Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-10-18


that = grestIssponsibility Was resting up-
on his shoulders, for the last words of my
father to him were, '' Nelson if any acei.
dent should happen 10 this animal while
under your charge you could not pay the
damage in lifetime of labor"
Old " Bob" vas duly Dated and water
ed at Danbury, and at the end, of several
hours Mr.. Beers mountedshind and started
for Bethel. He concluded to take the
great pasture road home, that being the
name of anew road cut through sWamps
and meadows, as shorter route to our
village. Nelson, for oncs forgetting his
responsibility, probably tried the speed of
his race-horse. and soon broke him down.
At-all events, sonsetking occurred TO Wsa.
ken old Bob's nerves for he came to
stand-still. aud Nelson was forced to dis
mount. The horse trembled with weak
ness, and Nelson Beers trembled with
fright. A small brook was running
through the bog at the roHd-Si1e aud
Beers, thinking that perhaps his race.
horse" needed drink, led him into tue
stream. Poor old " Bob" got stuck in
the mud, and not having strength tc
withdraw his feet. quietly closed his eyes
and like patriarch as he was, he drop.
ped into the soft bed that was awaiting
him, and gave up the ghost without =
single kick.
No language can describe the conster
nation Of poor Beers. He could not be
lieve his eyes. He tried to open those Of
his horse, but it was no go. He placed
his ear at the mouth Of poor old Z" Bob, !"
but took it away again in utter dismay.-
The breath had ceased. At last Nelson.
groaning IS he thought Of meeting my
father, and wondering whether eternity,
added to time, would be long enough ior
him to earu the value Of the horse, took
the bride from the dead head" and
unbuckling the girth, drew of the saddle,
and placing it on his own back Irudced
gloomily toward our village.
1t was about sundown when my father
espied his victim coming up the street
with the saddle and bride thrown across
his shoulders, his face wearing look Of
the most complete despair. Ny father
was certain that old " Bob" had departed
this life, and he cluckled inwardly and
quietly, but instantly assumed most Sc
rIous countenance. Poor Beers approach
ed more slowly and mournfully than il he
was following dear friend to the grave
When he came within hailing distance,
my father called out. "Why Beers, is il
possible you have been so careless as to
let that race. horse run away from you -
"Oh, worse than that. worse than that,
uncle Phile," grosned Nelson.
" Worse than that? Then he has
been stolen by some judge Of valuable
horses Oh, what fool 1 was 10 en-.
trust him TO anybody y exclaimed my
father with well feigned sorrow.
I" No he amt stolen, uncle PhiIO," said
Nelson.
L" Not stolen we'll I am glad of that,
for I shall recover him again, but where
is he ? am afraid you have lamsd
him."
"Worse than that" drswlsd the uu.
fortunate Nelson.
We'll, what is the matter? Where
is he? What Nils him ?" asked my IA.
ther.
"Oh, I can'ttell you-I can't tell you. u
said Beers with groan.
q But you must tell me, returned my
father.
"Is will break your hearI." grOauot
Beers.
"To be sure it will, IL he is seriously
injured" replied my father, but where
is he q?
i" He is dead "' said Beers, as he ner
we'd himself up for the announcement, anC
then closing his eyes, sunk into = chair
completely overcome with fright
Ny father gave a grOan that star
ted Nelson to his feet again. All tn.
sensations Of pain, despair. horror. ane
intense agony were depicted to the life OF
my fathers count0nance.
"Oh. uncle Phile, uncle PhiIe, don'
be too hard upon me, wouldn't have
had it happen for all the world" said
Beers.
a. You can never recompense me fol
that horse" replied my father.
" l know it, know it, uncle PhiIe.-
can only work for you as long 80 live
but you shall have my services till yor
are satisfied. after my apprenticeship il
finished" return Beers.
After a short time my father becam,
calm. and although apparently not recon
ci'ed to his loss, be asked Nelson how
much he supposed he ought to owe him
-" l don't know am no Judge Of tn,
value of blood horses, but / have beer
told they are worth fortunes. sometimes, >
replied Beers.
:" And mine was one Of the best in th,
world, said my father, and in such per
feet condition for running-alI bone and
sineH."
40 yes, 1 saw that" said Beers de.
spondingIy, but with a frankness thai
showed he did not wish to deny the gTear
1 claims of the hnPaa and his ownar
/" Well. says my father with sigh.
as have no desire to go to Law on the
subject. We had better try to agree ON the
value OF the horse. You may mark on :
slip Of paper what sum you think you