The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-10-28
a FRIEND I'M NEED.
BY ROE L. HENDRICk.

When a mature horse goes ugly"
there Is so little hope of reformation
that experienced horsemen make few
or no attempts to bring the animal
back to normal state of mind and
temper. Indeed, 1t is probable that
creature so afflicted Is insane, and
all the more dangerous for that rea-
son. If of little value, the animal
usually falls before rifle bullet; but
an expensive horse is killed only as
last resort, being confined in the
meantime like a raging lion. AS a
matter of fact, of the two the lion is
far more amenable to discipline
The difficulty is to tell when real
ly ugly horse will display all his VIC
iousness. He may appear mild-or,
at least, not savage-for weeks at a
time, and then, without warning,
rush at the first living object within
reach, displaying the ferocity of a
carnivorous animal.
Prince Charley, a Clydesdale be-
longing to the Parker Stock Farm,
cost $4,000 when imported He was
nervous and high spirited, but had
been broken to harness, and for three
years was driven about the adjacent
country, attached to a sulky or dog
cart, as freely as any other horse on
the place. He was not even "skit-
tish;" and although he showed some
excitement when driven close to an
automobile or locomotive, he made no
attempt to run away.
Then he began to grow morose,
sometimes striking or biting at stran-
gers who ventured near him. One
day he was turned for exercise into
the paddock, when he instantly
rushed upon and killed two prize
Southdown sheep thai were feeding
In one corner. The poor animals
were bitten and trampled to death in
n few seconds, the horse squealing
and leaping in a rage as ungovern-
able as it was unprovoled.
-Four men were needed to get him
back into a box stall, and they had
to beat him severely to save their
lives. From that moment no one
could approach him with the slight
est assurance of safety.
When he was in paroxysm of
rage, no ordinary partition could hold
him, so stall of exceptional strength
had to be built. About his exercise
yard ten foot fence was erected, the
exterior gate being a panel of solid
planks, held in place by a steel bar,
or latch, half-inch thick.
All this, however, did not protect
the stock farm employees, who had to
be constantly on their guard when
near the horse. The usual moment
of carelessness came, and David Ba-
ker, one of the helpers, was terribly
bitten and bruised. He was dragged
out alive, but not till Prince Charlie
had been temporarily disabled by a
blow from an iron bar.
few days later the county agent
OF the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals visited the farm,
accompanied by the district attorney.
He told Mr.. Parker fatty that the an
imal must not be beaten again in
such a manner; and advised that,
since he was vicious and dangerous,
tie thing to do was to kill him at
once In some humane manner.
To this proposition the proprietor
demurred. xiii him!" he exclaimed.
why, that horse is worth s500O!
Ill pay all damages, of course; and
I'll see that he isn't abused. We
never lay finger on him, except to
save life. See here, gentlemen; just
notice the precautions taken to pre-
vent him from escaping and doing
any harm outside"
The two officials were shown all
over the place, and were treated very
courteously by Mr.. Parker, who had
persuasive tongue. They left only
half convinced, however; and before
going away, the district attorney said
impressively:
Il appreciate your position, Mr.
Parker, and sympathize with you ur
to a certain point. That horse cost
you $1,000; you think him worth even
more to-day, and you hate to lose SC
much money. But it may prove faI
more expensive to keep than to kill
him. Besides the damages of which
you speak. should he kill a person
as you are known to be fully aware
that he is incurably vicious, you
would be liable to indictment and
trial for manslaughter."