The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-05-28

SCAAAC shAA0lCo OCAOiS ! Was aroused from
my stupor by the rafting of a gong and
the clatter Of horses hoofs. They had
"pnched" me and we were on our way
to jail. Pleasant dreams, oh yes, indeed:
well. I certainly was a silly kid but I
knew that for the first time in my life
l was up against 1t and realizing that I
did not have a friend on whom I could
call for assistance with 1000 miles things
looked decidedly blue. A big lump arose
in my throat and to be plain 1 felt as
though l wanted to be back on the
ranch.
The officer gave me orders to move my
carcass out Of the wagon when we had
reached the cAlfbOose and / got down of
course. In passing the nigh horse at
tached to the burry-up wagon in which
had been riding noticed that the ani-
NAL looked like a horse that had been
stolen from our pasture in Nevada some
years ago. Examining more closely
found circle m" brand on the shoulder
OF the horse and I was convinced that II
was none other than "Scip' our old fam
lily horse. My father. previous to his
death spent cOnsidera BILE money in trying
to find "Scip," and we all felt grieved at
his loss When l saw that horse my
heart went out to him as though he were
human. Throwing my arms about the
horse I Rugged his big head as affection
steiy as l would long lost brother. The
police thought me crazy and said as
much but when it was explained to them
alb ut the horse they all seemed interest
ed l requested that they get some SUI
gar which was soon forthcoming as the
men were now more interested with my
horse story than in landing me behind
the bars.
Holding the sugar in my closed hand
and shaking my finger at the horse az
we used to do on the ranch l said, Scrip
you are a good horse, beg and you may
have the sugar"
The dumb animal seemed to understand
and after studying me- moment he
picked up his ears and neighed three
times. "Scip". not only knew that sugar
was near but recognized me. This the
policemen saw by the animals actions
when we started away from him. The
horse, as if afraid he would lose his
friend, made an effort to follow me.
1t seems "Scip" had been, purchased
by the city officials in a horse sale some
years ago He was considered. not only
the smartest animal in the city depart
ment but was the pet of the entire police
force.
When my case came up in court next
morning, the man whom I had knocked
into the gutter and the official who had
melted out similar treatment to me and
was the arresting officer. requested the
court to discharge me. His h 1nor did
SO and asked me to call around and see
him. He also was a friend of the horse
and took liking to me when he learned
that had raised Scrip"
The police boys called me into the pa
troll barn to visit "Scip'' and they never
ceased ia king of ti'at old horse While
l was there. Although the chief of police
showed me every attention possible for
two days nothing could persuade him to
recommend to the city that "scip" be
sold in order that / might get the horse
back again. .....
That horse seemed to know when in
tended leaving and really it seemed to
me tears came to his eyes when stood
to him and said goodbye
know my eyes We're little moist. The
parting with that animal that had BEEN
so faithful to my folks on the ranch and
now had probably saved me from several
dreary weeks in the N W York Jail was as
painful to me as any have ever exper-
fenced.
1t has been my custom to visit the me-
tropolis every year since going there the
first time and I never failed to call on
'Scip' at the police station as long as
he lived. Five years after my first ex-
perience in New Yo~k City I received
letter frcm the chief of police of that city
stating that my old dumb friend had d'ea
while on duty. The message grieved me |
greatly. for during my career as stock
raiser l have never found an animal that I
l took to as I did to the faithful old black
"Scip."