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

L was lOOklng one Gay du Il rr1Ht OF Il
country-man selling a horse, which was
hung up in the cafe of small auber9e
where | 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 fair in this place a few
years ago.
| pressed him to relate it to me, and
ordered in bottle of the best Bordeaux
i'll the house, to show my sense of his
courtesy.
One gloomy autumn evening, two
persons were seated, silent and sad
before an immense hearth, the fire
gradually becoming extinct; a very
pale and uncertain light was in the
room ; an instantaneous brighter light
at times reflected on those countenances
they glanced from one to the other, and
during these momentary coruscations
one would have said, looking at them,
that two spectres had come there to
warm their limbs, chilled by the icy
coldness of the tomb.
A clock sounded-the man started,
and then sighed heavily. He was a
man in the prime of life; with manly
features, stalwart frame, and an ardent,
searching eye.
Catherine, " said he, with an effort,
after regarded his wife s suffering coun-
tenance few seconds. at is time
it is the Angelus.
She started in her turn
" Eth what, already ?" said she
silent thio5nnghtfnlness The neighing
Of horse was heard. The woman
gave convulsiye movement, sighed
heavily, and placed her handkerchief
before her eyes.
Poor Bretonne Y said she, and
burst into tears. Poor Bretonne we
must separate, and never see her
morer"
Yes, sad the man, III a mOurnful
tone, tomorrow 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 periis of twenty cam
paigns, you are to become the property
Of that Norman horse-dealer
"No, 10y heaven. he shall not have
thee yet, said he, sorrowfully to his
wife; ''What am | to do? / must pay
him. | believe i'll my soul that the old
sorcerer has cast a spell over me Out
Of the eight fine horses that | bought
from the fair, six are dead from the
epidemic; | was compelled to sell the
other two for less than | gave for thcm,
to meet my engagements. Poor Bre-
the old miser, who laughs ut my feel
ings. Oh, | hate him p
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 wisp of straw to her tail, and
putting on the bride, led her out of
the stable, endeavoring to move off
without being noticed /; but his wife
aud children We're at the door they
wept over the poor beast, who seemed
to recognize and return then fondness-
es. The father, with his hand resting
on her name, silently contemplated the
touching scene. In a moment he ex-
claimed, q" Away, children, be Off"
and mounted the mare and like a man
who had suddenly taken a desperate
set off at gallop.
He came to the high road when a
long string of horses passed, led by
Pierre Marcel, who, when he perceived
the other unhappy householder, said,
in a mocking tone, Ha, Jerome has
brought me old Bretonne, to square our
accounts"
NO, old robber, would rather give
her for nothing to some other person.
very well, then, thou hast brought
me thine own body | have a warrant
against thee. and the mare or thyself
this day l am determined to have.
"Neither one nor the other. / hope,
and Jerome passed the old householder,
who chuckled and cracked his whip
most maliciousIy.
Horses arrived at the fair in great
Jerome stood at the head of
MS mare. awaiting Tue Inspection Oh tilt
knowing looking buyers who passed |
the rows of horses that were
drawn up in close array but all passed |
DID Bretonne with Indifference for the |
poor beast had dull eye, and altogeth-
er a very unprepossesslng appearance. !
Some few opened her mouth but on
examining her age, passed on. 1he |
lay advanced, and the far began 20 be |
less crowded anxiety, lmpatlence, and |
despair were successfully depicted on
Ierome's face. With his eyes bent I
Town, and his arms folded, he thought |
ofhis unhappy family When he raised
Ms head, he saw Pierre Marcel standing |
before him, with smile Of diabolical
" Ali, ah = said he. 1T seems there
IRE not many connoissenrs III horse
iesh here to-day, and the mare has
of belonging to me.
Not yet, said Jerome, III mourn
III voice sit is still an hour before
sunset"