Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-07-24
nOnsE nEsErrmENr.

tho kAOOiho NttiiiN Oub W iltf HtilinRf Il oo19
young gentleman, l wish you would give
tho cob breathing this fine morning"
"Why do you wish me TO mount him. |"
said I "you know he is dangerous. l saw
him fling You of his back, only few days
ago"
"Why that's the very thing, master. I'd
rather see anybody on his back than myself;
he does not like me but, TO them he docs,
he can bo MS gentle as lamb"
"But suppose" said |, that he should not
like 2"
awe shall soon SEQ that MASTER" said the
groom; " and if so be he shows temper, will
be the first to tell you to get down. But
there's no fear of that; you have never anger
oil or insultcd him, and to such as you, say
again, he'll bo as gentle as lamb"
"And how came you to insult him." said
|, "knowing his temper as you do"
"Merely through forgctfulness, master. l
was riding him about month ago, and hav-
ing a stick in my hand, l struck him, think
ing was on another horse, or rather think
ing of nothing at all. He has never forgiv-
on me, though before that time he was the
only friend had in the world; should like
to see you on him, master"
81 should soon be off him l can't ride"
"Then you are all right master; there's
no fear. Trust him for not hurting young
gentleman, an officers son, who can't ride.
If you were blackguard dragoon, indeed,
with long spurs, twere another thing; as it
is, he'll treat you as if he were the elder
brother that loves you. Ride he'll soon
teach you to ride, if you leave the matter
with him. He's the best riding master in
all Ireland, and the gentlest"
Tho cob was led forth. "There, said the
groom, as he looked at him, half admiringly,
half sorrowfully, "with sixteen stone on his
back, he'll trot fourteen miles in one hour;
with yolr nine stone, some two-and-a-half
more; av, and clear six-foot wall at the
end of it."
"Fm half afraid" said L; 81 had rather
you would ride him."
'Pd rather so, too, if he would lot me; but
he remembers the blow, Now, don't be
afraid, young master; he's longing to 90 out
himself. He's been trampling with his feet
three days, and know what that means;
he'll let anybody ride him but myself, and
thank them; but to mo he says, "No! you
struck me-"
"But," said ], "whcre's the saddle"
j "Never mind the saddle; if you are ever
to be frank rider, you must begin without
, a saddle; besides if he felt saddle, he
+ would think you don't trust him, and leave
you to yourself"
;, Off went the cob at slow and gentle
f trot, too fast and rough, however, for so in
experienced rider. 1 soon felt myself sill
ding off; tho animal perceived it. too, and
instantly stood stone-still till | had righted
myself and now the groom came up
: "When you feel yourself going," said he,
'don't lay hold of the name, that's no use !;
name never yet saved man from falling, no
moro than straw from drowning; it's his
sides, you must cling to with your calves and
feet, till you learn to balance YOURSELF
That's it, now abroad with you; I'll bet my
comrade pot Of beer that you'll be regu-
lar rough-rider by the time you como back"
= And so it proved: followed the direc-
tions of the groom aud the cob gave me ev-
cry assistance. How easy is riding, after
the first timidity is got over, to supple and
youthful limbs and there is no second fear
In less than two hours had made the cir
cult of the Devils Mountain and was return
ing along the road, bathed in perspiration,
but screaming with delight; the cob laugh
ing in his equine way, scattering foam and
pebbles to the left and right, and trotting
at the rate of sixteen miles an hour.
! Oh, that ride that first ride !-most tru.
ly it was an epoch in my existence: and l
still look back to it with feelings of longing
and regret People may talk Of first love-
it is very agreeable event, l dare say
but give me the flush, and triumph, and
glorious sweet of a first ride on the mighty
cobi My whole frame was shaken, it is
true and during one long week could
hardly move hand or foot; but what of that ?
By that one trial, had become free, as ]
may say, of the whole equine species Nc
moro fatigue, no moro stiffness of joints, af
ter that first round the Devils Hill on the
cob
1t was thus that the passion for the equine
race was first awakened within me-a pas
sion which up to the present time, has been
rather on the increase than diminishing
1t is no blind passion; the horse being no.
Bile and generous creature, intended by the
All-Wise to be the helper and friend ofman,
to whom he stands next in tho order of cre-
alton. On many occasions of my life have
, been much indebted to the horse, and have
found in him friend and coadjutor, when
human help and sympathy were not to be
obtained. 1t is, therefore, natural enough
that should love the horse; but the love
which entertain for him has always been
blended with respect for soon perceived
that, though disposed to be the friend and
helper of man, he is by no means inclined
to be his slave; in which respect he differs
from the dog, who will crouch when beaten
whereas, the horse spurns, for he is aware oI
his own worth, and that he carries death
within the horn of his heel
At tho commencement at Antioch Col
Iege, few days since, Hon. Horace Mann
Il President Of the institution, stated, in
dinner speech, that he had within the pas
= few weeks, received letter from young
! man in Indiana, who had been invited t.
deliver Fourth of July grafton, asking
: him (Mr. Mann)ato write his speech 70
Is him, closing hisapplication by offering 500
c for the production.
D. A LONG UNPAID DEBT.-"As early a