What Two Apples Did.


THE other day, I stood looking at a noble

specimen of a horse, who, just at the time,

seemed to be under that influence which, I

believe, belongs alike to horses and humans

obstinacy.

He refused to advance one step at the will

of the driver, who again and again urged him

on. But the horse only turned his head defiantly

round toward the carriage, and said, in

the plainest horse-language, "No, sir; I don't

intend to give up."

His driver dismounted, and took hold of

the bit; but the proud head went up with a

still more defiant jerk, and an air which said,

"I shall fight it out on this line."

The driver, in despair, again takes his seat,

and is vainly urging the obstinate animal,

when a lady steps gracefully forward from a

neighboring house. Her face is a picture of

kindness and good will to all mankind, and

especially to horse kind at this particular

 moment.

In her hand are two apples. She

holds one to the mouth of this obstinate animal.

What horse, with a particle of chivalry

in his nature, could resist such a mode of 

warfare?

Certainly not this one. His lips take

in the delicious morsel, and his obstinacy 

vanishes in a moment. He starts readily; but

the lady evidently believes in finishing the

work thoroughly, and holds out one more to

him. He takes it as gracefully as it is given,

and then with a right good will, and at a right

good pace, starts in the proper direction.

Two apples did that work.




 Our Dumb Animals.




The lesson to be learned from this is, that

we can conquer best by kindness. ED.