Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-09-16
Our Family Horse.

Our Family Horse.
One bright spring morning we were
called to the stable to make the ac-
quain tunce of the new colt. The stall
door was opened and there he stood,
the blaclicst little fellow imaginable,
with tiny white star in his forehead.
lie looked at us and we looked at him;
after that for some minutes, both
sides seemed waiting for an introduc-
tion. The colt took shalky step or
two forward, and with raised ears and
many mods cautiously advanced to.
ward us.
Politely the hand of fellowship was
offered him, but he only snelt it and
then commenced chewing the sleeve.
Another hand gave little pat to his
neck, and presently four hands were
strolling and caressing the soft black
coat. From that hour the colt was
claimed as our own, and, indeed, be
became the pet of the household, sub
hitting with much good nature to be-
ing almost killed by kindness.
DAYS passed and that ''crooked-leg
colt strengthened and grew into a
straight-limbcd erect little animal,
racing about the field airing his heels
at the staid old plow-horses, which
clover to gaze after his flying figure
in seeming astonishment and then
quietly resumed their feeding.
We had always looked forward to
the time when Traveller, as we called
him, would be full-grown, shining
black horse, and so it was quite sur
ptise to us to find white hairs among
the black, which increased rapidly
until he was pure white, unmarried by
single speck, the contrast making
more lustrous his big black eyes. We
We're forgetful of the strange fact that
all white horses We're once black colts;
there never was white colt, and il
there were one it would be a world
wide curiosity.
To the younger members of the
family Traveller was an unfailing
source of delight. Possessing, as he
did, n most amiable disposition, they
We're allowed perfect liberty with
him, and frequently he would be seen
galloping about the yard with four
little riders astrtde his back. Some
times there would be tumble, but
Traveller would instantly stop and
stand quietly waiting for them to re-
gain their places.
One of Travellers most prominent
traits was his dislike of being kept
waiting, and one Sunday morning he
undertook to demonstrate it. On
this occasion he was kept standing at
the door waiting for some of the
family to drive him to church. One
carriage had driven off and after
waiting n reasonable time he started
and landed the empty phaeton safe at
his usual stand in front of the church,
having brought it three miles through
| thick woods.
Several years after Traveller had
become a part of the family very
tempting offer was made for him,
and, am sorry to say, he was sold.
When he had departed we began
to miss him; the stable looked
lonesome, the other horses did not
take his place, and that feeling grew
until we begged to have him brought
back; we would do anything-only
give us Traveller!
Through the sympathetic kindness
of his new owners he came back and
met with such al welcome as would
have overwhelmed any other horse,
but he took it quietly with that sad
expression of his, and hanging head.
After his return he became perma'
nent fixture on the farm, for the
steady work of which he proved him.
self invaluable, though seldom ridden
or driven by us. Once l was rash
enough to drive him, and that time
was enough! lie crawled most of the
way, and upon my standing up, the
better to use the persuasive power OF
a whip, he would gallop for few
minutes and then subside into a slow
trot Several times during that drive
he deliberately stopped the phaetor
to scratch his ear with his hind foot, g
feat that / never saw accomplished by
any other animal in harness.
Never was there slower horse thar
Traveler-until he was turned out in
the pasture. Then he was new
creature; with plunge and kick h,
would start on gallop around the
field, with head and tan up, full o.
life and spirits. But If some on,
would approach with bride his heac
would drop, his tail hang dejectedly
and his eyes become dull-the time fol
work had come and he didn't like it.
M.