Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-10-21
OUR MINISTER'S PURCHASE.

! Mr.. Hale rs ne stoou III INC l"'u "o'o'o
Dcpray's stable, while the salesman walk
ed around low. heavy built gray horse,
and tawny, large boncd rackcr.
"Ycs, sir. these are all we have to-day
except young mare. that | don't think
you'd like. jim, bring out that black
iily." and tho clumsy hostler proceeded
to pull out with Jerks and twitches a small
rough coated animal. whose bleeding
mouth and SCARED napks showed that she
had been numerically treated.
She resented the hostler's rough hand
ling with spirit; still she did not look
vicious. There was no very ugly glcam
of the eyes but, on the contrary, n plead
ing expostulation with the coalsc crca'
ture. who gave her blow and kick to
make her show off, and brought her up
with jerk of The halter that almost broke
her slender neck.
We've sold her twice, but had her re-
turned" said the salesman. "She's
gentle as lamb unless she gets her
temper up, then she's 4 regular devil, and
for all she's so small, she's rs strong and
fierce IS a lion when she's reused"
IL guess Bill Smithll take her, and
he'll break her temper or her neck
Going up to her, Mr. Hale spoke kindly,
pa,ling hcr ucck. which was quivcring
with pain from the pressure of the halter; ;
passing his hand caressingly over her
nose, and flung back the heavy manc that
was tangled and knotted above her eyes.
The poor creature seemed 10 know at
once that he was OF different nature
from her old tormeninrs, and, with n
gentle whinny, laid her head coniidingly
upon his shoulder, while her large hazel
eyes filled with something very much like
tears.
She was not such horse rs he wanted.
Her spirit seemed broken, except when
enraged, and she had been abused and
neglected till she was any thing but 4
beauty; still her head was we'll formed,
and her eyes were almost human in their
EXPRESSION. If her coat could be made
smooth, she might possibly pass with
out exciting remark. Mr.. Hale liked TO
drive goodlooking animal rs well rs
any one, and he hesitated for some time,
but could not resist her pleading look to
be taken from her brutal owners.
Il think that will take her." he said
at length. 81 will send for her this alter.
noon. and paying the price asked, which
was not large. he left the yard. followed
by the gaze OF the beast, whose instinct
readily recognized his kindness and hu-
manity, but not to comprehend that he
was to be her future master
1t was not quite dark when MIR. Hale
dispatched his Irish boy for his new pur-
chase, and for several weeks she was al
lowed TO remain quietly in the stable.
During this time Dennis worked artlu-
ously, under Mr.. IIale's direction in
cleaning the knots from her luxuriant
name, and brushing It's full waves 10 a
shining gloss. Her rough coat yielded
readily to high keeping and care, giving,
in itsjety blackness and silky soitness,
sure proof of good blood. 1t was eyi-
dent that she had always been ruled
through fear, but She was particularly
susceptible to kindness, and Mr.. Hale
thought what time could be spared from
duty and study well spent in teaching her
10 love and obey him. He called her
Psyche, and tie name seemed very ap-
propriate, for her slender form and ietty
blackncss, united with capricious grace
fulness made her much more beautiful
than her master had anticipated.
Dennis had been very indignant when
she fin came home. lie had boasted to
the neighboring boys of the splendid
creature" his master was about to pur-
chase, and his iirs. sight OF the Little
black devil" rs he called her, had sorely
yexed him But he soon became inter-
estcd in her, and as she grew in beauty
under his hands, his pleasure and his
pride knew no bounds.
He would follow her with his eyes, rs
Mr.. Hale drove away, and fairly capor
with delight. as after playful caracol-
ing she would spring off, throwing her
miles behind in fine style.
He taught her many tricks She would
carry and fetch his coat, when ordered.
One day the proycnder had not been Civ
en- her as usual to his great delight, he
found her tugging at the string of the
oat.bag. He was never weary of re-
counting her exploits TO her master, who
for his part found the exercise and ex.
citemcnt of driving her ladyship very
agreeable and beneficial, after the con.
finemcnt of the study, and for some time
the pleasure both experienced was unal.
loyed.
But trouble was brewing for Psyche,
who, to repay the kindness Of her mas
ter, put on thousand graceful airs, and
assumed dainty tread not at all minis
terial.
Martingale and check availed not; she
persisted in arching her neck, tossing her
name, and praDcing in very undignifed