Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-16
GAZETTE
HORRORS OF HoRsENANsHIP.

Il
happened to 60 last Thursday on a visit to a
friend Of mine, who lives in the country. There
were several guests besides myself. On the
morning after arrived, whilst We were at break.
fast, NJ, whose duty it is to make his house
pleasa nt,asked naIf singing in his burlesque man.
ner the words Of Moore's melody, '.WelI, what
shall be sport to-da.a'' Various pastimes
and methods Of "klling the enemy" were pro.
posed. Some we're rejected, others ratified;
but what was nv alarm, when, upon settling the
''order Of the COURSE" | heard that vas to
form one OF the equestrian party. After had
somewhat recovered the shock which such a
communication was calculated to give me, and
allowed myself time just sufficient to assume the
appearance OF equanlmity, said, in as natural a
manner as the tremulousness of nv voice would
admit Of, My dear NJ, perhaps some of your
friends of the walking party woaId wish 10 ride:
il so, don't, con jure you, pulling him by the
BUTTON don't let me be an impeachment. am a
person very easily pleased-very. Here lsnap.
ped my 6ngers.) Your young brother, see, is
very ANXIOUS to ride; pray DON'T let me-
isit Percy, The lltte'monkey,' said NJ. Hut
tut, man, let hin ride his hobby horse
Il WISH thought |, Il had the hobby horse. ,
No, continued Nj. YOU must be Of the riding
party And he whispered me, Miss l.. is in
our cOterie, and wantlo make you both acguain-
ted;' subjo,ning also. whilst he nsdged me sig
niiicantiy with his elbow, "a man never looks to
such advantage as when IN horse back;' my jaw
dropped in "retched anlicipatIon; and. by the
bye, she Is a beautiful horsew0man, worth your
while TO see her in the saddle
Nov put it to any nervous cavalier who ever
yentured TO place foot in stirrup-.-iet him speak
out fully and honestly could he, when noun.
ted, ever look in any direction, but that which
is rectil,near between his nose and the horses
earsl pause for reply. Diners may be asham.
ed to own it-all can say for myself is, that |
never could deyiate from that straightforward
course Of vision. | always, when riding, feel
as It the centre OF gravity were in my eye, and
that if | looked to one side or the other, should
infalIibIy find myself on Mother Earth.
See her III the saddle-see her in the saddle
said /, IN that absent manner which is the conSe
qaence Of tying to rejon to proposition and to
advise a fresh evasion al the same time. 'Oyes,
beautiful, very personal---very. personal---very.
|-blt-but-I reali feel stupid and dull to-day.
l shall be a complete nuisance to the party-I
shall. indeed :.
My dear fellow. said NJ ,clapping me on the
shoulder, cheer up-I will give you an anti
dote in the shape of Mad Kitty, my young and
favorle fiily, who promise you, will keep you
awake
Don't do any such thng-hem-I mean,
don't give me any Of your valuable horses, -
here tue perspiration broke out over my forehead
- far ! am careless rider said |, gasping:-
might throw /, dpWm--break its kDees--lame II
for iife-consantiy occurs to me, and indeed, ,
here nv voice iatprcd 6 | feel more animated
now do not Thick shall want any stimulus
nav. | am IN high spirits. continued |, in that
disc0rdant tone Ut voice which Is the result Of
constrained junction of terror and dissembled
merrlmeut never was more llyelv,' and
attempted TO chucke and whistle. Half buoy
anuy, half deprecatingly, however. subjoned
you need not mind Mad K iuy.'
Why SAID NJ, somewhat Influenced by his
sociude for his mare, but still anxious for my
supposed comfort and amusement. { you don't
ride the fiily. will have to mount you on the
stupid old coach horse
my dear fellow said catching at the vel.
come sound, Just the thing; the fact is-the
fac, is-except when am riding with hounds-T
am quite Indifferent as To-
=. All, l see,' said NJ, you are true blue
You. real sportsman never cares how he is mount.
ed except when on the sod: but there he
looks for spirit aud fre-well, you shall
come down to me next winter when we
draw the covers. and will put you on horse
that will do you justice. and will not let any man
in the country get the start Of you.'
The party at length-rose Each coter,e, as had
been arranged, began to form for its allotted re.
creation The ladies' were equipped with most
unaccountabe aIacrity, inltheir riding habits
Presently We hear the trampIng Of hoofs, and
the 8. clearing off," which horses general, IN.
dnloa in when leaving the stables; sounds a~ full
to my ears began to get little faint. .Eques.
TRANS. turn out said VI. 'Come,' addressing
me, .have you your spursona You must ~eaF
pair Of scythes on your heels to make Big
Sam 90 on | never treamt Ut wearing those
frishtiul weapons, more fatal in my eyes than
sword or pistol, but really to trauquIze the pal
pitation found rising in my bosom. determin.
ed to accept them. A few moments we're all
that were afforded me for this purpose.
The servant soon Knocked al my chamber door
-.Hurses are waiting SIR | marveIled at his
uuperturbed air. He appeared to mention quite
an ordinary, occurrence Very WE'LL" said l,
Al