ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS—EASTON—HAMBURG—LANCASTER—TESTIMONIALS—WESTCHESTER
—DIPLOMA—PHILADELPHIA—CLASS OF 2,523—CANE.
It was now my purpose to pursue my journey eastward, in order to do which
it was necessary for me to cross a wild and mountainous tract of country,
fifty miles in extent; but, inspirited by my success and the good fortune
which hitherto had attended my way, I entered on the journey with a stout
and hopeful heart, attended by my men and horses. Before traveling many
miles we reached the foot of Pokeno Mountain, and as I gazed upon the
distant heights which stood out against the sky, I could see that the
elevation extended a distance of at least ten miles. Up the rough road
and along steep acclivities we pressed on until, when the summit was
reached, I found a keen appetite had been awakened by the mountain air
and exercise, and I sought for some abode of man where we might secure
rest and food for man and beast. Keeping up the search, after a few
miles, I discovered a rude old log house, quite in keeping with the wild
region through which we were passing. Approaching the door, I knocked
for admission, when it was opened by an old veteran of seventy winters,
who invited us to enter. After making known my wants, he assured me that
they should be supplied as best he could, and at once he summoned the
hostess who, though like himself, advanced in years, moved across the
rustic floor with almost youthful agility, manifesting a disposition to
relieve our hunger without delay. We partook of the repast she spread
with appetites quickened by the pure mountain air, and, when the meal was
over, after rewarding them for the hospitality they had displayed, we
resumed our journey through dreary solitudes and along the rough mountain
roads until, at length, we reached the city of Easton, in the State of
Pennsylvania.
This beautiful little city is situated near the Delaware River, and is an
enterprising and flourishing place. The inhabitants are chiefly Germans,
or descendants from that stock. Here we pitched our tent and met with
good success, my class numbering over one hundred persons.
From Easton we continued our journey, through valleys and over hills,
reaching Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, quite late in the
evening; the silver moon shedding her light upon us as we moved along,
made our journey pleasant and lighted our way to the city. Here again
we planted our stakes, pitched our tent and announced our intention of
giving a public exhibition and of imparting instruction to those who
desired, and once more I met with a hearty response from the public. It
was at the time of the annual State Fair, and thousands from all parts
of the commonwealth had gathered. Taking advantage of the occasion
to display the results of my system of training, I built a platform,
elevated about ten feet above the ground, led my horses up a rude stairs,
made for the occasion, and exhibited my trained animals to the gaze and
admiration of thousands of wondering spectators. Here I formed a class
of over one hundred and fifty.
My next effort was made at Lancaster, a city of no small magnitude or
interest, as I there formed a class of nearly two hundred, the major
portion of whom were Germans, or of German descent. On the last day of my
stay in that city I received a testimonial from a leading banker of the
place, which I give below:
LANCASTER, PA., _October 16, 1869_.
PROF. O. S. PRATT:
_Dear Sir_: I take pleasure in testifying to the success of
your system of controlling vicious horses as applied to my
colt. Since you handled and drove him without backing-strap,
I have driven him twice without his showing the least fear or
disposition to return to his dangerous habit of kicking.
I believe you have perfectly taught him to work without
kicking, and that he will not forget the impression your
treatment made on him. Your system is so easily learned and
can be so quickly applied, that it is the owner’s fault if his
balky, runaway, or kicking horse, ever forgets what you, _or
any member of your class can teach him in half an hour_.
Every one who owns or drives a horse ought to join your class.
Yours,
B. J. MCGRAUN,
President First National Bank.
I next stopped at a nice country town called Westchester, the inhabitants
of which seemed alive to the great cause I had espoused, as my class
there numbered two hundred and fifty. I was happily surprised, just
before leaving, by receiving a diploma which greatly cheered, at the same
time that it stimulated, me to add more and more to my store of knowledge.
Having now had two years’ experience in the practice of my system, my
confidence in it, and its superiority over any other known system, was
so thoroughly established that I had no fear of submitting it to any
test nor of subjecting it to any criticism. I, therefore, decided upon
visiting the great city of Philadelphia. I fortified myself as best
I could, and on the 28th of November, 1869, I made my _debut_ there.
Whatever solicitude I might have felt would have been speedily removed
by the cordial and flattering reception I received from the people of
the Quaker City. One academy being insufficient to accommodate those who
flocked to listen to my instructions, I built a second, and as the time
rolled on and my success constantly enlarged, I felt as if the summit of
my ambition had been almost attained. The limit of time I had fixed for
remaining was one month, but as the end of that period drew near I was
strongly solicited by many friends to extend my visit, to which, as the
interest was daily augmenting, I consented. Month after month passed,
during which time my class was constantly increasing until, by the close
of the fourth month, it had swelled to the number of four thousand eight
hundred and eighty-six members! At the end of that time my preparations
were made to depart, but I was not allowed to leave before receiving the
most conclusive and gratifying evidence of the high estimation which my
system had secured and of the friendship I had been so fortunate as to
win.
