New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-09-02


An empty skif reposed on the lake
And passing the grove of aders there.
what heard therein "A whispering pair;
The moon shone brightly, the night was serene
Now tell me, good people what could that mean?
From the Bridgeport Republican Farmer
HORSE ADvENTUR
My father, beside being in the mercantile
line and keeping the village tavern, also ran
freight wagon to Norwalk, and kept a small
livery stable. He was fond of Joke, and had
a sly, peculiar, waggish kink in his nature
which led him frequently to turns of some
pretty cute tricks. On one occasion young
man named Nelson Beers applied to him for a
horse to ride to Danbury, distance of three
miles. Nelson was an apprentice to the shoe
making businass, nearly out of his time; was
not overstocked with brains, and lived a mile
and half east Of our village. My father
thought it would be better for Nelson to make
his short journey on foot, than to be at the ex-
pense of hiring horse; but he did not tell him
so. We had an old horse named g Bob," that
having reached an age beyond his teens, was
turned out in bog lot near our house to die
He was literally sliving skeleton and was
much IN the same condition of the yankees nag,
| which was so weak that his owner had to hire
his neighbor's horse to help him draw his last
breath. My father, therefore, in reply to Mel
sons application, told him that the livery horses
were all out, and he had none at home except a
| famous trace horse" which he was keeping in
low flesh in order to have him in proper trim to
win great race soon to come off
tsOh, do let me have him, Uncle Phile will
| ride him very carefully, and not injure him in
the least said Nelson Beers
she is too valuable an animal to risk in the
| hands of young man like you,'' responded my
father.
Nelson continued to importune, and my father
to play off, until it was finally agreed that the
horse could be had on the condition that he
should in no case be rode faster than a walk or
slow trot. and that he should be fed four quarts
Of oats at Danhury. Nelson started on his Ro-
| sinante, looking for all the world as if he was
on a mission to the ssearrion crows" but he felt
every inch q man, fer he faneied himself astride
Of the greatest race horse in the country, and
realized that great responsibility was resting
upon his shoulders, for the last words of my
father to him were: ssNelson, if any accident
should happen to this animal while under youl
charge, you could not pay the damage in q life
| time Of labor"
| Old Bob was duly GATED and watered at Dan
bury, and at the end of several hours Mr.. Beers
mounted him and started for Bethel He con.
cluded to take the great ss Pasture Road'' home
| that being the name of a new road cut through
swamps and meadows, as shorter route to oul
village. Nelson, for the nonce, forgetting his
responsibility, probably tried the speed Of his
| race-horse, and soon broke him down At al
events, something occurred to weaken Old Bob
nerves; for he came to q and-still, and Nelson
was forced to dismount. The horse trembleG
with weakness, and Nelson Beers trembled Will
fright. small brook was running through th
bog at the roadside, and Beers, thinking tha
perhaps his ''race-horse" needed drink, LEI
him into the stream. Poor Old Bob got stuc
in the mud, and not having strength to with
draw his feet, quietly closed his eyes, and lik
patriarch as he was, he dropped into the sol
bed that was awaiting him, and gave up th
ghost without single kick.
No language can describe the consternatio
of poor Beers. He could not believe his eye
, He tried to open those Of his horse, but it ws
no 60 He placed his ear at the mouth of poe
Old Bob, but took. it away again in utter dis
may. The breath had ceased. AT last Nelson
groaning as he thought of meeting my father
J and wondering whether eternity, added to tim
, : would be long enough for him to earn the valu
! of the horse, took the bride from the s. dea
: head" and unbuckling the girth, drew off tt
9 saddle. and placing it on his own back trudge
! gloomily toward our village.
1t was about sundoWn when my father espie
! his victim coming up the street with the sadd
| and bride thrown across his shoulders, his fat
wearing a look of the most complete despai
parted this life, and he chuckled inwardly al
quietly, but instantly assumed most serio,
countenance. Poor Beers approached, mo-
. slowly and mournfully than if he was followir
q dear friend to the grave.
When he came within hailing distance. N
father called out 'sWhy, Beers, is it possib
you have been so careless as to let that ra,
i horse run away from you?"
"0h, worse than that, worse than that, vi
Inin II In ,nI Mn1r
I "Worse than that? Then he has been stole
by some judge of valuable horses Oh, VIII,
a fool ] was to intrust him to any body!'' e,
claimed my father. with ll-feigned sorrow.
/ "No, he amt stolen, Uncle Phile,'' sal
It Nelson.
"Not stolen' Well, am glad of that, for
shall recover him again; but, where is he'
: am afIaid you have lamed him.
Worse than that draWled the unfortunai
n n Nelson.
. swell, what is the matter' Where is he
" What ails him J" asked my father.
"Oh, | can't tell you-I can't tell you'll" sal
Beers, with groan.
ssBut you must tell me, returned my fathe,
''1t will break your heart" groaned Beers.
"To, be sure it will, if he is seriously injured
replied my father: g But where is he -
'sHe is dead" said Beers, as he nerved hin
self up for the announcement, and then closi1
ms eyes, SUNK into Chair completely overcon
with fright.
Ny father gave groan that started Nels,
to his feet again. All the sensations of pal
despair, horror and intense agony, were depiett
to the life on my fathers countenanoe.
"Oh, Uncle Phile--Uncle Phile-don't be Il
hard with mel" | would't have it happen fl
all the world,'' said Beers
"You can never recompense me for thi
or horse" replied my father.
+ 81 know it; know it, Uncle Phile! ca
= only work for you as long as live; but "
:, shall have my services till you are Statistic
y after my apprenticeship is Finished" return
Beers,
II After a short time my father became call
II and, although apparently not reconciled 10 /
loss, he asked Nelson how much he supposed
ought to owe him.
81 don't know, l am no judge of the value
: blood horses; but l have been told they a
worth fortunes some times," said Beers.
"And mine was one of the best in the world
said my father, sand in such perfect eonditit