Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-29
Gales arrD SketrRes.
HORSE STORIES.
OLD HATES LOVE OF CIGAR SMOKE AND
GossIP.-ToM KELLER PRISKING BE-
FORE LOOKING GLASS.

GossIP.-ToM KELLER PRINKING BE-
FORE A LOOKING GLASS
On a recent afternoon team stood mar
messed to light wagon in stable IN
Fiffysixih street, near Seventh avenue.
The stable is said to have cost more mon
ey than any other in this country. Its aP-
pearance does not belle the statement.
| The horses were blanketed. They stood
on the clean, matted floor. with their feet
close together and their heads hanging IN
sleepy manner. Three other horses were
browsing in their spacious boxes. An
electric bell struck sharp note. Every
horse in the stable pricked his ears and
seemed imbued with new life. Two
bull dogs jumped in front of the massive
doors that swing on l50-pound hinges.
William, better known as Boston. who
has charge of the horses. remarked.
Here he is"
side door opened, and handsome
man who has grown gray in New York
walked noiselessly in the direction of the
team. The bull dogs bounded playfully
bv his side.
Take of the blankets" said the man.
The blankets were pulled off.
The horses were Edward and young
bav mare. The man stepped to the horses
heads. The mare rubbed her nose slowly
ND and down her masters face, and APP
peared to kiss him. The horse rubbed
his head against his master, also seeming
to kiss him, and then. when he turned
away. snapped with little show of jeal-
ously at the mares neck. Hearing the
rattle of the harness, the man looked
around, remarking, ''He's full of fun"
At the same time he placed pieces of sugar
in each OF the horses mouths.
Mr.. Work, hear you have developed
some remarkable traits in your horses"
Nothing particularly worth speaking
about. | have horses and am kind to
them, and they are fond of me. There's
Dick Swiveller. He had the reputation OF
being cross when l got him. Now see.
Dick," The horse heard the call and en-
deavored to get to his master.
If | should call him when he was hitch
ed to a wagon he would wheel around and
turn the wagon over to get to me. All
have to do when out with Dick and any
body tries to pass us is to let the lines rest
lightly on his back, and away he goes in
the lead. | never urge my horses. That
mare. Regina, hitched with Edward. is
very fast. She is five-year-old. | shall
hold her back until she is six and then
will let her show what she can do"
81 heard that You bad a mare that al
ways Joined in the circle around the fire
and inhaled tobacco smoke over your
shoulders
That was old Kate. Whenever she
heard us talking she would pound away
IN nr hnv opA EinR ennathinr 1noSp If
she was not released. When at liberty
she would walk up and poke her head in
the circle and listen quietly to the CONVEX
sation."
"Do you believe that she understood
anything that was said?"
"She appeared to- think that horses
understand more than most people give
them credit for. Now, there is horse IN
that box yonder that is very fond of the
smoke from cigar. If you were to light
one and go in his box he would place his
head over yours and take in all the smoke
he possibly could. If you were to leave
the box he would follow you as long as
he could get Whit of smoke"
The huge thousand dollar doors opened
silently and the horses started for the road.
II have lived with many men who own
ed horses" said William. "but there goes
the only real horse lover l ever saw.
They follow him all over the place like
children. He is kind to all animals.
One day he saw these bulldogs bounding
over the tan bark in the walking ring on
the other side of the stable. DO they like
to play in there ?" Yes I replied. Then
ALWAYS leave the door open for them,' he
said"
! Mr.. David Bonner is a close observer of
the traits of horses. He believes that
they have way of talking to each
other. and that they often endeavor to
make their thoughts known to men. Mr..
Bonner was great admirer of the intel
| ligence power. speed and endurance of
Rysdyk's Hambletonian, the progenitor
of grand army of trotting horses. He
urged the Importance of making the quail
tiles of the horse known to the world,
taking the preliminary steps himself. The
owner of Hambletonian died worth $780,
900, every dollar of which was made by
the old horse.
IL used to see Ham, as J called him. :"
said Mr.. Bonner. "about once a week
The horse was very affectionate, but he
made no unusual demonstrations except
on particular occasions. At one time
was unable to visit him during a period of
about five weeks. When | called at bis
stable accosted him with. How are YOU,
Ham p The horse came up to me. nod
ding his head and whinnying in the most
joyful manner. Then he rubbed his head
and nose against my breast and shoulders
/ in a friendly way. as much as to say. Il
am very glad to see you after your long
ABSENCE
The popular belief" continued Mr..
Bonner, that Ham was not fast trotter.
is erroneous. have driven him on the
road at a , 80 clip. when he was trotting
just for the love OF the sport, without be-
ing urged"
A trotter named Tom Keller was owned
a few years ago by Mr.. John S. Baker Of
Seneca Falls. Tom was 225 horse in
days when such flyers were scarcer than
they are now. He has won many closely
fought trots throughout the country. The
day before great trot he always became
nervous and high strung. while at other
times he was easy and almost slouchv in
appearance He would walk up to look
ing-glass fastened to the side of his stable
and examine himself deliberately. On
being led from his box Just before the
trot he approached the glass ard SURVEYED