The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-26

to improve in size, cOmpactness of muscle.
in strength of limb in wind, with marked
increase in power of endurance. The trav-
eler here notices the fine horses and their
excellent condition. and the power and en-
durance of those that have considerable
age. The record made on eastern race
courses by horses from California breeding
farms have already attracted attention. It
is also remarked that the eastern horse is
usually improved greatly by sojourn of
season or two on the coast, and the plan of
bringing eastern race horses here for the
winter is already adopted
The superstitiousness Of horses. or rather
their fear OF things they do not understand,
has often been commented upon. The lis
tener saw an amusing instance of it on the
street recently. An excellent and intelli-
Gent-looking horse stood ct the edge of the
sidewalk attached to hitching weight.
just in front of him on the sidewalk was
the iron cover OF the coal hole. Suddenly,
this iron cover began to wave and tip from
side to side. Evidently there had been oc-
casion to open it, and the man being unable
to stir it from above. had gone below and
was pushing underneath. At the first
movement Of the plate the horse jumped,
or to pull at his weight. He simply shook
little and looked at the plate with all his
might. his ears brought nearly to point.
He was all astonishment and con-
ce-ned to see an iEanimate object
apparently endowed with life. The plate
wobbled and lifted again. and once more
the horse jumped. But i'll an instant the
plate lifted clear from the sidewalk nnd3a
mans arm appeared. That was all the as
surance the horse wanted. lie had diScov-
cred the motive power behind the iron plate;
there was no longer any mystery i'll the pro-
ceedings and he subsidized into complete in
difference, looking idly in another direc::
ton. such an incident reveals at once the
intelligence of the horse. and the limita-
tions of his intelligence. A less intelligent
animal would express no wonder at seeing
inanimate things move; more intelligent
one--civilizea man, for instance-under-
stands that human power ID behind such
proceedings, somewhere, and does not even
tremble at the sight Of an animated coal
hole cover, even if he does at the approach
of an electric car.-Boston Transcript.
| As Robert Bonner was on his way up
| town one day recently New York Sun re-
porter met him aud asked him the latest
news about sunol. Mr.. Bonner handed
him the following letter, which he received
a short time before:
| Robert Bonner, Esq.-Dear Sir: Aller-
ton has proved himself the greatest race
| colt yet produced. | am very anxious to
give him the very best possible opportunity
in the stud. which prompts me in making
yon the following proposition: will give
you $4,000 for the use Of your mare, Sunol
to raise a colt by Allerton. It's the opinio,
of the writer that she could be bred in tb.
spring and trot faster next fall than sh,
would were she not bred. An early repl,
will great oblige. Yours truly,
Independence, Ia, Dec. 4. $780,
THAT is the largest price ever heard 0
. for the use of a mare to Breed said tn
famous patron of trotters. but of cours
l have declined, as I would if it wa
$4,000
,, His reply to the enterprising man on til
, plains is RS follows:
Mr.. G. w. Williams-Dear Sir: &c
= mire your pluck. Ten thousand dollars fo
the use of n mare to raise one colt is an ex
ceedinely liberal offer; in fact, as far as
know. an unprecedented offer. but it is M
intention to give Sunol an opportunity, nc
: only next year, but the year following, I
lower her record: and to raise a colt frol
! her would necessarily throw her out
!, training for part of both seasons. As st
!; is only four years and seven months ok
and has already wiped out all tho RECORD
: made by horses and mares of all ages, e.
3 cept the 2:0Ss< of Maud S.. and the 2:lO I
= Jay-Eye See, it seems to me it would be
> pity to handicap her at this early period Z
her career by raising colt fross h.
4 Still, appreciate your very handsca
. offer. coming as it does from the man wi
= raised Axtell. the fastest three-year-old ii
= world has yet seen. Sunoi alone ercepte,
Y Yours truly, RoBERr loNNEp