The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-23

ICED by the average naturalist. but 10
their language, their inner, hves--in-
deed, to their psychological prompt
ings. And l have made Il speciality OF
the horse. You have doubtless noticed
that horse Is almost constantly work
ing his lips while engaged at labor or
while resting, and 1t occurred to me
that, in contrast with the average NOR
tai, this mouth industry must mean
something aside from mere convui-
sive instinct. 1t does--it is sign lang
uage. and l have mastered 1t. ] take
many walks among the horses, ana !
will now set forth the result OF my
latest stroll"
Then the professor proceeded with
the following recital, which. with the
exception of the technical wording SO
dear to the specialist is an exact re-
production:
A number of horses stood In a north
side car barn. About the place was an
air of dilapidat ton. In appearance the
horses were not only tired and sadly
worm but seemed to be depressed by "a
spiritual WEAKNESS.
"well." said the Iron Gray. bowling
somewhat stifIiy to the Old Roam, "how
do you feel this morning.
~ am hardly boisterous. though
can't complain of overwork." Old Roaa,
answered, laZily lashing at a fly that
buzzed about his hooks.
"Rut rather of neglect" Iron Gray
suggested Il know how you feel; l
know that You would rather have at
tention paid you, even though 1t might
involve an imposition Of labor, for there
is always some satisfaction in feeiins
that one is useful"
Old Roam sighed dstressfully, reached
around and sadly bit himself in the
flank Yes he said. "for the knowl-
edge that YOU are a factor in the move
ment of the world gives more pleasure.
even though attended by slavery, than
could possibly be CLEANED from free-
dom which means neglect. What was
that you were about to tel! me this
morning when that mule broke in upon
u.s.
"Oh. something told me by one Of the
oldest and wisest horses in the town
lie has learned to understand many
OF the disagreeable sounds made by
man, and the other day he heard two
men talking on the front platform OF Il
cruss-town car. One of the men seemed
to be much Interested in discoursing
upon a horseless carriage race Set forth
by the Times-Herald. 1t is to take
place OF the Sheridantroad."
"A horseiess carriage race, did you
say
"Yes. carriages without horses"
"You mean bicycle race"
No. mean just what l say"
For long time the Old Roam was
silent and meditative. And then the
troublous play of his countenance,
the movemen; of his lips was so rapid
that the professor was not able to catch
his eXclamations, but ii was plain that
his emotion was strong, He strove to
calm his agitation, for being a horse
ne had horse sense. but Ii was some
time before he could with proper dig
nifty express himself. Finally he said:
THAT settles 1t"
Settles what?' Iron Gray asked.
Settles us-our race. 1 am not given
TO light expression Of opinion. While
others were talking l have remained
silent-not that I was lacking in infor-
nation, but because that I have ever
held that those problems which most
concern the horse race must be dis
cussed with slowness and gravity. /
also understand many of the queer
noises made by man, and remember
once that I stood outside a playhouse
at night and heard great voice shout.
a horse! A horse! My kingdom for a
horse" But what would be his shout
now? Would he offer to exchange his
kingdom for horse? No.. you would
cycle or horseless carriage"
Iron Gray coughed: "Ah. I see that
you have thought deeply. But are you
wise enough TO forecast the end. and
have you philosophy enough to accept
it?"
"To forecast requires no wisdom"
Roam replied. meditatively w.png his
mouth on the edge Of the trough, land
to accept it implies no philosophy"
Then you think that after awhile
there viii! be no work for horses?"
mo work--it will be all horse play"
But will not sentiment still hover
about us? Will not romance tangle its
long fingers in our mane?'
Old Roam laughed and scratched him
SELF with his hind leg. why, how silly
you are for bright horse. Don't you
know that machinery is knocking out
sentiment? Do you hear of any more
horse and buggy courtsh!ps? All, they
Were the ships that passed in a moonlit
night: thty Were anchored in the harbOr
nf sweet memory, and the waves that
play about them sing a sad song" The
oid horse was silent for few minutes.
striving to wipe his eyes with his tail.
Aftec a tina he continued: 'Courtship
now Is a bicycle race. II is no longer
Intensity of wooing; it is speed, The
by horse, and their old buggy rattles
along the road. They are going to
church. Suddenly from behind comes
a hi vi and past them whiZZes the
daughter and her accepted lover the
young man who won a road race. 7
was once the pet of girl. About my
neck she would put her arms and whis
per her secrets in my ear, and at even
ing she would bring me Jumps of sugar
t.. A. 4.
The other day was standing at a wa
tering trough when the daughter Of
that once charming creature came along
on wheel. oh. that horrid horse
she cried as she whirred past. Why
do they allow these unsightly beasts to
stand about blocking up the road?
Yes, for US there appears to be nothing
left but humiliation. and / am thank
full that my grandfather did not live
to see it. He was soldier. and In one
OF the most desperate charges OF the
war; a,fiag futtered above him. Once
1t drooped into his eyes; the hand that
had held it had fallen. But another
hand seized 1t. another form was in
the saddle, and away my grandfather
dashed, wildly and proudly bearing the
glorlfled sentiment Of his country. And
when evening came to spread Its black
shadows over the blood-darkened field,
brave and gentle men stood about my
grandfather to speak words of praise,
TO touch him softly with their hard
ened hands. He lived many years af-
terward and died in the consciousness
that his race was noble. 1t was well.
for had he lived machinery would have
broken his heart. Here comes that
mule again."
How you gettin' laung now?" the
mule asked. bowling with mock polite
ness. Las time I wuz In yere you
'peered ter be griebin' bout suthin.'
"Oh, why don't you learn to talk
horse?" Old Roam asked.
"Whut's datT' The mule jOlted him
self with laugh. II talks like de
IAwd made me. an dats mon you gen.
er1nen does. Ur, huh, huh. Been hold
In vnsao,f shnvo mo or mighty IouuU