The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-13
A STRANGE HOUSEHOLD PET.

A Shetland Pony Enjoys that Unique Dis
tinction i'm South Bend, Indiana.
Billie Johnson is the only pony in the
world who is a household pet. Billie
Is an imported Shetland pony which
Henry ID. Johnson of South Bend, Ind,
bought 10 years ago for his son Harry,
when the latter was a baby. Billie now
boasts of II years, but he is as frolic-
some as a colt
He has all the privileges usually en-
joyed by a favorite hound, except that
he has never warmed himself at the
fireside or slept on the spare bed. But
Billy comes into the house prancing
gayly up seven pairs of stairs. the
click of. his small hoofs being like hail
on garnet roof.
Naturally he is the banner member
of the circus troupe which holds high
carnival in the childrens bedroom. 1t
is their chief recreation in stormy
weather, and the pony, dogs, cats, pig
cons and babies furnish a fascinating
programme.
As Billie is only As inches high. he
easily stands or sits on an ordinary
chair, with his front feet dangling
against his breast like the hands of
lackadaisical lady. At the word of
command he shakes hands, kisses his
master and plays the corpse to perfec
tion w men the DaD1eS are IN the DdS-
ket saddle he steps softly, evidently APP
preciating the helplessness of his pre-
cious load. But when the older boys
get upon his back he jumps, kicks and
frolics like a stiff-legged bronco. enjoy
ing the fun as keenly as his rider. He
readily becomes the foundation of an
animal pyramid, lying fiat on the
ground, while Sir Eldred, a splendid St.
Bernard, lies atop him. The cap stones
are Penny and Dott, two tiny blooded
black and tans, weighing 25 ounces
each Billie and Sir Eldred sleep in
the same STALL and when turned out
in the pasture the two frolic together
like playful puppies.
Mr.. Johnson has a passion for pets,
and raised the famous st. Bernard,
Major Mckinley, the largest dog ever
known, which was owned by General
Joseph Terrence of Chicago. He keeps
a large flock of homing pigeons, some
of which have flown 500 miles.
During Mr.. Johnsons recent illness in
Chicago hospital two of the pigeons
were kept busy bringing messages from
the invalid. They made the fight of
So miles in an hour and 10 minutes.
When Mr.. Johnson first took the pair
to Chicago the male bird was five hours
and half returning home, and his
mate only little over an hour, which
was considered strange, as he was the
faster bird. Mr.. Johnson watched him
the next time he was set free, and saw
him circle for about 10 miles and then
come back to a neighboring chimney
and run his head up and down as birds
do when looking for something. Mr..
Johnson then knew that he was wait
waiting for his companion. Mr.. john
son loosened her and she took straight
line for the chimney, and they flew
joyously away together, showing that
the loyal fellow waited for her on the
previous journey.
Mr.. JohnSon's sons are away at
school and have a cage of pigeons with
them. 1t is a very sweet and Senti-
mental fashion of sending letters, and
although Mr.. Johnsons private messen-
gers distance Uncle Sam in speed, they
do not pose as competitors in the Unit
ed States mail service.