-2-

get because the rope by which he is tied has become caught in a twig or branch. He goes without the grass because he hasn't sense enough to back up two steps and release himself. He would stand there, with grass growing at his feet, and starve to death, if someone didn't come along and give the rope a flip and set him free.

How can any one maintain that the head of a horse contains matter of the least grayish tint, when one of them, attached to a vehicle in which is the kind master he ought to love, will start at a small piece of paper in the road, run for a mile or two, smash the vehicle, injure his master and, perhaps, break his own neck. A horse has not the sense to know that he cannot go through a barb-wire fence without getting hurt.

The horse strikes me as being the only animal that is proud of his slavery. Every other beast of burden is sad or sullen when compelled to work; they all love freedom and independence. But the horse is the ideal lackey; put silver trappings on him, and he will prance around until he drops dead. In this particular there is much more to be admired in the spirit of the mule. A mule will work hard and faithfully, all the while maintaining a thoughtful and dignified attitude toward labor, but if the load exceeds his strength or the distance exceeds his endurance he will stop, and if

-3-

he is then forced, he will kick, kick hard and effectively.

Among domestic animals the most primitive sign of intelligence is affection, the recognition of their masters, a love for those who care for them. In dogs, this trait is so highly developed that it often amounts to a friendship and comradeship that is remarkable. Many dogs that have been taken away have trudged weary miles in order to get back to their old homes and masters; and there are well authenticated instances of some who have died heart-broken on account of being separated from those whom they loved. But this trait seems to be almost entirely lacking in horses; one master seems to suit them about as well as another. Taken all together, the horse is a sleek, handsome, powerful animal having habits which, at times, mislead one to attribute to him great intelligence.

But, perhaps, after all, the man who originated the phrase "horse sense" was a humorist who had the misfortune to be taken seriously. He may have applied the term to a class of men who really have horse sense, and in some unaccountable way the misconstrued and twisted sense gained general currency. From this point of view the phrase has direct and forcible applications; for there are many men who have just horse sense.

-4-

There are fine, handsome, intelligent-looking men who perform certain duties with evidence of reason, judgment and forethought, but who, on investigation and trial, will be found to be mere slaves of routine and habit. Under changed conditions or in an exigency they would be absolutely at a loss. Men who have no originality, no initiative. Men who, though the green grass they wanted grew to their knees, would be unable to get it unless someone came along and took the kinks out of the hitching rope.

And, too, there are men seemingly sound and balanced who will start at the piece of paper in the road. Let them encounter some slight discouragement, some reverse or sorrow; or it may be some sudden good fortune or advancement, and they will run amuck, break the harness, smash the vehicle, injure themselves and, perhaps others.

Then there are men who have the most and most characteristic horse sense. They are those who are ordinary, humble, well-behaved citizens until trappings are put on them. As soon as they are arrayed in some uniform or regalia they begin to prance. The former meek man is transformed into a pompous, self-important personage. These men, in trappings, will do things which, otherwise, would not enter their minds. Under a burn-

"HORSE SENSE."

........

"Horse sense." Whoever was it that had the asinine sense to originate such a phrase. The phrase "horse sense" is on a par with the phrase, "horse laugh;" both express a fiction; both convey ideas which cannot be substantiated by facts. If a horse had, in proportion to his size, the sense of a fox terrier he would prove a formidable rival to man in the management and control of mundane affairs; but, the truth is, leaving size entirely out of consideration, he hasn't as much.

A horse is an intellectual looking animal; that is in his favor; and, at times, he gives evidences of possessing intellect. But if we study those actions of his which seem to be prompted by reason we shall find that they are the result of habit and long drill; and, that he will continue performing them, even though, on occasions, they are unnecessary or a positive source of danger. A horse has only a glimmering of reason, no originality and no initiative. He will stand hitched to a tree, around which grows cool, green, succulent grass, which he wants very badly, but which he does not

-2-

-3-

Among domestic animals the most primitive sign of intelligence is affection, the recognition of their masters, a love for those who care for them. In dogs, this trait is so highly developed that it often amounts to a friendship and comradeship that is remarkable. Many dogs that have been taken away have trudged weary miles in order to get back to their old homes and masters; and there are well authenticated instances of some who have died heart-broken on account of being separated from those whom they loved. But this trait seems to be almost entirely lacking in horses: one master seems to suit them about as well as another. Taken all together, the horse is a sleek, handsome, powerful animal having habits which, at times, mislead one to attribute to him great intelligence.

But, perhaps, after all, the man who originated the phrase "horse sense" was a humorist who had the misfortune to be taken seriously. He may have applied the term to a class of men who really have horse sense, and in some unaccountable way the misconstrued and twisted sense gained general currency. From this point of view the phrase has direct and forcible applications: for there are many men who have just horse sense.

-5-

ing sun with aching head and feet they will march ten
or twelve miles in a parade of the Somethings or Other.
Or they will sit with eyes front for four or five hours
in a hard saddle, straining arms and legs to stay on a
horse, knowing from a former experience that for a week
they will not be able to walk or sit down with comfort.
These are the men in whom horse sense is developed in
the highest degree.

The application of the phrase should be revised.

Corinto,
Nicaragua.
1911.