A horse is a noble animal, and is made for the service of man. No one
who has tender feelings can bear to see the horse abused. It is wicked
for any one to do so. A horse has a good memory, and he will never
forget a kind master. Jonas Carter is one of those boys who likes to
take care of a horse. His father gave Jonas the whole care of an
excellent animal which he purchased for his own use. Every morning he
would go into the stable to feed and water him. As all the horses in
the neighborhood had names, Jonas gave one to his, and called him Major.
Every time he went into the stable to take care of him, Major would
whine and paw, as if his best friend was coming to see him. Jonas kept
him very clean and nice, so that he was always ready for use at any time
of day. At night he made up his bed of straw, and kept the stable warm
in winter and cool in summer. Major soon found that he was in the hands
of a kind master, and being well fed, and well cleansed, he would often
show how proud and nice he was, by playing with Jonas in the yard. His
young master would often let him loose in the yard, and when Jonas
started to go in, the horse, Major, would follow him to the door, and
when he turned him into the pasture, no one could so well catch him as
Jonas; for every time he took him from the pasture, Jonas would give
him some oats; so when he saw his master coming for him, he remembered
the oats, and would come directly to him. Some horses are very difficult
to bridle, but it was not so with Major. When Jonas came with the
bridle, Major would hold his head down, and take in his bitts, and
appear as docile as a lamb. He well knew that Jonas never drove him
hard, but always used him kindly. Jonas was not a selfish boy; he was
willing to let his friends ride a short distance; and in the picture,
you will see him talking with one of his young friends about his horse.
Now, children, you may be sure that a dumb animal will remember his kind
master; and if ever you own a horse, or drive one which belongs to
another, be sure and treat him kindly. And you will find this rule to
work well among yourselves. Be kind to each other, and to all whom you
meet with, and it will help you along the pleasant path of life, and
secure to you many friends.