The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-05-28
The Family Circle.
fiNN0N'S MARE.


The exploits Of Fannon, the famous
partisan Of Randolph, would make
body Of facts more interesting than any
tale of fiction. He was n reckless fell
low--bloody minded as the hounds of
Hayti. He sometimes slew the help
less and innocent in cold blood-the
coward But he had that instructive
tone and bearing of authority that kept
his people within the metes and bounds
of his own despotic will. lie and his
party were one day resting themselves
by spring lounging here and there on
the grass in the shade Of the trees. One
OF his subordinates, a big stout man, had
got mad with him. His rage had been
boiling in him for several days and
some fresh affront a, the spring eau sed
his anger TO become ungovernable he
drew his sword and rushed Mt his cap
tain, swearing that he would kill him.
Fannon had stretched his slight form on
the sward. and was resting his elbow on
the ground and his hand under his head
His devoted followers were around him,
and he heard the clink Of their locks as
they cooked their rifles. Let him
alone !" cried Fannon, in his quick sharp
tone. He lay still, calm and self pos
essed, with his keen dark eyes fixed on
the raging lieutenant, as he made tre-
mendous plunge at his breast. But
when the stroke came, its object swervcd
away like n snake, and the bafiied man
plunged his sword into the ground
Quick as lightning lannon's sharp
blade passed through his gigantic frame
---"7Hus. and thus, ] punish those who
disregard my authority !" and his eyes
glowed and sparkled like serpents.
The man sank to the earth forever.
But lannon's Mare" is written at
the top Of this sheet and she is the
heroine of this present writing. Achil-
les had his Xanthus and Balius, and
Podarga Alexander had his Bucep-
halus; M'Donald had his Selim.-
Fannon was man Of blood like them,
and like them he had his favorite and
irusiy charger; and lannon's mare was
worthy OF her owner, or seven better
man" lie called her the Red Doe,
fr ON her resemblance in color TO deer
She was rare animal-feei, powerful,
intelligent. docile as q lamb--and her
owner valued her, ] dare say, above
king or country, or the life Of his fellow
man. She bore him proudly and fear
lessly in the bloody skirmish or quick
retreat. When he stood by the noisy
council Of bis partisans, or in the silent
ambush, the faithful brute was by his
side, ever ready 10 bear him whittier
soeyer he would,
Down on the east Of Little River the
partisan and some four or five Of his fol-
lowers one day captured a man by the
name Of Hunter. polite al opponent,
from the country about Salisbury
This was sufficient cause OF death, an d
FAnnon told the man he should han 9
him. Hunter was evidently man u
Ae tunes bat what could be do, alone
/ and defenceless with dozen bitter enc
mics? II was case OF complete des-
peration. The rope was ready, and a
strong oak threw out its convenient
branches Fsnnon told him he nigh,
pray, for bis time had come. The
poor man knel, down, and seemed nh
sorbed in his las, petition TO a throne Of
mercy. Fannon an bis men stood by,
and the TRASHY mare stood among them
with the reins on her neck They be-
gan TO be impatient for the victim 10
close his exercises. But they soon dis
covered there Was more of earth ihan
heaven ia Hunter. ,hOuslas for be
suddenly sprang on fsnboH's mare,
bowed his head oa bsr powerful neck,
pressed his heel. on her hAnks and
dArted away Ike The uiDd
The riaes werc leselsd in a moment
--sShooi high p eried FannoB save
my mars,- The alag. al sl,isfled over
Hunters bach. ssse one that told uhcr-
ring ain lie reeled on The saddle ard
frli s.ck al hear' bui hope Was before
Lim, deAiA behind. ssd Le nsVed BIN
srif fsr the r4ee. osvard be- sped---
Throesh ~oods and fav.nes aud bran
tle. Cd ii,as po~esfal mare carry han
safely and ,vifily. Hs enemies -eFs