Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-11-26
EVENING STAR.
THE UNCLAD HoRSEMAN.
BY MAJOR JOSEPH JosEs.

III MAJOR JONES.
Absolem NipperS was q wild over, and one of
the particularest men, perhaps, that ever
lived though some people said that when bis
wife was alive, he used to dress as common as
held hand didn't use to take no pains with
himself at all. In his settlement, he had
monstrous bad name. particularly among the
women, who used to say that he did Mt allow
his wife more than one dress year, and as for
new shawl or bonnet, the poor woman did Mt
Know nothing about such things. Everybody
noticed how he spruced mp about six weeks
after Mrs. Nippers diod, and how he went to
church regular on Sunday. But they didn't
have any confidence in his religion, and used
to say he only went to show his new suit Of
mourning and to ogle the gals. Old Mrs Rog-
ers hated him like poison, and said that she
believed his poor wife died broken hearted
and as for his pretending to be sorry about it
that was all sham, for she could soc plain
| enough at the funeral that he had one eye in
the grave and tho ether on the gals that were
there, trying to pick out Of them a wife
with such character among the women, IL
amt to be supposed that he stood any sort OF a
chance OF getting another Mrs. Nippers near
home; and whether he was IS bad to his first
as they said he was, or not one thing was GER
tain, he had to look abroad for some one to ill
her place.
MI Nlppers was very lucky in finding a
gal just u his mind, what lived about ten miles
from his plantation. Nancy Parker was rich
ana though she wasn't very young nor very
handsome, she belonged TO Mr.. Nipper'S
church, and filled his eye exactly; so be set in
courting her with all his might. Ten miles
was good long ride, and as ho was a very eco
nomical man, he used to ride over 70 cid Mrs
Parker's plantation every Sunday morning
to go TO church with them, and ride home in
the cool of the evening. Ia that way he
managed TO kill two birds with one stone-that
is, to advance the prospects Of his happiness on
this earth, and in the world to come, at the
same time, without losing any of bis weekday
time.
a ride of ten miles on hot Sunday morn
ing, over dusty road, is very apt to soil
gentleman 4 dry goods, and make him and his
horse very tired. Mr.. Nippcrs did Mt mind
the fatigue so much as his horse; but in
matter such as he had in hand, il was very
important that he should make as good IN iui-
preston rs possible. So he adopted plan by
which he was able 20 present himself before
tho object of his affections in order-with his
Sunday coat as clean, and his blooming ruflles
aS fresh and neat as if they had just come out
Of band-box. This was a happy experiment
and what nobody but n widowcr-lover would
ever dream Of. He used to start from home
with his new coat and clean shirt tied UP in a
pOckct-haadkerchief and after riding within
about quarter of a mile Of Mrs Parker's
plantation, he would turn off into thickct of
chickapin bushes where nobody could see him,
anu there make his rural toilet.
One bright SunIay morning Mr. NipperS
had arrived at his dressing ground. ItwSs an
important occasion. Everything was promis-
ing, aud he had made up his mind to pom the
in his mind that he would return homo an en-
gagged man, and he was reckoning over to
himself the value of Miss Nancy's plantation
and nigSers, while he was setting on his horse
making his accustomed change Of dress
He had dropped his reins on his horse's
neck, what WAS browsing about, making up
his last nights scanty feed from the bushes in
his reach, and kicking and stomping at such
1icS as was on him.
III fix tho business this time," said Mr.
Nippers to himself. "I'll bring thincs 70 a
point before ! go home this night said he, as
be united the handkerchief with his clean
clothes, and spread them on the saddle bow.
"Wo, Ball, said he have only got 10
say the word, and We said nc to his horse
who was rearing and kicking about-''wo! You
cussed old fool and the business Is settled
just slick as fallen oil u log
lie was drawing his shirts over his head when
Bali gave n sudden spring what like to made
him lose his balance. "Wo," said he-but
before he could get his arms out Of the sleeves,
Ball was wheeling and kicking like wrath at
something that seemed TO trouble him behind
Down went the clean clothes, shirt and all, ON
the ground. "Blast your internal picture-wo
nOw!" said Mr.. Nippers, grabbing at the rcins
But before he could get hold Ofthem, Ball was
OF like streak of CREASED lightning towed by
steamboats, with a whole swarm of yellow
jackets round his tail,
Mr.. Nippers grabbed hold Of the manc and
tried to stop the horse, but il was 10 use
Away went heinfuriated Ball taking the road
he was used 10 travel in--another moment
brought him to the house. The gates were
open, and in dashed the horse, with the almost
naked Nippers hanging to his neck, holloNing
''stOp him hornets! hornets!'' as loud as he
could scream.
Out como the dogs, and after the horse
They went round and round the house scatter
ing the ducks and chickens, and terrifying the
little niggers out Of their senses. The noise
brought tho women To the door.
"Don't look, Miss Nancy, hornets, wo,
keteh him!' shouted the unclad Nippers, as
with spent breath he went dashing out of the
gate again, with the dogs still after him, and
his horses tail switching in every direction,
like n young hurricane Miss Nancy got but
one glimpse of her forlorn lover, and before
she could get her apron to her eyes, she faintod
ut the auful sight-while his fast receding
voice crying 'hornets stop him. hornets"
still rung in her ears.
She never seen her devoted Nippers again.
The settlement was too full of hornets after
that. What became of him nobody knows
but it is generally believed that be turned
into Centaur, and Is going to this day, hol-
lowing "horncts, hornets "'