The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-02
PETS or ONE HOUSEHOLD.
Among Them IL n shetland Pony That Has the
Fun OF the House.
From The indianapolis Journal.

FROM ~ 'ifAlN tbi4a OHINht
billie Johnson il the only pony in the world
| Shetland pony which Henry d.. johnson of South
Bend. Ind. bought fifteen years ago for his son
Harry. when tho latter was II haby. Billie now
boasts of seventeen years, but he is as frollc,
| some ASH colt. lie has all the privileges usually
| enjoyed by II favorito hound, except that he has
never warmed himself at the tircside or slept on
| the spare he'd. But Billie comes into the house
| prancing gayly up seven stairs, the click OF
his small hoofs being like hail on n garnet roof.
Natura iy he is the banner member Of the cir.
| Gus troupe which holds high carnia! IN the chill
| drcn's bedroom. 1t is their chief recreation in
stormy weather GHd Inc pony, dogs. cats, pig
cons, and babies furnish a fascinating pro.
| GrHmmc.
IS Billie Il oniy fug:y-cight. inches high, he
easily stands Or sits on an ordinary chair, with
his front feet d]unEI.Hg against his breast like
| the hands Of a lat:mdHisicnl lady. a: the word
| Of command he shakes hands, kisscs His master,
end plays tho CORPSE 10 perfection. When the
| haOics arc in the Nt,k1t saddle he steps softly,
| precious load. But when The older boys Ect
| upon his hack he jumps, kicks. and fro.icS like
~ as his riders. ~ readily becomes the foun.
dation, Of az, animal p{tA,Wlid, lying flni on Illc
ground while sHT hidTif, n GplGndid 81. Der
hard, lica atop o. him. Tic CAP stones are Pen.
ny and Dot. two tiny hloOdcd black aud tam,
Weighing twenty-five ulh"Ci each. Blll.c ana
st. Eldrid sleep in tho same stall. and whcR
.urrcl out IN he pasture tHc two frolic together
Ike rlnyiuI puppies.
MIR. johnson 'as n passion for pct, and raised
the famous ~. Bernard, Major Mckinley, Tho
largest ID. cycr known, which Was owned by
Gen. Joseph Terrence OF Chi ago. lie keeps u
laTgo foek Of hnming pigeon. some Of which
have ilG'yn 500 wilct.
During Mr.. johnson's recent illness in IA Chi
CacO hospital two OF he pigeons wore kept busy
bringing ime.sAEc5 from tho invalid. They
made tho !iiGht al CightY.siG miles In an hOur
and fifteen minutes. Whom Mr.. Johnson first
took the pair 10 chicago The male bird was live
hours aud n half returning home and his mate
only II itTtle over an hour, which was cOnsid-
crch strange. ~ he was the faster bird. Mr..
johnson watched him the next time he was got
free, and saw him circle for Ab lUt ton minutes
and then come back tn a Icighhorlng rhimn v
and run his head mp and down as birds do when
| looking for something. MIR. Johnson then knew
that he was waiting for his companion. Mr..
Johnson louseucd her ana she took a straight
line for the chimney. and they tiow ~jOyouSly
away together, showing that tho loyal ( How
waited for her ON tho previous journey.
Mr.. .JOhnsDn'B son are AWAY AT school and
| have a rage of pigeons with them. IL Is n very
| sweet aud sentimental fashion OF sending let
tiers, and although MIR. JOhnsOn's private mos
scngers distance Uncle sam In speed they do
not pose as competitors in the United States
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