The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-03-15

become quite convinced that the Col.
will not part with her upon any terms
which | can conscentiously offer him.
He is very fond of her-dotes upon
her, in fact He allows me to see her
as often as I choose, and though
have not yet in so many words asked
him upon what conditions he will let
me have her, yet he certainly must
know what | am driving at-pardon
me the inelegant expression, my dear
mother. She is perfect little beauty,
and no mistake; and, having set my
heart upon her, so to speak, ! am not
disposed to give her up. | have never
asked her age, bnt she is young and
/ lively, though not in the least danger
GUS / should guess her to be about
twelve or thirteen hands high though
] have never asked her height She
has very bright eye, and the finest
little ears You ever saw. In color she
is white or not exactly white, either.
but rather n light, rich cream color.
She is not fast, and, therefore is no
temptation to Jockeys; but carries her
head well up, and is remarkably
graceful stopper. / drove her ont for
an hour yesterday, and assure YOU
my dear mother, she goes elegantly in
"a buggy. / was really enchanted with
her--pardon my enthusiasm. | did
not touch her with the whip all the
time, and, though we went at pretty
good pace, she seemed not in the least
worried when we got back, but just as
fresh as when we started You know
how Benjamin used to blow after he
had been driven for an hour or two.
My uncle says he will guarantee that
she will work in any harness, and she
is certainly safe, sound, and kind
Now, my dear mother, what shall |
do? If you say SO, | will breach the
subject to the Colonel Immediately. l
do not wish to act without your full
concent. If he refuses to let her go
upon any terms, what course shall |
take? Your most obedient and affec-
tionate son, &c.
To this letter my mother replied
earlier than | expected, and from her
letter | cut the following elegant ex-
tract:
81 sent you to Kentucky, my son, to
buy me mare. | instructed you to
procure the best animal that you could
find, with the assistance of your uncle.
| am pleased with the description you
give of the beast you have in view.
Need / tell yon again to purchase her
at once, regardless of a few dollars
more or less than her real value"
This | am constrained to say,
though thoroughly elegant, with the
exception of the word beast" which
shocked me as coming from my moth
er's pen, didn't seem to me practically
to hat the nail very squarely on the
head | had asked my mother explic-
lily what | should do i'll case the Col.
refused to part with the beast" upon
any consideration; and the reply coolly
instructed me to buy her.
Well hesitated, not knowing what
to do. My uncle observed my grow
ing interest in the pursuit, and
laughed at my desperation when
could see no way to attain my object.
held Il private conversation with him
one day in the stable. As Il result of
that conference, sought an interview
the next morning with the Colonel. |
laid my business squarely before him,
and desired to know if he could be in
duced to part with the beast "a
word that my mother sees proper to
use, | suppose is good enough for me.
He grew red about the gills, and
laughed little, nervous, wicked laugh,
as he turned his back upon me with a
particularly chill, mo, sir.
| wrote passionate letter to my
mother that night; but feeling con-
vinced, as j read it over in the morn
ing, that she would regard it as not
altoge ther elegant, | burned it. The
Colonel had not formally forbidden
me his premises, though | don't think
he would have burned to see me, if i
) had staid away for n week; ana made
so bold as to walk over there during
the day, and had the satisfaction of
t seeing the beast-that word clings to
, me like leech, once more. | found
her on the lawn in front of the man
sion and as she was very tame and
had learned to know me well, / had
no difficulty in approaching her. She
met me half way, indeed, and seemed
greatly pleased to see me; and though
my mother might regard my conduct
as inelegant, l nevertheless will con-
TESS that | put my arms about the
beasts neck and kissed her
That night | stole her; having pre-
viously learned where she was kept at
night, and having also improved my
! numerous opportunities to cultivate
an intimate acquaintance with the
house dog. Two days afterward l
wrote to my mother from Louisville:
"Honored Madam aud dear Mother
Forgive your erring son, for he know
eth not what he doeth. Open unto
: him the arms of forgiveness, and kill
: for thy prodigal the fatted calf Veal
: pie, if you please, dear mother) !
have stolen her-i have stolen her
This proceeding may not be wholly
! elegant, honored madame, but when
you see her you will rejoice at my mi
putty. You will love the sinner, if !
may be permitted TO say So for the
sake OF ms sin. She is such beauty
8 viii never call her beast again.