Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-07-07
rug AMERICAN ECLIPSE.
Fsea he ". Z. seiSn ef de 7'imss.

The portrait Of Grey Eagle from which
out engraving il taken, was painted BY
Mr.. Ed. Troye. 10 May, 1871. The horse
was thea staaeingai Equira, the beauli-
fus residence Of Col. Edward Blackburn.
about half way betseen Lexington and
Frankfort. The Colonel is familiarity
known anong bis acquaintances as Uncle
Md, and Is alike celebrated for his en-
thgsiasiIc devotion 10 horses and his ablli-
tyin the discnssionsoi their merits. We
still retain q very vivid recollection Of a
delighttpl day spent at Equira. The Pc
culisr efOquence Of our old friend, on, the
subject Of horses. appears 10 flow as pure
2 and copious as his own fountain FAT the
foot Of The hill" We shall be psrdoned.
! we trust, for introducing here character.
Isle snecdole Of him, a. furnished by an
5Indiana correspondent Of ours. who, We
Wish, would write .oftenef:-
In 1886, party Of KentuckianS, in the
absence Of their fayorite amusement. en-
pioyed day in The ehace. and at lis close,
retreatedtoone Of those princeiy mansions
IN Woodford. where generous welcome.
and good cheer, too, is never wanting
Henry Clay and Uncle Ned were OF The
party and. as a matter oi course, the con-
yetsaliOn launched out .into a wide field.
The then recent arrival OF American E.
clipse al Uncle Ned's could not fail in.
such company and on such an occasion,
ioIengross large share Of its attention -
Every one present remembered how the
old Kentuckian had exhausted las they
sgPpossd) ihe1snguageIof praise on Whit.
K0sciusko, Sc, and were anxiouslo know
what new idea OF perfection he could coin
fof his new and distinguished yisiter.-
MI. Clay always at some good-nalured
effort 10 enllyep the social circle) resolved
10 hays ain encounter with Uncle Ned aac
began 90 intefrogatory,:
Well. Uncle Ned. you have American
Eclipse and am glad Of il = but am very
fearful il will be out Of your power 10 say
much new in bis praise. You have had
so many hne horses and have said so
much ID their behalf. that your ideas OF
perfection must be nearly exhausted. To
use your own language, Whip was the
faesi horse you ever saw 10 your life
kcsciusko was the bes. Sir AIchy-horse.
and from South Carolina--Goode's Arab
: was the gsyest and finest troiieI Of the
same stock. and from Virginia-Lance
was an own brother To- ARIEL, the bes!
race nag that ever graced the earth since
Adam and Eve were.pfaced ia the garden
Of Eden Now, Uncle Ned, what can
you say new for Eclipse %
= This was asevere shot, and all present
considered Uncle Ned "out on . limb, \
where The hunter chased the. coon-the
jumping off place. awfully siee2il His
friends bad seen him in many tight
place" but here was bis own eloquence
brought into judgment against him -
Every gentleman present seeing Uncle
Nsds apparent embarrassment would
have much preferred that Mr. Clay had
spared his joke. Il was now too late 10
think Of that, sand bis friends mentally ID.
soked 70 his aid that ready wit and repair
tee which had, on thousand similar oc.
casions.. brought him of more than con-
queror. AAll eyes were directed 10 him,
asone Of Uncle Ned's good nstured smiles
lighted up his -eountenance. II was like
ayivid Fash Of lightning on dark and
dreaty night. Al the instant, be rose tot
his feet aud asked the company to 'fillIl
their glasses. The pleasan duty was
performed. and the Woodford farmer had
something new" 10 offer 10 behalf Of the
Northern Champion ofthe Turf. "EctSDss
among korses as Henry clay is amongst
mta {" responded Uncle Ned, amid the
loud Plaadlts Of the company. Harry Of |
the West being the only silent person
present. Probably more delicate and |
we'll timed compliment was never paid 10 |
any man al the festive board. NV intor. /
E.aas was one OF The company, and be
described the effect Of Uncle Ned's short |
speech as electrical. 1t was just like him.
FARMlse.-AWeIl. Sambo, Is your
master . good farinerIn 20 yes, massa,
he berry good farmer; be make two
crops Ia one year" chow is that. Sam.
bp 8 why, be sell ali his hay ia de
tall and make money once den ia de-
spring, he, sell Dc hides Of de cattle dat /
els fos want OBJ de hay. and make money
To WAeoNEks.-Take hogs lard. melt
i over gentle IRE. aud then stir i, ID i,
flour until i becomes a paste. Crease
your wagons o. carriages with ii--and YOU Il
viii never use tar again.
MIcE VS.. SPEARMIrT.-Mice have /,
lnchan aversion 10 the common spearmint. II
hat they viii moi approach crib Of grana-
y 10 which : few sprigs Of this herb ars
Iisswed.
Rather ! licklishs business. as the
slon ssid ven he hangman noossd him.
II Jssl ior you. - The fingers Of the
9sfer said 70 his nsiEhboF's watch.