The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-10
EVIL EQUINE INFLUENCE.

EVIL EQUINE INFLUENCE.
There is something peculiar and mysterious
in the influence exerted by the horse on his
human associates Upon some men his COM
partnership seems to have an elevating if not
refining effect, while others he vulgarizes to
degree that is ruinous to all ambitious plans
for advancement in life-these latter unfortu-
mates being reduced to stratum of society
from which they have the greatest difficulty
in escaping, and can only do so by stunning
their former quadrupedal friends as if the
plague lowered above their stalls. The late
Mr.. Vanderbilt was an instance Of the first
sort. AS every one knows, the millionaire
was extremely fond of fine horses. In in
dulging his fancy, which he did to an extent
few can rival, there was no hint of any moral
or social deterioration as a sequence.
On the contrary, it was conceded
that the great fnancier engaged
in few pursuits so innocent or SO productive
of healthful interest in life as this. It has
never been intimated that any doors, even in
the most exclusive circles were closed to him
on account of his taste in this direction Gen
eral Grant too, is known to have been lover
Of horses; but it is not believed that this fact
initiated against his standing in the world, in
GUS American citizens. Mr.. Robert Bonner is
an enthusiastic friend of horses; but it is not
known that any young man or woman has re-
fused to marry into his family on that ac-
count; nor has any decline been observed in
the moral tone of the thrilling Ledger serials
since the development of the owners taste for
thoroughbreds. Cases of the opposite sort are
to be found on every hand. Mr.. Hulskamp-
Schilling, who married Miss Morosini was
coachman; much of his time was spent in the
company of horses, and. though he seems to
have none Of what are commonly known as
'bad habits, and his bride is suspected Of
having true Italian prediction for macaroni
and garlic, it is declared on all sides that she
has degraded and disgraced herself by
this alliance. Miss Unger, daughter of
another wealthy family, has eloped with
horse-trainer and riding teacher and broken
her fathers heart. 1t is not asserted that the
riding teacher is less intellectual or accom-
plished than the woman in the case, or that
he is, for example, inferior in intelligence to
one of the horse-loving Vanderbilts, but his
association with the animals has been fraught
with i'll results, and he has become despica-
BILE person. 1t is the horse that does it. Long
ago the horse was pronounced .he most intel
ligent and noble of animals and mans
best friend; but there is ieason to
believe the two latter Characterization were
made without due comprehension Of the ma
ture of the beast. The truth seems to be
that he bears grudge against any man who
is not his owner, and does what he can to ruin
him. Does any one believe that had Mr..
Hulskamp-Schilling been the proud possessor
Of, say, Maud g. that he would have been
rated as SO utterly vulgar and beneath the
notice of the impulsive Italian Miss, even
though he slept in the swift-footed mares
STALE There is some reason to suspect that if
the susceptible person who has run away
with Miss Unger had INDUCED in
the pastime Of training his own
horses, and, incidentally, in making
himself agreeable to millionaires' daughters
by teaching them to ride on his steeds he
would not now be set down as coarse villain
1t is unaccountable, this malicious disposition
of the horse to debase the nature and destroy
the reputation of those who associate with
him but are not his owners, while on the man
who has purchased him and spends even more
time in his society than amy other, he exer-
cises what the world is pleased to regard as a
subduing and softening influence. The owner
of Jay -Eye-See or of aforty-dollar family nag
may devote himself to his property without
risk of contamination; but let him engage in
the same occupation when another man holds
the bill of sale in his pocket and his standing
in society is lost. The horse which employs
its malign arts to injure the character and
reputation of an innocent and worthy citizen
on purely mercenary grounds, is no longer
worthy to be called noble animal; he should
be Stunned by all poor and ambitious young
men.
THE clergymen Of Portland, Me. to the
number of twenty-four and embracing all de-
nominations, have begun war on skating
Kinks, and have formally petitioned the mayor
and City Council to revoke all licenses held by
the proprietors of such places of amusement