Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-06-16
oTTUMWA, IOWA. THURSDAY, JUNE Is, 1853


ing, sometimes with none at all.
AT the end of the week the rain had
ceased, the sun came out, the roads dried
up finely, and our party, with Bell HAM
Iiton, was once more in the saddle.
Can you take fence or di,ch!' ask.
ed Tom of Grace, as they cantered very
slowly along.
Not very high fence, nor very
wide ditch I'm afraid was the answer.
Miss Hamilton thinks nothing of
one OF our jagged worm fences,' said
Tom.
They were now approaching the place
where the girls had prac.ised leaping.
during Toms absence, and as Grace
had her head turned partially back talk
ing to Lucy, Sultan, recollecting his old
lessons, suddenly left the road and took
the fence.
His mistress was unprepared for the
movement, but she never swerved in her
saddle. Tom Morgan was breathless
with astonishment; and Bell cried out,
bravo, bravo at the top of her lungs.
Grace had checked her horse the in
slant ne touched the ground. and he now
stood paving the earth. and tossing his
head as if he haG really done something
worthy of praise.
Wait moment, Miss Stanley, and
III let down the bare for you,' said Mr..
Morgan.
mo, thank you, sir. Sultan came over
for his own pleasure, and now he must
go back for mine,' and caniering short
distance across the field, she turned and
put his head at the fence. The horse
took it beautifully, and this time Tom
Morgan cried, 'bravo,' as well as Bell
Hamilton.
You're a perfect centaur. declare,
Miss Stanley, you look like par, of
your horse said Bell. Bell was not
classical nor NEUROLOGICAL, dear reader,
but she had some knowledge of the GEN.
taurs, of Pegasus, and by the steeds of
the sun.
Now, Miss Stanley, draw your horse
up little said Tom, as they entered
large field. ',here is the widest ditch in
Maryland. i verify believe, at the other
side. We must go at it in a gallop.-
Sultan took that fence so kindly that |
think he con stride it; if aot.' and here
he laughed maliciously. 'you will come
out rather muddy. No danger to bones
though, j, is very soft, / assure you.'
Grace new her horse and herself both
too well TO feel much doubt about clear
ing the ditch, but as she approached i, at
gallop she felt moments hesitation
i! looked TO her almost as wide small
creek. The doubt was fatal, for in her
unwon!ed nervousness she drew up her
horses head and spurrcd him too soon,
and he was ready for the leap three feet
too far from the ditch. He gathered
himself beautifully, however, and sprang
like deer, but instead of clearing the
opposite bank, Sultan's feet stuck in the
mud, about half way up the further side,
and only recovered himself from COM
plete stumble by Grace's firm hand, tho
he had nearly unsea,ed her.
'Splendidly done, by Jove,' called out
Tom, who was safe on terra frma, 'tha.
recovefy showed better horsemanship
shon clear leap could possibly have
DONE
Bell Hamilton came over after them
with as good stride as Toms own; but
Lucy, who was not so adventurous, rode
further down and took the ditch at mar
rover place.
Every day now saw the party gallop-
ing over fields, taking fences and bitches
IN their way, sometimes through thick
woods, with such low hanging branches
that their heads were on their horses
names. Miss Hamilton sometimes
drove over to take Grace out for a .trot,'
as she termed it; carried stop watch,
and felt as much anxiety about the diff
ference between 2-3S and $40, as if a
large purse depended upon it. In ,ha,
one thing she did certainly excel Grace;
she handled the ribbons as dex,erously
as any Jehu in the State.
'Hollo! my embryo Loyo, where are
you? she called out to Grace one morn
ing. as she mounted the steps Of Mr..
Morgan's piazza.
Grace made her appearance at the
breakfast room window.
Get your bonnet, child,' said Bell to
her, 'Ive come to give you a splendid
ride. such a pair Of horses you never
were behind yet. Really lis pleasure
10 drive one who appreciates il as you
do; out as to that chicken hearted Luce
continued she, laughingly, Il always ex-
pee. a fit of Mysteries before get her
back
Grace, warn you not to CO. said
Lucy, BELL is naturally reckless dri-
yer. and she's determined to break your
neck from sheer jealousy Of you. horse
manship.'
Bells whip was raised ,hrealeningly
at the speaker, but Grace making her
appearance just then, bonne. in hand,
they sprang into the ssanhope and were
off.
isn't that leader beau,y!' queried
Bell, for she was driving tandem, .whew!
wha. time ! had with him the first day
] tried him, but drove him till he was
pretty well mastered, and he has been
on his good behavior ever since.'
Are those the colts I heard Won snea