Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-06-09

tltue, HlutleTiHg 'uuIHoug between Ills
teeth as he went up stairs. a.
The next morning, with its brigh. sun
shine and delicious air, found the horses
saddled for our equestrians before the
hall door.
Grace's tall, slender figure looked re-
markably well in her forest green riding
habit, and low crowned black hat with
lis long floating plume; but it must be
confessed that in despite of her beauty,
Tom watched her approach with slight
feeling of annoyance, for he had worked
himself into the belief that Miss Stanley
was mere fashionable, awkward, and
timid horseman, and that his morning S
ride would be spoiled in consequence.
Bell Hamilton's scarlet dress is a great
deal landsomer; she knows how to do
the thing up right-the English women
always follow the hounds in scarlet so.
liloquized Tom, as Grace descended The
steps, just raising her long skirt enough
to expose the tip of beautiful little pat
ent leather Wellington.
Miss Stanly approached her horse, ex-
amined the saddle. girths and curb.chain,
patted him on the neck, and was about
placing her hand on the pommel to be
mounted, when Tom called out TO the
groom,
Here, you black rascal, where is Miss
Stanley's martingal'
'She not ride wild one, sar, he, he, hc!'
answered Sam, grinning from ear to ear,
andno more rhinding being called 4 'black
rascal, than if he had been termed a
gentleman. ~
Not ride with martingal, Miss STAN
ley! Why your horse will rear, or throw
up his head and run off, as sure as you
mount him. said Tom, but might have
expected some such folly from young
lady who learned the management OF a
horse in riding school. forsoothp bu,
this last sentence was soto Uoce.
Grace said not a word, but stood very
quietly with her hand on the pommel,
and Tom was about lifting her into the
saddle, when he saw Sam standing a
few yards off watching the operation.
'What in the name of mischief do you
mean, Sam! Come here, right away,
and hold the horses head while | mount
Miss Stanley
'She no want him held. Massa Tom.'
answered Sam.
DO as | tell you, Won lazy dog, or I'll
break my riding whip over your head
Numbered Tom, now almost angry with
Sam, who only laughed. He, however,
toola>hold of the bride at threatening
gesture from mis- master, but the horse
plunged and reared so, that il was i'm
possible to attempt mounting.
Let 60, Sam, if you Please said
Grace, quietly. Steady, Sultan, steady,
sir, continued she to the horse, caressing
him, and patting him on the shoulder,
aud in moment he was obedient to her
voice, and rubbing his head on her arm.
Again she took the reins firmly in her
right hand. placed it on the pommel, and
putting her little foot in Toms huge
palm, she rose to her saddle with the
llghiness of bird.
You have your curb rein too tight, l
think, Miss Stanley said Tom, as he
was turning away to look for Lucy.
40, sir, | always ride with it So
You see my horse is obedient to my
lightest touch: look how finely his neck
is arched. And what splendid position
il is in, and that, too without the aid of a
martingal.'
Tom thought to himself, 'wai, till he
gets into a canter or a trot, and we'll see
the position his head will be in.' but as
Sultan commenced paving the air and
ground, and throwing his head about as
if in delight at having his mistress on
his back, Tom could not help feeling
tina, all these innovations on the good old
s,y lie OF riding, heterodox though they
may be, were really wonderful.
Lucy was soon mounted, and the par
~ started off on brisk canter. Tom
looked a, Grace in astonishment. Bell
Hamillon's bold hnrsemanship was for
gotten in that of the lady by his side
Such sleadiness but lightness of hand.
such firm seat, such readiness and
completeness of management of one of
the gayesi animals he had ever seen.
such unity of action in horse nd rider,
threw him into ecslacies of delight.
What do you think of Lightning
Miss Stanley!' asked Tom, for he now
considered Grace quite competent to
give an opinion on the subject.
lie is a fine horse, but should no:
like to ride him.
'He is quite gentle. and there would
be no danger for you, think! said
Tom.
'Oh, have no fear Of him. retorted
Grace, but he is not properly trained.'
and though the side of the cheek which
was turned toward the gentleman was
exceedingly demure, her eyes sparkled,
and her mouth dimpled with sup pressed
mischief.
mot properly trained--pray, Miss
Stanley, can you instruct me how to
train him properly!' asked Tom. ironi.
cally, whilst an incipient flash, which
very much resembled the name of his
horse, shot froA his eyes. In truth,
Grace had touched him on most ten
der point; he considered himself the bes,
breaker OF horses in Maryland.
Al ohAnlI .aallx, FL a.. 49,