The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-16
CHARACTER IN ANIMALS,
Some OF Them Are Genial and Liberal
Others Cross and Misery.

Some OF Them Are Genial and Liberal.
Others Cross and Misery.
Man too often looks upon the lower
orders as possessed of nothing but sell
fish instincts and impulses and as being
moved by nothing but animal appetites.
He becomes tryant over them and
never for moment dreams that they
justice. A little more observation
would remove this impression.
Who that has been in close contact
with any class of animals but can call
to mind instances OF the exercise of
gratitude. real benevolence. and mag
nanirnity that would do honor to the
noblest human beings?
This is not confined to domestic ami
mails. nor can the exhibition of special
traits be attributed to their association
with man. 1t i a truth which no OBJ
server viii deny that some are quite in
capable of affectionate impulses. They
seem to have sufficient intelligence.
but like most men they are utterly and
entirely selfish. while others are even
morose and vindictire. There is as dis
tinct and characteristic an individual
ity in their natures as in that of human
creatures. It is an interesting exer-
else to study these personal peculiar
tiles even in wild animals. and to de-
tect the human traits which distinguish
each Birds that seek the companion
ship of man exhibit a wide variation in
individuality. 1t is not difficult to OBJ
tain the confidence and trusting faith
of some robins, for instance, while
others are ever suspicious and distrust-
full.
l was once possessed of common
red squirrel that was caught when but
a few days old, and which had the most
charming personal characteristics
imaginable. l never saw in any hu
man being stronger and more marked
individuality than this animal pos
sessed. 1t was as playful as a young
kitten, and delighted in the atten-
tons of anyone of whom it was fond.
1t was as atfectionate and as demon
strative as ever | saw a young child.
1t had withal a merry, playful mis-
chievousness that while it was at times
vexatious made it seem almost human.
1t was allowed to run about the rooms
at will, and it found the most constant
delight in entangling piece of knit
ting or other work, and when de-
tected in attaining some inaccessible
height, then indulging in a chuck
ling kind of chatter. The chess table
could never be set out with the
animal at liberty, but that when
the players became absorbed in the
game and had forgotten all else Jen-
ME would suddenly alight upon the Ia
BILE, scattering rocks and pawns in
every direction, and instantly disap-
pearing up curtain or into some nook
in the book cases. This would be re-
peated as often as the players forgot
their surroundings, until it became
necessary to catch her and shut her up
in her cage. One could not lie down
upon a couch, with a newspaper which
he was reading held aloft over the
head, but that like d lightning flash
Jennie would light upon the paper or
book, and instantly scramble away to
some safe place, where she would abb
solutely chuclzle at the success .of the
scheme. She never gnawed the furni
ture but once, for she never forgot the
punish ment which this brought.
She was subject to likes and dislikes
and every visitor who entered the room
was carefully scrutinized. If it was
lady who was looked upon with favor,
her hair was pretty sure to be pulled
down by the demonstrations of affec-
ton and out of seeming pure love for
good-natured mischief. If, on the other
hand, the visitor was looked upon with
distrust, he could never get near the
animal 1t loved to fondle those who
were it's favorites, and exhibited the
utmost affection for them. Indeed, its
attention sometimes became too intru- |
sive for comfort.
One unluclly day an accident deprived |
poor Jennie of her life, and | obtained /
another, caught at quite as early an i
age and always treated with the same |
kindness and care. / had expected an
other such charming pet, but there was /
no more similarity in disposition |
than there might be between two ut
terly diverse children. The second ami !
every way disagreeable. The first one /
would never under any circumstances /
attempt to bite. while the second wa i
at least always threatening it, forever /
scolding and chattering until at last /
gladly gave it freedom IN the woods (
and obtained a successor
This one was unlike either Of the
others. 1t was not playful or affec
tionate, nor was it perverse or chur-
lish. 1t was a complete exemplifica-
ton of the miser, and its whole char
acter was absorbed in its acquisitive-
ness. It was ever hunting for nuts and |
other things which struck its fancy,
usually articles of food, it which carried
away TO secret place in closet
Occasionally these were taken out by
some member of the family and placed
in another room, for the purpose of
watching the seeming exultation with /
which the squirrel made their discov-
cry. and the enjoyment il appeared 70
take in carrying them away and again
hiding them. It would run back and
forth with such extreme assiduity that
it would tire itself ont and drop pant
ing on the floor. only after a few mo
ments' rest TO recoiEmence the task II
the newly -found treasure were sudden
~ removed during its absence there
would seem TO he the most poignant
disa prominent The animal would for
a time search anxiously for the van
ished wealth. and then il succession
visit the members of the family who
were present and se@ru 10 tsaseech its