Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-06-27

tience, and despair were successfully
depicted on Jerome's face. With his
eyes bent down, and his arms folded,
he thought of his unhappy family.
When he raised his head, he saw Pierre
Marcel standing before him, with a
smile of diabolical expression.
"Ah, ah |" said he, "it seems there
are not many connoisseurs in horse
flesh here to-day, and the mare has a
prospect of belonging to me-"
"Not yet," said Jerome, in mourn
full voice "it is still an hour before
sunset"
every well," retorted Pierre, "I
will return, and know an amateur who
Will make thee sell her."
"Who, then ?" demanded Jerome.
"Parbleu !" said Pierre, ga bailiff !
With him one is sure not to fail in find
ing ready purchaser.
Jerome, in an agony of rage, struck
the ground with the end of his whip.
"Gently, Master jerome, gently"
replied the malignant Pierre. 81 will
return in half an hour, when I shall
expect the mare or my money, or, if
thou likest better, thyself."
jerome tried different parts of the
fair, but be spoke to the dealers in vain;
some offered him the amount of his
debt to Pierre, others looked at the
mare, shrugged their shoulders, and
made no offer at all.
He returned to his station sad and
melancholy man was standing be-
fore him it was again the Norman
householder, with his sardonic smile.
"Well, Jerome" said the old man.
"can we now deal? The hour is near. +"
"It must be So" said Jerome, with
much of the fend in his manner.
"Come, come !" said Pierre, 81 am
not so bad as thou thinkest me. The
animal is good, though rather old she
has been valuable in her day."
"Parbleu the best trotter in the
country, and the pearl of the regiment" I"
eyes. yes," said Pierre " that was
her character fifteen years ago since
then it is somewhat changed. Come,
Jerome thou owest ten louis-I will
give thee twelve. Is the beast mine ?"
"Twelve louis ! My poor mare r'
said Jerome; "must 1 sell her for
twelve louis The mare that carried
me through all my campaigns, and has
never belonged to another man
Twelve louis !" said Jerome, again
striking his forehead.
"Not a penny mole-but we will
have drink together Come !" and the
old jockey held out his dry, wrinkled
hand.
"Twelve louis p repeated Jerome,
uith q pon11rpf fIr1 siUh
"Not q sou more," said Pierre !;
"decide at once whether I must order
the auctioneer to sell her or not"
"Well !'-and the soldier made an
effort to look unconcerned-"p poor
beast !" said he-and he carressed Bre-
tonne" are we to separate thus ?"
"Come, come, jerome p said Pierre;
"do not weep; if thou preferrest thy
mare to thy family, keep her; I will
take thy cottage"
Jerome turned toward Pierre, looked
at him scornfully, and raised his hand.
"Strike /" said the other, with ban
tering air.
The arm was balanced in the air, and
ready to fall; it stopped short.
"Twelve louis poor beast |" re-
peated he, in a muttering voice.
"No MORE" said Pierre, with the
greatest San9trOid.
He was about to accept the offer, when
o manly voice called out, "I will give
fifteen for her."
Jerome and Pierre looked up. A
gentleman stood near them his black
cravat, blue riding-coat, with red rib
bon attached to the button-hole, told
that he was soldier.
"Fifteen !" exclaimed Pierre, but no
longer smiling.
eyes. Fifteen" repeated the gentle
man with the red ribbon sis it too
much for the charger of an old soldier,
who has seen service ?"
"What my capt-commandan |"
stammered jerome, touching his hat !;
"you know Bretonne ?"
"And her rider, Jerome Kerlee, of
the Fifth Chasseurs," said the gentle
man. "Ah what !" added he, in a
grave tone. "thou, thinkest, then, to
part from the poor beast ?"
cit must be so" said Jerome, hold
ing down his head, and signing. $50
noble, SO brave an animal! Is it not
true, my major?" exclaimed the old
soldier, addressing the officer boldly.
"You know her-who has not known
her? Never stumbling over the balls
on the field of battle, dashing forward
in face of the cannon's mouth, crossing
rivers like fish. And so intelligent
knowing the enemy league of,
maneuvering under me when was too
heavily pressed-good, faithful, loving
beast. When / was unhorsed and left
for dead on the field at Eylau, she re-
mained by my side, licking my wound,
and, by kicking, kept off the wolves |;
and the next day, by her neighing,
called some one to my assistance. :"
Jerome could not continue the idea of
their approaching separation stopped
him. He was silent for a moment
"Take her, my major. take her you
know her, and will take care of her
take her."
"Fcr fifteen louis ?" said the major.
"For fifteen louis" said Jerome.
The old horse dealer made horrible
grimace.
"You see, major" said Jerome, clap
ping her on the back, " she is still an
excellent beast Perhaps she may
grieve for the loss of her master"
He proceeded to remove the straw
from the mares tail. During that time,
the major said few words to the old
Jockey, in an almost inaudible voice.
every well, sir" said Pierre, "it
shall be done. This Jerome, continued
he, els in luck-Da0 .foi, it is q good
thing for him.
Jerome followed his former officer,
received the fifteen louis, and after
eYae Lino I;tI1a ohn11t tho old rao;