Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-25
THE TRUMPETER,S HORSE.


Twas nearly forty, and felt myself 80 securely
anchored in my old bachelor erotchets that on
every occasion swore, with all sincerity and by
all the gods in the heather calendar, Il would
never take 70 single risk in the matrimonial lot
terry, bat i counted without the trumpeter's
IL was toward the last of September, 1864. I
was ON my way back from Baden-B Baden, and
intended TO spend. at most, day in Paris. I
had invited four or hve of ms friends for the
hunting season to my estate in Pitou. They
were to arrive in October, and at least q week
was necessary to make preparations at La Roche
large for their reception. A letter from nv
steward, that awaited me in Paris, brought me
1nweloome news NV hounds were all in good
condition, but i've of my twelve hunters had
either fallen sick Of some horse disorder, or had
become lame during my absence. Twas, there
others.
among the dealers, who showed me any number
OF ani1nals--some better, seine worse-that they
recommended as hunters, at a moderate price,
about 200 francs ON the average. / had eXpe-
rieneesi losses at Baden Baden, and conse-
quently was in no humor to spend seven or
eight hundred louis dor without nature DELHI
Grafton
Ii was Wednesday. Cheri, one Of the princi-
pal dealers, had his FIRST sale of the season.
without any further knowledge 81 the animals
he offered than what derived from the cata-
logue ana from their appearance, bought eight
for 1000 francs. Among them hoped to find
four or FIVE, at least, that would do for RELAYS
which would enable me to get through the sea-
Among nv purchases there was one horse that
bought almost solely on account of his color,
which was truly beautiful. The catalogue at
tributed no special qualifications to him for the
chase He was entered simply as 'sBratus, sad
e-horse, well buiit, thoroughly broken, age
unknown He was a beautiful dapple- gray,
large, and very Handsomely formed. The next
day went home, ana the day following early
In me forenoon, servant came and informed
me that the horses had arrived. I Immediately
went out TO see them. or, rather, TO see Brutus
for this handsome fellow had been in nv head
ever since ] bought him, and was singularly
impatient 10 hnd out what kind of a comrade he
was going to make, and what he was capable OF
doing.
had Linn brought cut Of the stable first. He
able age; but he was clean-liInbed, had very
handsome neck and head, a powerful shoulder
and weis-turned quarter. But Ii was not his
asthe intelligent manner with which he observed
al my movements. He even seemed TO be inter-
ested IN what said. He inclined his head toward
when had done speaking, he uttered a low
Whinny, seemingly in response. looked at the
other horses hastily. They were ordinary ami
thousands OF Others. Not 40 With Bratus. 'iH He
certainly differed widely from the vulgar herd
And Iva impatient To make little tour through
TO be saddled, bridl, q and mounted like a horse
that knows his business, and we set out IN the
best possible humor with each other.
Brutus was exceedingly well broken; indeed, he
was too well broken Tor nav purposes. He would
give me a slow trot or gaflop at call, but would
~ strke the ground with his fore feet
nm raise his head. which he carried very low
ne would nearly tear nv arm of. Finally, he
seoa 70 praneing IN grand style, like show horse
'Humph," said to myself, 81 have here. or
am greatly in error, old sta2er from the
ridlng-sehool of Saumur or ST. Cyr. He viii
nave IA n lfh fa.,o
before he will do for the chase"
was about % return home, having sufficiently
accomplishments, when heard the report of a
gun, dischar ged apparently within twenty wards
OF me- IL was one of my keepers shooting a
hare, and who subsequently received a hand
some present for the shot from INV wife
i was at the NON mt, exactly in the center OF
an open space, formed by the junction OF six
report OF the gun he stopped short, planted his
feet firmly in the sand. pricked up his ears AMI
raised his head high in the air. L was surprised
TO see him 81 disturbed by the report of fire
erAl education he had received in his youth no
amount Of firing would have even excited his
IN order to urge him forward; but Brutus re-
fused 70 bulge. tried toturn him to the right,
70 the left-not foot would he move. He stool
ike statute, and nevertheless-you need not
laugh, for be assured what i am telling Won il
strictly trne-3nd. nevertheless, at every effort
i made to induce him to go on, he would turn
eNDreSSiOH
impatienee and surprise, then he would relaps,
into his statue-like immobility. There was
clearly some misunderstanding between u.s. for
oss ysry sbs hyr. in h b; samces that
you, the cavalier. do not do yours"
was more puzzled than angtred.
"What manner of beast IL this that have
bought OF Cherie'' said To mvseif land VIII
does he look at me i'm this queer way?.'
was on the point or having recourse to ex-
IRENE measares-that j., TO adm Mister a shower
hfnvr- WI M linz wf,f
when We heard another shot-Brutis and Lat
which he made one bound and only one. All
NV enieavors TO induce Hmm to 90 on were fruit
less tie painted his feet anew in the sand and
more firmly, il possible, than at first. began
nov To get ont OF patience, and as a consequence
Ia riv my whip; but Brutus also lost patience,
and lnstes Il OF submitting tamely to the punish
M MT ] Inflicted, he reared and pitched AMI
\ icksd IN O. e most furioas manner Imaginable
But " me the battle was at It's height. and was
dealing him heavy blows with the loaded handle |
d my whip, he found time TO give me look, |
and now and then full, not only Of Indignation, 1
but Of surprise. 1t was plain that, while de- |
manded or the horse what he refused he ex-
pected something from me that did not do.
And how, think you, did this end? To nv
hame-my great shame, 1 was ANONYMOUSLY |
Brutus, it seem III, came to |
the conclusion that nothing was 10 be effected |
by violence, and that he must change his tactics
Aner moments pause, which was certainly
All, not on his hind but on his fore feet. ami |
That, too. with as much calmness and address as
. Clown Walks on his hands. OF course, Slid i
nown over his head into the sand which fortan-
Ateiy, was tolerably deep.
tried 70 rise, but one Of my legs refused 70
no M service; uttered a cry or pain and fell |
To- ward nat into the sand. had ruptured one /
d. the smaller tendons Of nv right leg which,
though nor very serious matter cansed me |
great pain whenever attempted TO stir Never |
Eheless, succeeded In turning over and sitting /
np, but at the nom Mt when began to rub NV l
fyes which were full OF sand. and to wonder
, hat had become OF my rsscally dapple- gray I /
,aw horse foot descend on ms head then che
loot was placed g ntly against my breast, and /
, as stretched out again on the sand, this time /
pm my back.
4 was now, and very naturally too, I think.
frightened, and more, i felt that II would be use
less TO make any further effort. L therefore re-
NAMED quietly IN my back, asking myself once
more, what manner OF beast this vss hat had
Fought from Cheri; at the Same time closed
NV ewes and awaited death for expected to be
killed. But. instead Of receiving my coop De |
ysdee, suddenly heard Q strange Stamping in
ne sand, and, at the same time, quantity OF l
MI ana xravct-ssones struck ne In the face. I i
psLed my eyes. and 10, there was Brutus, using |
ID four feet with wonderful address, endeavor- |
nc % cover me up in the sand. He vas doing |
is bot, the dear fellow, and every now and
hen he you'd pause To see what proGese he vas |
aAking, then ne would rise his head i've ex- |
ression to his self-saftsfacfon In . low vhinnv |
nd resume his work. This continued four OF
We minutes, when, hicking me, Doubtless, |
f<IcfeufIv eovored he ors1ROach ma 4