked. 49,. -
~, y, Does he not act Fass if he didFp was
the Professors answer. Then he'contin!
ued: s.There is NO doubt that the horses
Understand, every word I say to them. i
could SEE, no reason Why # q horse can
comprehend the meaning of Whoa
.G'long;2 .Huddup,' he could not learn
more, So I BEGAN TO: teach two or three,
snd soon had this school around me-"
So &C. 81 notice you speak in such Q low tone,
while so many who have to do with hor-
ses seem to think it necessary. to yell at
thestopiof their lungs sssS :.
asA horse is not deaf Z his hearing is
more acute than mans, and yelling at
him only tends to make him harder'to
manage. You eau lay it down as a Ger.
tain rule that the louder man shouts at
a horse, the less he knows about horses.
But then half the men who have charge
Of horses now should be made to practice
ten years on clothes-horse before they
are allowed to touch live one. ,r.
elbow do you manage to teach them
so much ?" / asked.
The Professor smiled. "Auy one with
patience can train horses, aud almost any
horse can be trained. The trouble is
that most people have but very little
patience, and great many good horses
are spoiled by halfwitted owners who
are not fit to have charge of saw horse"
But the scholars are becoming restlye,
and the Professor said, Schools dimiss:
ed" Each horse left his place, came up
to the Professor, and walked OF the
VNoM hSoiwS 81 Sifiuh much does a'horrsss know S''
said the Professor, turning to me, apd
repeatingsmy own question.
ga great deal more than some men,
for he knows enough to do his duty
cheerfully, and to the best of his ability
answered, promptly, as I took my leave.
-ANan F0rman in Ha,per's Young Peo.
pie.
- The Negro and the Mule.