The evening of the 21st of February, 1870, had arrived; a free exhibition
of the power and beauty of my system was in progress in the great tent,
when, most unexpectedly to myself, Elmer Ruan Coates, Esq., a well-known
citizen and poet of Philadelphia, entered the ring. This seeming
intrusion on the business of the evening somewhat surprised me, while,
as I turned towards him, every eye in the vast assembly was fixed on the
well-known poet who, cane in hand, advanced towards me. A brief moment
of suspense ensued, during which the question which ran through every
mind was “what does it mean?” Then, amidst the profound silence which
prevailed, Mr. Coates held up to view the magnificent, gold-headed cane
he carried and, in an eloquent address, presented the elaborately-chased
and beautiful testimonial as a memento given by my Philadelphia class.
The gratification which I experienced in this unexpected compliment may
be conceived by my readers but can scarcely be described by my pen.
Mr. Coates began his address by saying that
All nations, in all ages, have delighted to honor the
meritorious. The analytic mind of Greece was promoted to
the Academy and Groves of that classic land while bright
intellects gave their homage as they gathered the gems of
thought and poesy which enriched their varied lore.
The school-boy-quoted Roman, if a victor, passed under the
triumphal arch, bowing to popular plaudits. If a poet, he was
laureated; if philosophic, oratoric, or mechanical, he had
his meed of honor from proper sources. Even the Tartars were
grateful, and Tamerlane, the great Usbeck, was elevated in
proportion to merit.
The American Indian who exhibits military strategy, is chosen
chief _pro merito_, and leads the painted warriors. The
highly-cultured United States never forgets the truly great.
Here the statesmen, poet, orator, lawyer, divine, artist, man
of science or mechanism, is both courted and remunerated. Our
worthy dead live in hearts, monuments, statues, statuettes, and
oil. The living, acting man of the day is recipient of both
newspaper glory and _material_ recognition.
Taking me by the hand, he continued:
My friend, a full consideration of gratitude has timely and
most heartily determined your large class to offer this
El-Dorado-headed cane. Sir, we recognize you as the greatest
equestrian educator in the world. Your humble servant is proud
of his recent acquisition. You have enabled the palsied old man
to ride in safety; you allow the old lady to drive minus the
fear of a broken neck; the young lady or horse-loving master
can now indulge saddle pleasures, knowing the animal thoroughly
subdued by some member of your class.
Every vicious trait a horse can possess is thoroughly cured by
your unequaled skill. You are a practicalist, a utilitarian, an
educator in one of the most necessary and recreative branches
of polite culture. Indeed, a logical lawyer could raise a fine
issue relative to the comparative merits of your skill and that
of the statesman. Disparaging no sphere, I would say that the
live, practical, successful man in any avocation, is the person
we need and the individual we will honor.
Your grateful class, at this date numbering two thousand
five hundred and twenty-three, are of my sentiments, and now
delegate me to tender this beautiful present—not as a _quid pro
quo_, but merely as a memento. My dear sir, I trust it will
be very long ere you require this as a physical staff, but
when that period does come, may it equally subserve the mental
and heart-man and aid in happy retrospect of Philadelphia,
Philadelphians, and your admiring class, a class that mainly
hails you as both a high-toned, social gentleman and _the_
horse educator of the age.
As Mr. Coates closed his address the great tent resounded with applause.
It was an hour and a scene never to be forgotten by me. But as the
applause subsided every eye turned to me for the expected response. I had
received the cane from the hands of the gentleman who had so fittingly
and eloquently presented it, but, as I bowed in acknowledgement, my
heart was too full for many words. The papers of the following day,
in describing the event, spoke of my voice as having been “somewhat
tremulous with emotion,” and it may well have been so, all I could say
was to express the surprise and gratitude I felt as follows: “What!
gentleman, can it be that, after your many kind attentions, I am to
receive a further testimonial of your regard, and another reminder of
pleasant times passed with you—times that certainly I never can forget.
Words cannot express my feelings on this occasion, therefore I sincerely
return you thanks.”
Again the great tent rang with thunders of demonstration, and the affair,
so gratifying to all, terminated amidst feelings so warm and kind that in
one heart, at least, they were almost overpowering. The cane bears the
following inscription: “A tribute to merit. To Professor O. S. Pratt,
from his Philadelphia class, numbering 2,523.”
