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

/ was looking one day at print of q
countryman selling horse, which was
hung up in the cafe of small auberge
where I was seated in company with an
intelligent young man, who said to me,
"That print reminds me of the inter
esting story connected with tit hap
pened at a fair in this place few years
ago."
pressed him to relate it to me, and
ordered in bottle of the best Bor-
deaux in the house, to show my sense
of his courtesy.
One gloomy autumn evening, two per-
sons were seated, silent and sad, before
an immense hearth, the fire gradually
becoming extinct pale and uncertain
light was in the room; an instanta-
neous brighter light at times reflected
on those countenances they glanced
from one to the other, and during those
momentary coruscatioDs one would
have said, looking at them, that two
spectres had come there to warm their
limbs, chilled by the icy GOODNESS of the
tomb.
A clock sounded-the man started,
then sighed heavily. He was man in
the prime of life with manly features,
stalwart frame, and an ardent, search
ing eye.
Catherine" said he, with an effort,
after he had regarded his wife's suffer-
ing countenance few seconds. "It is
time-it is the Angolus."
She started in her turn.
Eth what, already?" said she.
And both again relapsed into that 81
lent thoughtfulness. The neighing of
horse was heard. The woman gave a
couvulsive movement, sighed heavily,
and placed her handkerchief before her
eyes.
"Poor Bretonne p said she, and
burst into tears. "Poor Bretonne we
must separate, and never see her
more !"
eyes," said the man, in mournful
tone, "to.morrow she will have another
master, and even now she does not be-
long to me. Pierre Marcel, whom
heaven confound, is there waiting for
her. Hated Norman Poor beast,
after having done me so much service,
and escaped the perils of twenty cam
paigns, you are to become the property
of that Norman horse dealer"
"No, by Heaven he shall not have
thee yet," said he, sorrowfully, to his
wife "what am to do? I must pay
him. I believe in my soul that the old
sorcerer has cast spell over me Out
of the eight fine horses that I bought
from the last fair, six are dead of the
epidemic I was compelled to sell the
other two at less than gave for them,
to meet my engagements. Poor Bre-
tonne alone remains to pay my debt to
the old miser, who laughs at my feel
ings. Oh, I hate him /"
The man put on his large felt hat,
lighted his pipe, and proceeded to the
stable.
The mare, at the sight of her master,
neighed, and turned round as if to ca
ress him. He saddled her in silence,
tied knot of straw to her tail, and
putting on the bride, led her out OF
the stable, endeavoring to move of
without being noticed but his wife
and children were at the door; they
wept over the poor beast, which seemed
to recognize and return their fondnesses
The father, with his hand resting or
her name, silently contemplated the
touching scene. In q moment he ex
claimed, "Away, children, be off !" an(
mounted the mare, and like man whC
had suddenly taken desperate resolu
ton, set off at gaIiop.
He came to the high road, when {
long string of horses passed, led b.
Pierre Marcel, who, when he perceived
the other unhappy householder, said
in q mocking tone, "Ha, jerome hal
brought me the old Bretonne, to square
our accounts"
"No, old robber, would rather Civ,
her for nothing to some other person.
every we'll, then, thou hast brough
me thine own body; for have war
rant against thee, and the mare or thy
self this day am determined to have.
"Neither one nor the other, I hope,
and jerome passed the old householder
who chuckled and cracked his whil
most maliciously.
Horses arrived at the fair in grea
numbers. Jerome stood at the head o
his mare, awaiting the inspection of th
knowing looking buyers who passe'
between the rows of horses that wer
drawn mp in close array but all pass
ed old Bretonne with indifference fo
the poor beast had dull eye, and al
together very unprepossessing ap
pearance. Some few opened her mouth