342 TEACHING THICKS. 



dicated to him as being good, he would allow him to ride 

 as long as he wished, and then to safely slide off behind 

 down to the ground. Then another boy would come who 

 perhaps used tobacco, or had some other vice, when the pony 

 would throw him immediately. Again, if there was a 



sharp political campaign, a 

 democrat and a republican 

 boy would mount him at the 

 same time, and the one who 

 could ride the longer time 

 could declare his party the 

 victor. 



To give something of an 

 idea of the wonderful per- 

 formances of these ponies, 



FIG. 238. Tommy as the gentle pony. . ,, . , 



especially the expertness 



with which Tommy could throw a rider, I give some ex- 

 tracts from the press : - 



" Last night a large number of our leading citizens, by special 

 invitation, were present at Prof. Magner's exhibition on Champlain 

 street. 



" The first exercise was performed with blind Billy, a pony, 

 stone blind. The pony sat down at a word from his master, and 

 walked upright on his hind legs several times around the ring. A 

 hankerchief was thrown down in the ring, and the pony ordered 

 by his master to find it. After walking around a few minutes, 

 the pony came to a stand and seized the article in its mouth. Sev- 

 eral other interesting tricks were performed by this blind pony, 

 but the most laughable scene took place when the spotted wild 

 horse, Tommy, was introduced. He presented every appearance 

 of a wild steed, and ran restively about with distended nostrils and 

 fiery eye, his mane bristling like the quills of a fretful porcupine, 

 but at the approach of his master he became as tame as a lamb. 

 Every one was invited to try their equestrian skill on Tommy, 

 and all who tried were thrown to the ground, tenderly, but in the 

 twinkling of an eye. Mr. Magner offered $100 to any one who 

 would ride Tommy one minute. Several tried, but none were re- 

 warded with success. One ambitious gentleman threw off hat, 

 coat, and vest, and said he ' would be d d if he didn't ride him.' 



