The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-26
ANIMAL STORIES.
A Blind Rats Guide.

n IOuCulDS SLOry VI rdI COIuo5 lrOIn
Richmansworth. The hero is old and
blind. He lives with his family on a
sewage farm, and since he lost the use of
his eyes he has taken his daily airing
with two of the younger members of his
family. To guard against misadventures
the three go abreast with a piece of
stick in their mouths which the young
sters use as tiller to steer the blind
gentleman with. Thus fortified, the af-
tlicted rat is enabled to take his walks
over his native sewage farm, crossing
planks and eluding dogs, as in the days
of his youth and vigor.-London CIaron
icle.
Knowing Mouse.
An intelligent little mouse lives be
hind the desk in the weighing clerks
apartment at the postoffice scales. Dur.
ing the duty tour of one of the clerks
whose dislikes of mice is scarcely ex-
ceeded by that of a normal school beau
ty, that mouse never shows itself, lest it
should become the target for paper
weight, or to be crushed under the
clerks heel, After certain hour, when
the scales are in charge of clerk who
rather enjoys letting the timid little
creature run up inside the leg of his
trousers, the mouse fearlessly energies
from his dark nook, gathers up the lunch
crumbs, and does just about what it
pleases until the scales begin to bang
Philadelphia Record.
The Horses Power of Scent
There is one perception which horse
possesses to which little attention has
been paid, says TAFT, and that is the
power of scent. With some horses it is
acute, as with the dog; and for the bene-
fit of those who drive at night, such as
ply sicians and others, this knowledge is
invaluable. l never knew it to fail, and
have ridden hundreds of miles of dark
nights. and in consideration of this pow
or OF scent this is my simple advice:
Never check your horse at night, but
give him free head, and you may rest
assured that he will never get off the
road, and he will carry you safe and ex.
peditiously. In regard to the power Of
scent in horse, once knew one of a
pair that was stolen and recovered
mainly by the track being made out by
his mate, and that after he had been alb
sent six or eight hours.
The British Museum Cat.
One of the best known and most pop
ular domestic pets in London is the
British museum cat. 1t is just about
twelve months ago since the animal
which had apparently strayed from some
where, attached itself to the porter's
quarters, facing Great Russell street.
Being large gray, beautifully marked
cat, he was encouraged to remain in
stead of being unceremoniously driven
off, as assuredly would have been his
fate had he been possessed of fewer per-
sonal attractions.
Lately the cat has considerably ex.
tended the sphere of his rambles He
occasionally invades the reading room,
where he receives the attention of a
stroking from even the most reserved
and studious habitues. At night the
animal parades the galleries, and by an
odd fancy seems to prefer the Egyptian
room. where SO many embalmed speci-
mems of his tribe are exhibited
don Letter.
Travelled st. Bernard
A st. Bernard dog whose acquaint-
ance any one might be proud to make
has lately given evidence of unusual
canine intelligence. Once or twice he
has accompanied his master to Newton
vile, the latter riding out on his wheel,
and both returning by rail and getting
off at Huntington Avenue station. The
other day the dog in some way missed
his master in the park and proceeded on
to Newtonville as had been his wont.
Whether he did not enjoy his call, or
perhaps felt anxious about the one who
always looked to his welfare, is uncer
tain, but after waiting a proper time
Mr.. Dog trotted off to the station, jump
ed on the first inward train that stopped
and when it reached Huntington ave-
nue., got off and went home like other
folks. The only thing about the per-
Torrance that reflects discredit on his
dogship is that he didn't buy ticket,