The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-04-24
ANIMALS AND MUSIC.
a Horse That Liked to Listen to a Lively
Tune,

There was beautiful horse Con my
fathers farm) the pride and delight of
us all; but, like many others, he had an
unconquerable dislike to be caught.
My father had SO trained him to obedi-
ence that he gave very little trouble; a
whistle and wave of the hand and
Robert would come to be saddled. But
if left to our old gardener, Willy, he
would lead him chase, generally end
ing in defeat. One very hot summer
day was sitting at work in the gar
den, when Willy appeared streaming
with perspiration.
What is the matter, WHIP"
Matter enough, miss. There's that
Robert, the uncanny beast; he won't
be caught all can do or say. I've
given him corn and one of the best
pears off the tree, but he's too deep for
me; he snatched the pear. kicked up his
heels, and of he is, laughing at me at
the bottom of the meadow"
was very sorry for the old man, but
| did not clearly see how to catch the
delinquent. I could well believe he
was laughing at our old friend, for he
was a curious animal.
well, Willy. what will l do? He
won't let me catch him, you know"
"Ay, but, miss, if you will only go in
and begin toon on the peauner, cook
says he will come up to the fence and
hearken to you, for he is always adding
that; and maybe can slip behind and
cotch him."
went in at once, not expecting my
stratagem to succeed. But in a few
minutes the sauCy creature was stand
ing quietly listening while 1 played
Scots Wha Haze WI Wallace Bled."
The halter was soon around his neck,
and he went away to be harnessed,
quite happy and contented.
There was great popularity about
his taste for music. He would never
stay to listen to plaintive song. 1
soon observed this. If l played "Scots
Wha Haze" he would listen, well pleased.
If changed the measure and express
sion. playing the same air plaintively,
as. for instance, in the Land O. the
Leal." he would toss his head and walk
away, as if to say, That's no sort of
music" Changing to something mar
tial, he would return and listen to me.
In this respect he entirely differed
from a wonderful cow we had. She
had an awful temper. Old Willy used
to say: "She is the most contrariest
beast under the sum-" If she were in
one of her ill-humors it was with the
greatest difficulty she could be milked.
She never would go with the other
cows at milking time. Nancy be
milked with them! That was thing
not to be thought Of She liked the
cook, and when not too busy cook
would manage Miss Nancy. But if she
were not very careful, up would go
Miss Nancy's foot, and over would go
the milk pail and its precious contents.
When the cook MIXED her it was al
ways close to the fence, near the draw
ing-room. If were playing she would
stand perfectly still, yielding her milk
without any trouble, and would remain
until l ceased. AS long as / played
plaintive music-"The Land O. the
Leal," Home, Sweet Home" robin
Adair," any sweet, tender air. she
seemed entranced. l have tried her,
and changed to martial music, where
upon she Invariably walked away.
L was sitting in the drawing-room
one evening, singing to mamma. 1t
was double room, with folding doors.
She was in one where there was lamp.
In my room, which was unhghted, the
window was open, and close to the
window was stand Tor music. When
l ceased playing l heard a peculiar
sound, and was conscious there was
something in the room. | called for a
light. There, sitting on the stand was
4 large white owl. He looked far less
surprised than we did. In minute or
two he stepped quietly out of the win
dow and flew away. After that we did
not leave the lower sash open; but the
owl still came and sat upon the stone
outside listening. - Chambers Journal.