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OLD ACQUAINTANCES

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 28, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 17.

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OLD ACQUAINTANCES.

AMONG the visitors in New York during the centennial celebration from the south, was a gentleman on the staff of the governor of Virginia. He had written to a friend to engage a horse for him to ride during his stay in New York. A white horse, proud-stepping and slender-limbed, was selected, and on the morning appointed was led, in company with a coal-black steed, to the spot where the Virginia gentleman and a friend were ready to mount, when, lo! the black horse pawed the ground, shook his head, showed great uneasiness, and altogether behaved so remarkably that he attracted great attention.
“As sure as I live,” said the rider of the white steed to his companion, “you are mounted on Black Diamond, my own old horse!”
“Nonsense!” said the other equestrian. “You wouldn’t know Black Diamond now, and he wouldn’t know you.”
By this time a little throng of spectators had gathered, interested in the scene. Black Diamond’s saddle was taken off, and under it was discovered an old scar, and a little tuft of white hair, which proved his identity beyond a doubt. When his old master mounted him, the horse fairly quivered with delight, and gave a cry of gladness. All through the centennial week there were two happy beings together, a man and a horse, and a horse sometimes shows intelligence so nearly human that one can not but be glad when a great pleasure falls into the life of this faithful friend of man.—Our Dumb Animals.