Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-05-10
What DYa the Horse see7

1t has often been said that animals
have a keen and quick appreciation of
anything which partakes of the super.
natural. Whether the whole animal
creation are endowed with this singu.
lar capacity, it is impossible to say
but as regards horses and dogs-if we
are to beAieve the many stories which
are related on the best of authorities
it is certain that these animals have
been the first to recognize and to testi.
fy by their fright and terror that they
are in the presence of something beyond
their ken.
In the following instance a horse ev.
identity saw something claimed to have
been seen also by one occupant of the
vehicle, but unseen by the other. The
peculiar circumstances were related to
the writer by a friend on whose word
he can implicitly rely.
Mr.. s. was farmer owning a large
farm in a beautiful agricultural dis.
trict. His house was q roomy, substan-
tally built place, standing some dis
tance back from the road and ap.
preached by carriage drive Of consid-
cradle length, lined on either side by
/ tall trees. The entrance to this drive
was through gateway on the public
road. One evening Mr.. s. and friend
who was staying with him set out for
neighboring house, a few miles dis
tant, where they were invited to dime.
They drove a fine, spirited horse in a
light dog cart, and arrived at the end
of their journey in half an hour. Dur
ing the drive Mr.. $. experienced sense
Of depression. He knew Of nothing
which would adequately account for H.
and thought that it would wear of be-
fore they reached their destination. His
mother. who lived at a great distance
from him, was i'll, but he was not aware
that there was any cause for alarm on
that account as he fully believed she
would recover. Soon after their arriyal
at the house dinner was served. During
the progress of DINNER the queer"
feeling experienced by Mr.. s, on the
way deepened, aud though he was an
interesting c0nversationalist and a
man of genial manners. tonight he was
unusually quiet and reserved. Try as
he would. he could not shake of the
depres sion which had fastened upon
HIN, and at length the feeling became
so unbearable that he made his excuse
on the plea Of indisPosition and left
Immediately on the conclusion Of the
dinner. Orders were given for the
horse and dog cart TO be brought
around 20 the door, and at $3.50 Mr.. s.
bsde adieu to his hosts, and, accom-
panied by his friend, got into the dog
cart and started for home. The night
was fine, though somewhat dark They
drove home In absolute silence. Moth
ing was heard but the rythmic beat Of
the horses hoofs upon the well paved
roads. At length they reached the OPP
en- gateway leading to the farmhouse.
Just as they entered the gateway, the
horse, always obedient hitherto, stopped
aud refused 90 go forward, at the same
time showing unmistakable signs Of
fear. At this moment, Mr.. s., with
eyes fixed intently on some object right
ahead. stretched out his arm, pointed
in the direction IL his gaze and said
"Tbere Is mother standing therei .
His friend peered into the darkness
but could see nothing. The horse, IN
spite Of cOaXing and urging, still TO
fused 10 move and stood trembling in
every Limb. After ysinly endeavorine
20 get the animal 10 60 on, Mr.. 81
friend got out Of the cart and tax
Ing Che horse BY the bead, led hin
gently past the place. He resumed biz
! scat Ia the dog cart, and the horse
having now apparently got over th'
worst Of its fear. weut as usual up th'
; rest Of the drive 70 the house. Mex
day word came 70 Mr.. 8. that bis moth
er had died at Q o'clock the Pfeviou
A3i