The cut, which follows, will give but a partial idea of the beauty of
this testimonial, which I prize as much as being expressive of the
friendship I was so happy as to secure, as I value it as a testimony to
the superiority of my system. It will be seen that it is accompanied
by a card, signed by leading members of my class, urging me to revisit
Philadelphia and pledging their aid and influence in making such a visit
successful.
[Illustration: A TRIBUTE OF MERIT TO O.S. PRATT FROM HIS PHILADELPHIA
CLASS 4886
MAYOR FOX, J.W. DREXELL, GEO. W. SIMMONDS, GEN. CADWALLADER.]
PROF. O. S. PRATT, the Horse Educator:
_Dear Sir_: The undersigned, members of your horse educating
school, have learned with deep regret that you are forced, by
various engagements, to leave Philadelphia in a few days. The
knowledge we have received by your lucid and simple system of
educating the horse is invaluable to us and all who have been
pupils in your class. We think that your system of educating
the horse is far superior to any known before. It prevents
cruelty to animals, and is effective in all cases if rightly
applied and persisted in. Your system is as yet far too little
known in Philadelphia. We, therefore, request you to open your
school in Philadelphia again during the fall and winter months,
and we do assure you that we will do our utmost to make your
school a successful one.
By urging you to revisit Philadelphia, we express the wishes of
a great number of our fellow-citizens who are anxious to become
members of your class.
J. W. DREXEL, Banker in Phil., New York and London,
ALBERT FISKE, M. D.,
D. M. FOX, Mayor,
HENRY M. FOX,
LEWIS LADIMUS,
HOOPES & TOWNSEND,
M. BAIRD & CO.,
POWERS & WEIGHTMAN, Chemists,
CHAS. F. GROSHOLZ,
A. L. VANSANT,
W. F. POTTS,
ADAM STEINMETZ,
JOS. E. WERNER,
JAMES DARRACH, M. D.,
JAS. STELWAGON,
WM. CHAPIN, and many others.
Other testimonials I received from individuals, a single one of which is
given below; it is from a well-known gentleman of wealth whose name is as
familiar in business as it is in social circles, W. F. Potts, Esq., and
was addressed to friends of his own:
PHILADELPHIA, _Sept. 14, 1870_.
MESSRS. MORLEY & WHITE,
_Gent’n_: My coachman and myself attended Mr. Pratt’s lectures,
last winter, in this city, and I think it paid me well. I
bought a young horse this spring, as bad a kicker as I ever
saw, and by putting him through a course of _Pratting_ I am
using him every day. I do not know what some persons could do,
but I know what I have done; it is well worth all I paid.
Yours, etc.,
WM. F. POTTS.
I was greatly pleased with the ancient Quaker City as well as its
noble-hearted people. The neatness and quiet pervading so large and
populous a city produce a pleasing effect on the visitor from abroad. The
beautiful parks, with their grand old trees and delightful walks, which
are to be met in all quarters, form a very pleasing feature in that city.
The bright flowers, filling the air with fragrance; the leafy branches
arching over the nicely-arranged walks, with the merry songs of the birds
which sport amidst the foliage, combine to invite the tired pedestrian to
rest his weary feet, as they charm the eye, the ear and sense alike.
To the patriot and the lover of relics of “the times that tried men’s
souls,” when amidst the battle-storm our fathers planted the fair tree
of liberty, Philadelphia offers special attractions, and hours may be
pleasantly and profitably spent in the well-known “Independence Hall.”
Here time seems almost turned back on its track as one stands amidst
the relics of those days of old. We see the very chair once occupied by
him whom we have learned to revere as “the Father of his country”—the
illustrious Washington, and the thoughts are borne backward to the time
when, seated in the chair before us, his hand held the destinies of a
nation in its grasp. Near by we see the pew in which that great man
sat and listened to that gospel whose power and principles controlled
his life. It is taken from the old Gothic church which the General
attended and is preserved amongst the relics of those revolutionary
times. Mementos are there also of the period when the Declaration of
Independence was signed and the eye rests on the autographs of the
illustrious signers. There is also the great bell which rang out the
glorious notes of freedom and on which is inscribed that grandest of
words, “Liberty.” After having became cracked, it was taken down from
its tower and placed on a table in the hall. The National motto, “E
Pluribus Unum,” is arranged in a circle at the top of the bell. But
pleasant as it is to linger amongst these reminiscences of the past,
I must leave the good old Quaker City with the single remark that my
recollections of the place and its people are all of the most pleasant
kind.