The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-07-26
THE ADVANTAGE OF HoULDERs.

| Every one who has ever had a vicious horse
run away with him will appreciate any meth
cd which will enable him to hold on to the
ANIMAL or hold him in, and will view with adj
miration the plain untutored Irishman who
discovered the use Of " the houlders" Not
long since a raw Irishman was recruited for
the United States Army in Mexico, with the
usual promise set for in recruiting rendez-
vous, Of "good treatment, genteel clothing,
medical attendance and seven dollars a
month";" besides quarter section of land,
and various other little emoluments altogeth-
er too numerous to mention. He was drawn
for service in the Light Artillery Battery of
the gallant Major Bragg, and when, being a
fine, stout broth of a boy" he was told that
he must learn to ride OH horseback, he ex-
pressed his ardent preference in favor of rid
ing on tone of them nate little narrow box
cs," Ga caisSon) as he was hard case on a
horse, never having bestrod any thing nearer
horse than a pig, in Ould Ireland The
preference of recruit is scarcely ever con-
suited, and as the grave-digger in Hamlet
remarks to his fellow when explaining the
meaning of suicide, I" it is pM he nil lie, he
goes "-as his commanding officer desires
! When Pat had been put through the man
the casson horses, and the battery was taken
out to drill. He was horribly frightened, but
managed to keep his seat pretty well through
all the drill, but just as they were returning
home the command "trot v' was given. Now,
Pats horse having his head turned home
ward, began to grow little rampant and
commenced a series of caricoles very alarm.
ing to his raw-rder-raw in more than one
sense of the word.
Hold on to that horse there !" shouted
Major Bragg.
"Shure, captain, am moulding on to the
baiste p replied the recruit.
Still the horse grew more and more ram.
pant and FESTIVE, and began plunging, rear
ing and dashing ahead furiously, when the
Major rode up and discovered that Paddy
had driven his spurs into the animals side
rowel deep, and was clingng on by them.
"Take those spurs out of your horse, you
scoundrelp' roared the Major; which order
was Immediately obeyed, but the horse, find
ing himself relieved and his rein growing
Stacker as his rider bounded up and down in
his saddle like an Indian rubber ball, started
off at a swimming pace, the other horse ca
gerly keeping up with him. AT last, poor
Pat, unable to curb the fiery animal, or keep
his seat, was pitched oil and fell between the
horses upon the pole of the caisson, TO which
he chung with desperate energy till the ami
mos stopped at their own quarters, when he
was released more dead than alive.
ooh! captain, captain" said he reproach-
fully, "you'v nigh been the death of me p
al" said the Major. al! why didn't you
hold on, you block, head ?"
"Why didn't hould on? Oh, captain
sure you knows yourself 1 couldn't hould OF
without the houlderS!' replied Pat sorrow
fully.
"Houlders What the devil do you meal
by the houders ?" inquired the Major.
"What do mean by 'em !" inquired Pat
"why what else would l mean but these IT'LL
jimmy things on my heels here! What elsC
would they be for but to hould on with, PC
like to know"
Poor Pats misapplcation of the spur near
ly cost him his life, but learned him a severe
lesson, and now he solcmnly declares "devi
boulder can you get on my heels in thi
blessed world."-N o. Picayune.