The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-06-20

purchaser"
Jerome, III an agony of rage, struck
the ground with the end of his whip.
"Gently, Master jerome, gently"
replied the malignant Pierre. Il will
return in half an hour, when | shall ex-
pect the mare Or my money, or, IT thou
Ikest better, myself"
Jerome tried different parts of the
fair, but he spoke to the dealers III
vain some offered him the amount of
his debt to Pierre, others looked at the
mare, shrugged their shoulders, and
made 10 offer at all
He returned to his station sad and
melancholy; a 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"
cit must be So" said jerome, with
much of the fiend in his manner
Come, come p said Pierre l am
not SO bad as thou thinkest me. The
animal is good, though rather old she
has been valuable III her day"
Parblew the best trOtter i'll the
country, and thepearl of the regiment. .
Eyes, yes, sad 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 q
Twelve louis ! My poor mare y
said Jerome; Unjust | sell her for
twelve louis? The mare that carried
me through all my campaigns, and has
never belonged to another man !
"Twelye louis y said jerome, again
striking his forehead.
"Not a penny more-but we will
have drink together Come y and
the old iocky held ont his dry, wrinkled
hand
"Twelve louis - repeated Jerome,
with a mournful sigh.
"Not sou more" said Pierre,
decide at once whether | must order
| the auctioneer to sell her or not. D."
"Well and the soldier made an
effort to look unconcerned-" poor
beast y said he-and he caressed Bre-
tonne. are we to separate thus?'
"Come, come, Jerome !" said
Pierre; "do not weep; if thou pre-
ferest thy mare to thy family, keep her
| 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 i'll the air, ant
ready to fall it stopped short.
"Twelve louis poor beast !" repeat
ed he, in mutterIng voice.
"No more" said Pierre, with grea
Indifference.
He was about to accept the offer
when a manly voice called out, | vii
give fifteen for her. D."
Jerome and Pierre looked up. 4
gentleman stood near them his blacl
cravat. blue riding coat, with rec
ribbon attached to the ton-hOle, toll,
that he was a soldier.
Fifteen = exclaimed Pierre, no long
CT smiling.
i . Yes, fifteen, repeated the gentle
man with The red ribbon is 1t toe
much for the charger of an old soldier
who has seen service
" What my capt-commandant !.
stammereu Jerome. touching his hat
"you know Bretonne ?
"And her rider, Jerome kerlee OF tn
Fifth Chasseurs, said the gentleman
"Ah what - added he, ina grave tone
ssIr--- 4l:,1-oet thnn to part from tina
\ poor beast.
= 1t must be 50, said Jerome, hold
ing down his head, and signing IS,
noble, so brave an animal Is it no
true. my major q exclaimed the ole
soldier, addressing the officer boldly
You know her-who has not knowl
her? Never stumbling over the ball
4 e 10
IN face Ct the cannon mouth, crossing
rivers like a fish And so intelligent
knowing the enemy a league of, ma
neuvering under me when [ was to,
heavily pressed faithful, loving
beast When | was endorsed and lief
for dead ON the field at Eylau, she IL
manned by my side, licked 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 O
their approaching separation stopped
! HIM He was silent for a moment
g Take her, my major, take her you
know her and will take care of her
take her.
For fifteen louis o. SAID the major
For fifteen louis" said jerome.
The old horse dealer made horrible
grlmace.
"You see, major, said jerome, slap
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
iocknv, in an almost inaudible voice.
VERY well, sir" said Pierre, lit
shallb done. ThisJeromc," continued
he. "is in luck-D1a .foi, it IS a good
thing for him.
Jerome followed his corner officer,
received the fifteen lois, and after
speaking a little about the old regi-
ment, fastened to pay his stern cred
itor and give up his poor mare-a mat
ter which drew more than one tear from
the eyes of the old soldier. Then, after
shaking hands with the major, he pro-
ceeded homeward without Bretonne,
but with some louis in his pocket.
He walked on, thinking about his old
and faithful companion, who had many
times saved his life-then stopped a
minute-put his hands to his eyes, and
wept like child.
He had walked about an hour, when
the trotting of horse reused him from
his revery. He listened. "Itis singu-
lar" said he to himself, 9" should say
that that was the trot of Bretonne. y
He heard neighing-he stopped
turned round-the animal approached.
What was his surprise 1t was Bre-