Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-06-17

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Some few opened her mouth but on
day advanced, and the fair began to be
less crowded anxiety, Impotence, and
despair were successfully depicted on
Jerome's face With his eyes bent
down, and his arms folded, he thought
ofhis unhappy family. When he raised
his head, he saw Pierre Marcel standing
before him, with smile Of dlabollcal
expression.
"Ah, all p 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"
sNot yet, said Jerome, in a mourn
full voice cit is still an hour before
sunset"
Very WELL" retorted Pierre, 1 will
return, and know an amateur who will
make thee sell her."
"Who, then?" demanded Jerome.
"Parblew p said Pierre, "a bailiff !!
With him one is sure not to find 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 shall ex-
pect the mare or my money, or, IT thou
lkest better, thyself. .
Jerome tried different parts Of the
fair, but he 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; a man was standing be-
fore him: it was again the Norman
horse dealer, 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 fend in his manner.
"Come, come p said Pierre; " [ am
not so bad as thou thinkest me, The
animal is good, though rather old; she
has been valuable in her day.
a "Parblew! the best trotter IN the
s country, and the pearl of the regiment. ,
o eyes, yes,' said Pierre Z" 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 7
said Jerome; "must | sell her fo1
v twelve louis? The mare that carried
me through all my campaigns, and has
d never belonged to another man
< "Twelve louis! said jerome, agar
G striking his forehead.
"Not a penny more-but we vii
have a drink together. Come p and
o the old jocly held out his dry, wrinkle6
|, hand.
e "Twelve louis p repeated Jerome
V with mournful sigh.
"Not a sou more" said Pierre
e decide at once whether / must order
t the auctioneer to sell her or not"
); "Well !''-and the soldier made an
d effort to look unconcerned-"poo.
8 beastr' said he-and he caressed Bre
tonne are we to separate thus?'
. "Come, come, Jerome = sale
Y Pierre; edo not weep; If thou pre-
ferest thy mare to thy family, keep her
T will take thy cottage"
. Jerome turned toward Pierre, looked
y at him scornfully, and raised his hand
"Strike p said the other, with = ban
tering air.
The arm was balanced in the air, anC
!, ready to fall it stopped short.
loOA
ed he, in a muttering voice. -
IN o more" said Pierre, with grea
indifference.
+ He was about to accept the offer
y when manly voice called out, [ will
p give fifteen for her,
! Jerome and Pierre looked up.
f gentleman stood near them his blacl
cravat, blue riding coat, with rec
! ribbon attached to the button hole, tolC
O that he was a soldier.
= "Fifteen p exclaimed Pierre, no long
er smiling.
I Eyes, fifteen," repeated the gentle
p man with the red ribbon is it toe
: much for the charger of an old soldier
y who has seen service %
p g What my commandment =
:; stammered Jerome, touching his hat
: "you know Bretonne ?"
!, "And her rider, Jerome Kerlee of thu
y Fifth Chasseurs," said the gentleman
"Ah what p added he, in grave tone
q "thou thinkest, then, to part from tina
$ poor BEAST
v cit must be so,' said Jerome, hold
4 ing down his head, and signing. Sc
+ noble, so brave an animal Is it MOI
+ true, my major ?" exclaimed tie ole
e soldier, addressing the officer boldly
q 'You know her-who has not known
: her? Never stumbling over the balls
!, on the field of battle, dashing forward
q in face Ct the lannon's mouth, crossing
: rivers like fish. And SO intelligent
knowing the enemy a league off, ma
neuvering under me when [ was toe
e heavily pressed-good, faithful, loving
beast. When [ was endorsed and left
for dead on the field at Eylau, she re
/, NAMED by my side, licked my wound,
and, by kicking, kept off the wolves
and the next day, by her neighing,
f called some one to my assistance.
r Jerome could not continue the idea Of
= their approaching separation stopped
= him. He was silent for moment
! 6 Take her, my major, take her you
know her and will take care of her