Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1910-09-16
CHAPTER V
Dr. Gardner Responds 10 a Toast

The Fourth of July! 1t means no
more to other nations than the
Fourth of June or the Fourth of Sep
TENDER; but to us it presents a series
of dissolying views, ranging upward
from the Chinese firecracker eX-
ploding beneath our feet, to the senti-
ments that cluster about the star
spangled banner waving over our
heads.
1t was to be a real Fourth of July
picnic, with a brass band, patriotic
songs, the Declaration of Independ-
ence and a basket luncheon. Holly
hurst was to be represented i'll a
body, SO to speak; all of the family
we're going, including Perez ard So
phronia. Perez had put three seats
in the express wagon, and Don and
Rebekah were to be considered a
span" for the time being Reginald
desired greatly to take Duke, but MIR
Gardner said, mo, Duke must be left
at home for guard"
Hampers of food and bags of grain
for the horses were packed under the
seats, and when they were ready to
start, Reginald said
Now, Duke, l am sorry, but it has
been decreed that you must stay here
and take charge of things. DO you
understand"
Duke looked up earnestly, with
solemn, intelligent eyes. Did he un-
derstand? Poor Duke! The gift of
speech had been denied him! He
could not say that he did, or that he
did not; he could not plead to go with
the party, but when they drove out of
| the yard he looked after them visit
fully, yet made no attempt to follow
Il suppose you think Duke under
stands every word you say" said
Sophronia.
He understands the meaning of it
perfectly" said Reginald. He will
not leave the yard today. We shall
find him at his post when we re-
turn"
Duke knows so much" said Rose;
1T almost seems as though he might
be taught to talk"
IF he could be what a companion
he would make" said Reginald.
They all laughed, and Mrs. Gardner
said:
you might not like him so we'll
Is it not George Elliott who says,
Animals are such agreeable friends
they ask no questions, they pass no
criticisms "
There is something in that" said
her husband with an appreciative
nod. Negative blessings sometimes
contribute as much to our peace of
mind as positive ones"
You all think SO much of your
horses and dogs" said Sophronia,
Il must tell you about one of my
hens. Perez says hens head is too
small to have any brains, but | do
not agree with him
What about the hen, please
asked Rose.
Its about my black hen. She has
a brood of young chickens. The 9TH
er hens and chickens-older ones
step on the little ones and eat up the
] food, so l put her under the wood
house. Yesterday it rained, and the
spout leaked and the water ran in
there. | forgot about the hen for
some time, but when l went out she
was standing on the highest thing
she could find and had her chickens
on her back. The water was all up
around her. She could have flown
higher, but perhaps the chickens
would have fallen off and drowned.
Now do you call that instinct or
brains?"
1T looks very much like the pow
er of reasoning, doesn't it?" replied
Mr. Gardner.
Il have lately read of remark
able instance of intelligence in
bird, said Reginald. "A swallow
ii"h Dulib q uCob III IL OATH, ana d man
looking into it saw one of the young
birds had few horse hairs wound
about its leg He removed the hairs
and then found that the leg was
broken. He put the bird in the nest
and left it. The next day he looked
in and found the leg bandaged as be-
fore. This time he did not interfere
with the bird surgeon. He looked
into the nest occasionally, and in
about two weeks he found that the
hairs were being carefully removed
one by one. When the last hair was
taken off the union Of bone seemed
to be perfect, and very soon the bird
flew away with the others"
Papa, do you think that can be
a true story?" asked Rose
Il read 1t in the American Natur-