The Brookhaven leader., 1884-10-30
CURIOUS ANTIPATHIEs IN HORSES

Exclusive prdCtco, oHCc pOsScSSeu
horse named Jack, which was cele.
brated for his many peculiarities and his
great sagacity. One of his antipathics
was decided hatred to one particular
melody, the well-known Irish air,
drops of Brandy If any one began
to whistle or hum this air, Jack would
instantly show fight by laying his ears
back, grinding his teeth, biting and
kicking, but always recovering his
good temper when the music ceased.
No other melody or music of any kind
ever affected him; you might whittle oi
sing as long as you liked, provided You
did not attempt the Objectionable Irish
air. One of the DOCTORS nephews anC
Jack were great friends. The lad could
do almost anything with him; but if he
presumed to whistle the Objectionable
melody of Erin, Jack would show his
displeasure by instantly pulling off the
lads cap and biting it sayagely, but
never attempting the smallest personal
injury to the boy himself, and always
exhibiting his love when the sound;
ceased; thus saying, as plainly as 8
horse could say: ave are great friends,
and l love you very much; pray, don'i
make that odious noise, to which l en-
tertain a very strong objection.
Jack had another and very peculiar
antipathy-he never would permit any
thing bulky to be carried by his rider.
This came out for the first time one day
when the doctor was going on visit, and,
having to sleep at his friends. intended
TO take small handbag with him. On
the groom handing this up to the doc
tor, after he was mounted, Jack-who
had been an attentive observer of the
whole proceeding by craning his head
round-at once exhibited his strong dis.
pleasure by rearing, kicking, buck.
jumping and jibing-so utterly unlike
his usual steady-going ways, that the
doctor at once OWNED the cause, and
threw the bag down, when Jack became
perfectly quiet and docile; but instantly
however, rc-enacting the same scene,
when the groom once more offered tn,
bag 10 the doctor. The experiment was
repeated several times, and always will
the same singular result; and at length
the attempt was given up, when Jack
trotted off on his journey, showing the
best of tempers throughout, Why h,
should hava exhibited this extraordinary
dislike to carvings small handbag
which was neither large in size nol
heavy in weight, it is impossible even te
guess.
On another occasion the groom, wish
ing to bring home with him a small
sack containing some household requi
site, thought to lay it across the front Of
his saddle; but Jack was too quick ant
too sharp for him. Instantly rearing
and then kicking violently, he threw
the groom off on one side and the OBJ
jectionable burden on the other. After
this, no further attempts were made te
ruffie the customary serenity of Jack's
rather peculiar temper.
The same gentleman also possessed 9
beautiful bay mare called Jenny, re
markable for her sweet temper ant
pretty loving ways. She was grea
favorite with the doctors daughters
and would ''shake hands" when asked
and kiss them in the most engaging
manner, with sort of nibbling mo-
tion Of her black lips up and down the
face. She would follow any one she
liked about the fields, answer to hel
name like dog. and would always
salute any of her favorites on seeing
them with that pretty low hummer
ing" sound SO common with pet horses
but never heard from those subject to
ill-treatmeut. But with all theses graces,
the pretty and interesting Jenny had
several peculiar antipathies, one oi
which was a marked dislike to the sing
ing voice of one particular person, q
lady, q relative of the doctors. This
lady often went to the stable to feed
Jenny with lettuces or apples, and they
were always the best of friends; but SC
sure rs she began to sing anything,
Jenny instantly forgot her good man
ners, lost all propriety, and exhibited
the usual signs of strong equine dis.
pleasure, although she never took the
smallest notice of the singing or whis.
tling of any other person, treating il
apparently with indifference. One day,
as the doctor was driving this lady out
he suggested by way of experiment
that she should begin to, sing. In q
moment, Jenny's 5ears were down
flat, and great kick was de.
livered with hearty goodwill on
to thefront of the carriage; and more
would doubtless have followed. had
not the Lady prudently stopped short in
her vocal efforts; when Jenny was her.
self again, and resumed her usual good
behavior. ~ &" III
Another and very remarkable pecu-
liarity of Jenny's was her unaccount.
able antipathy to the doctors wife. Il
that lady approached her, she would
grind her teeth sayagely. and try to bits
her in the most spiteful manner. What
is perhaps even more singular, she
weaid never, if possible, let the lady
get into the carriage, If she knew it.
Jenny would turn her head. and keep a
lookout behind her, in the drollest man.
ner possible; and the moment she caught
sight of the lady approaching the car.
riage for the purpose of getting in,
jenny would Immediately commence
her troublesome tantrumsof biting and
kicking, So strongly did she object to
drawing her mistress. that more than
once she damaged the carriage with her
powerful heels. 50 that the doctor was
obliged 70 request his wife to approach
fhe carriage from, behind. whilst .
tgrcum lvff Jeures head to prevent