Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-03-12


A NlSir TO Old .IouN HAppER-i oNo.
Louisville Courier-journal gives An account of
recent visit to Uncle John Harper. He
writes
"lu passing small !Gl, as We drove over to
I'll" "ld'fashionrd place where 'ncle John lives,
very hne horse came HdlloPing mp to the
irncr, with ears laid back, teeth show Ing
through his parted lips. Wheeling sudde mis-
he turned away from Us, AMI cIpering oil, re-
turned to repeat the menutvre over and over
again.
'lhals AL he'll do, said my companion, as
expressed some fear Of his lrapiug over the
FENCE; that's Old Eadorser, twenty-five years
Old, but as lively. as a COLT Just then we
caught sight OF broad blazed face over the hill,
aud on The &c pede Hercaiem principle, | kne v
IN moment IL belonged to Longfellow. As
soon as we drove over The intervening ridge
the great king Of the turf stood before us broad
side WIN hts magnihce 1t proportions gisteu-
ing Under the golden glory of the morning sun .
| Some Northern men were looking at him. aud
he Stood Ia front Of his Stable like the poet s
ideal vi horse carved ia fine flesh, transiused
with royal blood ami glol ious with silKen coat
There always seemed TO me TO be kindship
be- ween Robert L. Lee and Lonsfellow there
Is Inc same noble kindlincss, the same gentle
grandeur and the same lock Of quiet, mas
suming heroism about them. was never
more struck with il than on this ucaason--lhe
great horse stood asquirtly as il he knew his
worth aud knew that no ctlryoting or prancing
was needed Ia attract attention to himself buI
received III" homage .tf The visitors AS If il
were matter Of divine right while his fine
coIiltenance seemed 20 beam with plpaSrIr. , as
ne Was enabled To aiiuld them the enjoyment
they had come 50 lar 10 inh. IL Is no wonder
that Kentucky loves hun almost As She did her
clay ana hel liittendrn, for no one can APP
proacli him without feeling "A splntaeo,ls afi,c-
tlon which wells forth gladly and m,nplss
with IA" admiration his nobility engenders.-
Leaving linn We posted into the house, and
hlch To my surprise were met by Uncle John
harper himself al The door, looking almost as
Well "a he did year ago, when SAW him on
tue Lexington race track watching The fine
perform inco of Excel, a scion Of NanIura and
Endorser
had ihonglt him bed ridden And near
deaths door, hut he affirmed that he vas get
ting strong and hoped To he soon better than
he hal been before his sickness. lie conduct
ed lis 10 The roem where his bi other Jake and
his sister betsy had been so cruelty murdered
and sitting himselfby The odd fashioned he'd
stead, near the window where Jake had re-
ceived his death-blow, entered into cheerful
conyers alton with my companion From the
window OF the room, I,ongtellOw's stable is in
full view, and the OLD man may see his idol led
up and down the lot.
The Two Northern gentlemen came In while
we were sitting there and attempted
to compliment his horses, bu. they
could not feel Gf txpiess the enthusiasm of
| Ken,ncklans, aud Thought they had filled the
measure of their good VIII hy saving he was a
fine horse
lie old man took th3 words at their last
| valuation, and when they were gone, spoke in
terms OF tender eEdearment OF the noble son OF
Lexington, extolling his kindness and gentle
ness uutil could almost see a tear gather in
his aged oye.
lie has nothing 10 run now but Excel, VINO,
he says; is good horse AMI was badly rid
den last year. lie will let the boys try hun
| sgaln this Spring at Lexington, and maybe
he'll do leetle better $50 mote it be, say H.