The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-04-01

as is one in fit of rabies. He may kill
his master, but he docs it without design
There is in him no desire of mischief for
its own sake, or cruel cunning, no strata
gem and malice. A rabid horse is conscious
in every act and motion. He recognizes
the man he destroys There is in him an
insane desire to kiU. Not so with the
phrenetic horse He is unconscious in
one. There is NO method or purpose in
his madness. He kills without knowing
it.
81 knew what was coming. 1 could not
jump out, that would be certain death. l
must abide in the car, and take my chance
OF life. The car was fortunately high,
long and roomy. took my position in
front of my horse, watching, and ready to
spring. Suddenly her lids, which were
closed, came open with snap, as if an
electric shock had passed through her, and
the eyes, wild in their brightness, stared
directly at me- And what eyes they were
The membrane grew red and redder until
it was Of the color of blood, standing out
in frightful contrast with the transparency
Of the cornea. The pupil gradually d.
lated until it seemed about to burst out of
the socket The nostrils, which had been
sudden and motionless, quivered, swelled,
and glowed. The respiration became
short, quick and gasping. The limp and
dropping ears stiffened and stood erect,
pricked sharply forward, as if to catch the
slightest sound. Spasms, as the car
swerved and vibrated, ran along her frame
More hOrrid than all, the lips slowly con-
tracted, and the white, shlrp-edged teeth
stood uncovered, giving an indescribable
look of ferocity to the partially opened
mouth. The car suddenly reeled as it
dashed around a curve, swaying her almost
eff her feet, and as a contortion shook her,
she recovered herself and, rearing upward
as high as the car permitted, plunged di-
directly at me. was expecting the move
ment, and lodged. Then followed exhi.
bitions of pain which l pray God 1 may
never see again. Time and again did she
dash herself upon the floor, and roll over
and over, lashing out with her feet in all
directions. Pausing moment, she
would stretch her body TO its extreme
length, and, lying upon her side, pound
the floor with her head as if it were
msul. Then like a flash she
would leap to her feet, and whirl
round and round until from very giddi
ness she would stagger and fall. She
would lay hold of the straw with her
teeth, and shake it as dog shakes strug-
Cling woodchuck; then dashing it from
her mouth, she would seize hold of her
own sides, and rend herself Springing
up, she would rush against the end of the
car, fal - III in heap from the vio-
lence Ga the conclusion. For some fif
teen minutes without intermission the
frenzy lasted | was nearly exhausted.
My efforts to avoid her mad rushes, the
terrible tension Of my nervous system pro-
duced by the spectacle Of such exquisite
and prolonged suffering, were weakening
me beyond what should have thought it
possible an hour before for anything to
weaken me- In fact, felt my strength
leaving me. A terror such as l never yet
felt was taking possession Of my mind. |
sclSepcd at the sight before me, and st
the thought of agonies yet to come. My
God exclaimed, must be killed by my
own horse in this miserable carr Even
as spoke the end came. The mare raised
herself until her shoulders touched the
roof, then dashed her body upon the
floor with q violence which threatened
the stout frame beneath her. | leaned,
painting and exhausted against the side of
the car. Gulnare did not stir. She lay
in lessened respirations. l tottered to-
ward her, and, as stood before her, my
ear detected a low gurgling sound l can
not describe the feeling that followed.
Joy and grief c0ntended within me.
knew the meaning OF that sound Gull
mare. in her frenzed violence, had broken
blood-vessel, and was bleeding internal
ly. Pain and life were passing away to-
gether. | knelt down by her side | laid
my head upon her shoulders, and sobbed
aloud. Her body moved little beneath
me. | crawled forward and lifted her
| beautiful head into my lap. o, for one
more sign of recognition before she died
[ smoothed the tangled masses of her
name. l wiped, with a fragment of my
coat, torn in the struggle. the blood
which OOZed from her nOstrils. | called
her by name. My desire was granted
In a moment GulDare opened her eyes.
| The redness Of frenzy had passed out of
them. She saw and recognized me. l
| spoke again. Her eye lighted moment
with the old and Intelligent look of love
| Her ear moved. Her nostril quivered
| slightly as she strove to neigh. The effort
was in vain. Her love was greater than
her strength. She moved her head lit
| tie, as if she would be nearer me, looked
once more with her clear eyes into my
face, breathed long breath, straightened
her shapely limbs, and died. And there,
holding the head of my dead mare in my
Jap, while the great warm tears fell one
after another down my cheeks, sat until
the sun went down, the shadows darken,d
in the car, and night drew her mantle, col
ored like my grief over the world. 1T
ldntic Monthly for ApTL.