EGBERTS HOESE. 441 



the experiment, I was accompanied by the Butterfield 

 brothers, one of them proprietor of a large livery stable, 

 the other better known as General Butterfield, Mr. Golden, 

 a well-known merchant and horseman, and the reporters of 

 the Telegrajoh and Utica Herald, to Mr. Roberts' residence 

 in the upper part of the city. 



When these gentlemen saw the vicious character of the 

 horse, fearing I would get injured and they censured for it, 

 they unanimously requested that I would have nothing to do 

 with him, saying that if I would not, they would do all they 

 could to help me form a class. I told them to borrow no 

 trouble about me, to keep out of my way ; that the 

 experiment must now be made, and I would take care of 

 myself. I was fortunately able to get the horse out of his 

 stall without serious difficulty, and into a small yard or open 

 wagon house, on one side of which was a loft or haymow, 

 where the gentlemen named seated themselves, beyond the 

 reach of possible harm. It is necessary to explain here 

 that at this time I had no well-defined theory of manage- 

 ment, simply doing the best I could to adapt my efforts to 

 the control of such cases as were brought me for experi- 

 ment. Usually I succeeded fairly, sometimes quite flatter- 

 ingly, though not unfrequently, when compelled to take 

 some exceptionally bad case, I made more or less failure. 



I had repeatedly heard of this case, but was cautioned 

 by friends to have nothing to do with him. But having a 

 desire to see the horse, and not knowing just how to pro- 

 ceed, I was betrayed into the promise of taking him in 

 hand ; and once starting in the matter, I was bound to go 

 through at all hazards. Still I made no special preparations, 

 and in fact had with me but a simple War Bridle cord. 

 Having the horse out in the yard, as stated, controlled by 

 two long ropes fastened to his bridle and held by myself 

 and assistant, the question arose in my mind. What shall 



