Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-08-01

y.
fore that time he was the only friend | had in
'ne "oru should like to see you on hun,
MASTER"
81 should soon bo off him ] can't ride"
Then you are all right, MASTER; there's no
fear Trust him for not hurting a Young nen-
teman, an officers son, who cant ride II YOU
were blackguardldragoon, ind ed, with lo7g
spurs, 'twere another thing; as il is, he'll n at
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 bestsridinq
master st, in all Ireland and tn, gentest."
The cob was led forth. "There," said the
groom, as he looked at him, half admirinply,
haii sorrowfully, "with sixteen stone on his back
mel trot fourteen miles in one hour with your
nine stone, some two-and half more ay, and
clear'a six-foot wall at the end of it."
I'm half afraid" said l al had rather YOU
would ride him."
I'D rather so, too, if he would let me ; but
he remembers the blow. Now, don't be afraid,
young master; he's longing TO 90 out himself
lies been trampling with his feet three dav.,
and ! know what that means; he'l let anybody
ride him but myself, and thani them but to me
he says, "No you struck me-"
But" said ], "whcre's theIsaddle?"
Never mind the saddle; if you are ever to
oe frank rider, you must begin without a sad-
a
you don't trust him, and leave YOU to yourself"
Oh went the cob at a slow and GENTLE t,.o,
TOO last and rough howeve for so inexperienced
rider. soon felt myself sliding off; the ami
MAJ Preceived il, too, and instantly stood stone
still till had rghted myself and now the
groom came up: "When you feel yourself 90
ing" said he, "don't lay hold of the name. tbats
no use name never yet saved man from fallinr.
no more than straw from drowning; it's his side.
you must cling to with your calves and feet. ill
you learn TO balance yourself. That's it, POW
abroad with you; I'll be; my comrade pot Of
peer that you'll be regular rough-rider by the
fine you come back"
And so it proved followed the directions
of the groom, and the cob gave me every ass
tance. How easy is riding after the first tiniid-
lty is got over, to supple and youthful limbs; and
there is no second fear In less than two hour.
had made the circuit of the Devils Mountaio.
and was returning along the road, bathed in
persplration, but screaming with delight tine
cob laughing in his equine way, scattering foam
and pebbles to the left and right, and trottinr
at the rate of sixteen miles an hour.
Oh, that ride that first ride most truly it
was an epoch in my existence and still look
back to II with feeling of longing and regret
People may talk Of first love-, is very
agreeable event, dare say-but give me the
flush. and triumph, and glorious sweet of a fts,
ride, like mine on the mighty cob Ny whole
frame was shaken, it is true and during one
long week could hardly move foot or hand
but what of that? BY that one trial, had be-.
come free, as | may say, of the whole equine
species. No more fatigue, no more stiffness OF
joints, after 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 passion
which, up to the present time has been rather
on the Increase than diminishing. 1t is no blind
passion the horss being a noble and generou.
creature, intended by the All-Wise TO be the
helper and friend of man, to whom he slaud>
next in the order Of creation. On many ocea-
SONS of my life, have been mu.h indebted %
the horse, and have found in HIM friend and
-coadJutor, when human help and sympathy were
pot to he obtained. 1t is. therefore. natural
enough that should love the the horse but
the love which | entertained for him has always
neen blended with respect FOR ! soon nreceivrd
that, though disposed 10 be the friend and help.
er OF man, he is by no means inclined TO be lis
slave; in which respect he differs from the dog,
who will crouch when beaten; whereas, the
horse spurns, for he is aware of his own worth.
and that he carries death within the horn of his
heel