Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-07
CUTE BABY BUNTING.
A LITTLE MARE THAT CAN 90
SOME BIG TRICKS.


mare. weighing the surprising amount of
ninety pounds and standing just thirty-two
inches high.
The little mae first saw the light of day in
Hong Kong, where she was born from
American part rtnts, who were full blooded
Plymouth stock, and, strange to say, full
grown and as large as an ordinary horse.
Soon after her arrival the little offspring took
sudden dislike to growing, and for the past
six years has re ma ined in her babyhood form
with the exception Of a few teeth. Her name
also declined to grow, and it is now no longer
than when she was born. At the age of
years the little mare was brought to America
and presented u New York policeman She
had experienced very rough passage, and it
was thought tlat she would not live long.
The policeman had several children, how
ever, and it was through their kind and ten
der nursing that Baby Bunting still wears
shoes today. The blue coated official was
often offered almost fabulous prices for the
horse by rich men and dime museum freak
hunters, but his children were always given
the right Of decision in this question, and of
course Baby Bunting, as they christened her,
did not go.
AT The TRAINING SCHOOL.
He conceived the idea of having the minia-
ture mare trained for the ring The plan
was talked over, and the children thought it
would be jolly fun Baby Bunting was
therefore turned over to DIR. B. w. Hill, a
horse trainer of Jersey City. A World re
porter visited the stables at Fourth and Hen
derson Streets Jersey City. and saw the little
animal go through her tricks and learn some
new ones. As the reporter entered, an at
tsndant was bisily engaged in bathing the
legs Of the mare and cleaning her nicely.
The doctor explained that they always did
this, because wi en- horse feels nice and clean
it will 60 throu yh the tasks with much less
obstinacy. After the toilet had been con-
cluded the doctor went to the far end Of the
stable and said:
Baby, come herei"
The little an NAL answered with alacrity,
and while she atfectionately rubbed her nose
against his knee the trainer explained his
method of teaching.
I'm the first place." said he, ''when take
an animal to tain l always take a day or
two to study it temper and actions. If |
find it is obliging and quiet have an easy
task, but if it i at all vicious, have to sub
due it and geti into the right state of mind
No, rarely use a whip, although always
carry one to brisk up an animals movements
when it falls into sluggish mood I have
learned by experience that kindness is the
only way that difficult feats can be taught to
animals. OF course, might beat them into
doing the trick but they would soon forget
it, and would fail to perform unless compelled
to do so with til aid of the lash The horse
has a memory equal to that of a human be-
ing, and when once taught by kind methods
it viii never forget. Well, Baby" said he,
turning to his charge, do you want to 60
through your tricksl"
The little mare looked up and then com.
menced to nod 1er head, which plainly indi-
Gated Yes
'Do you like the girlsr' This time the
little head was shaken savagely from side To
side, decided NO" Several other ques-
tions were also propoundcd to the animal
who answered them appropriately.
"Of course, :" said the doctor, "the creature
does not yet know what am asking her, but
she will come pr city near to doing SO in time.
The reason she 1ods is because make her do
So When l want her to answer Yes /
gently rub her foreleG, and she never fails to
reply. When NO is wanted, l place my
hand on the back of her head near her neck
and after few quick passes she responds.
Both of these movements of mine are secrets,
and they are never noticed by an audience,
who think that ] am fondling the horse See
if you can do il"
The reporter tried the two motions over
and over again, while all sorts of questions
were propounde1, but the little animal re-
manned stoical and would not be induced to
move her head. 1t was indeed secret.
MARVELLOUS INTELLIGENCE
Now, Baby" said the trainer, ''get down
on your knees ar d say your prayers" As he
said this he gent y touched the knees Of the
pet, who soon dropped down with her nose on
the floor ''Amep !" cried the doctor, and Baby
quickly rose Hs then started her across the
stable and touched her knee again with the
whip. OF courss she held that foot up and
walked lame Then he took the whip away
and made her do it alone.
Baby, lie down and make believe you're
dead" commanded the trainer The Baby
been learned only the day before she was
some time in complying with the request.
She finally got down and stretched out her
head at full leng Ii and closed hereyes The
doctor then walk ed off and said he was going
to call dead gon for her. Then he said
he was going to get policeman to shoot her,
but she would not move. Suddenly he cried,
''Ths barn is on irer At this the little one
jumped quickly to her feet and, after run
ming about the stable and finding there was
no fire. returned to the spot and dropped
down again The doctor then went to her
and said, Baby if you are alive, roll over
on the other side and then get up" The lit
tie mare did SO and quickly regained her feet.
Baby Bunting vas then taught a new trick,
which is one of the hardest for a horse to
learn. 1t was to hold dinner bell in her
mouth and to ring it when so commanded.
At first she would not close her teeth at all
but after great deal of patience on the
part of the doctor she managed to keep her
teeth closed Then the doctor placed his
hand on her heal, and by simply scratching
it a little Baby siook her head and rang the
bell. The doctor then lay down on his back,
and calling Baby to him commanded her
to walk over him This she did, trembling
in every limb for fear of injuring him. II
she had fallen on him he would not have
been hurt-New York World.
500 Reward.
We win pay the above reward for any
case of liver cnmplaint. dyapepeia. aick