The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-08-16
THE BLACK DECOY:
Or A Ride for Life.

II guess never told you about that
horse, did II" asked Major Maxwell. an
old veteran of the American war, as he
pointed out large black horse that was
quietly feeding in the pasture Just across
the road. ''That is the famous Black De-
coy; and he cost me an even thousand
dollars, to say nothing Of the vexation
and the peril attending his purchase.
II bought him out in the mountains.
1t was before the war. I had two good
armsthen, and this leg wasn't stick. /
was on escort duty. Something had hap
pened to some of the wagons, and tho
train lay in camp a day for repairs
Nearly all the boys went out after buffa-
loes, but my horse was lame, so l remain
ed in. camp.
"There was only one companionable
person left with me, and that was old
Jacob Stockton. He was going out to
Montana, to meet his daughter. He had
been in Montana for years, leaving his
child with friends in the East, and early
in the spring he went to visit her. He
found, however, that she had gone to visit
him, 50 he hurried back, and by chance
joined the train was escorting.
1--WE had become very good friends.
and at every opportunity 1 sought his
company, and was always we'll repaid.
ION that day l found him stretched at
full length under a tree, pulling away at
his old black pipe, and was soon an in
terested listener to the old gentleman's
tales Of travel and adventure.
''1n the midst of one of his most ex-
citing variations, he started unexpectedly
to his feet, exclaiming:
The Black Dccoy, as sure as live {!
wonder what ill-luck is coming to us
now?"
II quickly changed my recumbent po-
sition for one better suited for observa-
ton, and saw, coming towards camp, a
stranger riding one horse and leading an
other.
"There was nothing remarkable about
the stranger, nor the animal he rode; but
the led horse was the most perfect thing
in the way of horse-Aesh I ever saw.
was smitten at once. NV poor bay,
though he had served me faithfully for a
year or more; looked like an old cart
horse by the side OF the splendid black
nd decided at once that if this animal
could be bought for money, I would buy
him.
Don't do it, MAJOR said old Jacob,
although had not spoken word. Il
had rather see you astrde Bengal tiger
than that horse, with all its beauty
'''Beautyv I exclaimed. why, Mr..
Stockton, that word does not half express
1t. He is absolutely incompatible!
will give round thousand for Just that
black horse, and consider it cheap, too!'
"'Dont think of it, majorr cried the
old man, grasping my arm as rose to my
feet. I wouldn't ride nor own that
horse for the whole of Montana-no, not
if every stone were pure goldr
Pooh, my friend, you are wild! IW
ride him, and buy him, too, if can.
1.-THE old man shook his head.
Major, if you know when you are
well off, you'll not 90 nigh him.
So Your reasons, said I, half-vexed at
his superstitions.
81 have but one,' he replied solemnlv.
If you mount that horse you are no better
than dead man.
II laughed outright.
80 You have forgotten the text, Jacob
Death comes on a pale horse."'
80 Black or white, you will find it as I
say, major
"By this time the new conner was with
in speaking distance. hailed him, and
went out to where he stopped. TWAS no
hard matter to trade with him; and in
less than ten minutes I was leading the
horse away, and the seller was riding of
with thousand dollars added to his
pocket-money.
"Anxious to try my new purchase, /
saddled and bridled him, and mounted.
- Major! major! don't do it,
81 had forgotten old Jacob; but there
he stood holding the horse by the bride
"Major you will certainly ride to
your deathv
a was too much excited to pay any at.
tention to his words; and, touching tile
horse lightly with my sharp Mexican
spurs, lett the old man still talking tc
me.
MY beautiful black went cl,armingly
never had an easier seat; and neve,
saw horse that could get over the
ground: with less exertion. Twice one
thousand dollars would not have taken
him from me.
At the start l gave the horse free rein
and he took northerly course towards
the mountains. In this way rode sew
eral miles; but the nearness of the sun to
the zenith, and the admonitions of nv
inner man, reminded me that it was time
to return. I accordingly drew rein; but
instead Of wheeling about, the horse
broke into gallop, nearly unseating me