Evening star., 1898-03-12
PETS OF ONE HOUSEHOLD,
Among Them is a Shetland Pony That
Has the Run of the House.
From the Indianap polis Joulral

FROM the Indianapolis Journal
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 fifteen
years ago for his son Harry, when the lat
ter was baby. Billie now boasts of sew
enteen years, but he is as frolicsome as a
colt. He has all the privileges usually en-
joyed by a favorite hound, except that he
has never warmed himself at the firesde
or slept on the spare bed. But Billie comes
into the house, prancing gayly up seven
stairs, the click of his small hoofs being
like hail on garret root
Naturally he is the banner member of the
circus troupe which holds high carnival in
the childrens bed room. 1t is their chief
recreation In stormy weather, and the
pony, dogs, cats, pigeons and babies fur
nlsh a fascinating program.
AS Billie is only forty eight inches high,
he easily stands or sits on an ordinary
chair, with his front feet dangling against
his breast like the hands of a lackadaisical
lady. At the word of command he shakes
them, kisses his master. and plays the
corpse to perfection. When the babies are
In the basket saddle he steps SOFTLY evil
IDENTIFY appreciating the helplessness of his
precious load. But when the older boys
get upon his back he jumps, kicks and frol-
les like stiff-legged broncho, enjoying the
fun as keenly as his riders. He readily be-
comes the foundation of an animal pyra-
mid, lying fiat on the ground, while Sir
Eldrid, a splendid ST. Bernard, lies atop of
MIN. The cap stones are Penny and Dot
two tiny bloOded black and tans weighing
Twenty-Five ounces each. Billie and Sir Ell
drid 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 Nc
ktnley, the largest dog ever known, which
was owned by Gen. Joseph Terrence of
Chicago He keeps large flock of homing
pigeons, some of which have flown 500
miles.
During Mr.. Johnson's recent illness in a
Chicago hospital two of the pigeons were
kept busy bringing messages from the in
valid. They made the flight of eighty-six
miles In an hour and fifteen minutes When
Mr.. johnson first took the pair to Chicago
the male bird was five hours and a half
returning home and his mate only a 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
ten minutes 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 waiting for his companion. Mr. johnson
loosened her and she took straight line
for the chimney, and they flew joyously
away together, showing that the loyal fell
low waited for her on the previous journey.
Mr.. Johnson'S sons are away at school
and have cage of pigeons with them. It
is very sweet and sentimental fashion Of
sending letters, and although Mr.. john
sons private messengers distance Uncle
Sam in speed they do not pose as competi-
tors In the United States mail service.