Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-20
The Trumpeter's Horse,

myself so safely anchored in the peace
able haven of a bachelors life that moth
in would induce me to run the risk OF dis
turbing it by marriage. But had reckoncd
without the trumpcter's horse.
1t was the end of September, 1864, that
arrived at Paris from Baden, intending
only to remain four-and-twcnty hours. l
had invited four or five friends to join me
in Poitou for the hunting season, and, as
they were to arrive ut the beginning OF
October, [ had only allowed myself a
week at La Roche large to prepare for
for the reception. A letter from home
awaited my arrival at Paris, bringing me
the disastrous intelligence that out OF
twelve horses five had fallen i'll or lame
during my stay at Baden, SO that | was
under the necessity OF remounting my
cavalry before / left Paris.
| made the round Of all the horsc-dea-
lers OF the champs Elysccs, where | was
shown a collection Of screws, the average
price of which was e12O; but neither
was in Il humer nor in cash to throw away
my money upon such useless beasts. 1t
was "a Wednesday, the day of Cherries
autumn sale went to the Rue de Pom
thieu, and purchased at a venture eight
HOISCS, WHICH COSL illc dllOScluCl Lew,
"Out of the eight" said | to myself,
there will be surely four or five which
will CO."
Among these horses there was one
which, | confess, bought principally OH
account of his coat, The catalogue did
not assign to him any special quaifca-
tons as hunter. All that it stated was,
''Brutus, saddlc-horsc, aged, we'll
broken" 1t was a large dappled gray
horse, but never had l seen one better
marked, its smooth white skin dapplcd
over with fine black spots SO regularly
distributed.
The next morning I left for La Roche
large, and the following day my horse
arrived. My fist care was for Brutus
This gray horse had been running for the
last forty eight hours in my head, and /
was anxious to try his PAGES, and see
what he was good for. He had long
teeth, and every mark of respectable
age, q powerful shoulder and he carried
his head well; but what [ most admired
IN Brutis was the way in which nc looked
1T me, following every movement with his
attentive, intelligent inquisitive eye. Even
my words seemed to interest him; he
leant his head to one side as if to hear
me, and when ! had finished spcaking,rc
piled with y merry neigh. The other
seven horses were brought out to me IN
succession, but they rcsembled any other
horses, and Brutus certainly was different
from them all was anxious to take q
little ride in the country, in order to make
his acquaintance.
Brutus allowed himself to be saddled,
ND l,l
knew his work, and we started quietly
together, the best friends possible. He
had beautiful mouth, and answered to
every turn OF the rein, arching his neck,
and champing his bit. His PAGES were
perfect; he began by slow measured
canter, raising his feet very high, and let
ting them fall with the regularity of
pendulum. tried him at a trot and a
short gallop but when sought to quick
en- his pace he began to amblc in grand
style. "Ah," said |, Isec how it is; 1
have bought an old horse out of the cav
airy ridingschool at Saumur."
was about to turn homewards, salts
fed with the talents of Brutus, when a
shot was heard II short distance off 1t
was one of my keepers firing at rabbit,
for which shot be it said, en- PEASANT, he
afterward received a handsome present
from my wife. | was then exactly in the
centre of an open space where six long
green roads met. On hearing the shot
Brutus stopped short, and put his ears
forward in an attitude OF attention. was
surprised to see him so imprcssionable.
After the brilliant military career as
sumcd he had received in his youth he
must be well accustomed to the report OF
gun. | pressed nay knees against him
to make him move on, but Brutus would
not stir. tried to back him, to make
him turn to the right or to the left, but in
vain. made him feel my riding whip,
but still he was immovablc Brutus was
not to be displaced; and yet-do not
smile, for mine is q true history-cach
time | urged him to move the horse turn
ed his head round, and gazed upon me
with an eye expressive of impaticncc and
surprise, and then relapsed into his mo-
tionless attitude. There was evidently
some misunderstanding between me and
my horse. saw it in his eyes. Brutus
was saying as plainly as he could without
speech: II, horse, do what I ought to
do; and you, horseman, do not perform
your part"
WIS more puZzlcd than embarrassed.
"What strange horse Cheri has sold me!
and why does he look upon me in such a
way?" was about to proceed to cxtrem-
tiles, and administer to him a good
thrashing, when another shot was fired.
The horse then made one bound.
thought had gained my point, and
again tried to start him, but in vain. He
stopped short, and planted himself more
resolutely than ever. then got into a
rage, and my riding whip entered into
play; l took it in both hands, and struck
the horse right and left. But Brutns, too
lost patience, and finding passive resist
ance unavailing, defended himself by rear
ing, kicking, and plunging; and in the
midst OF the battle, while the horse ca
pered and kicked, and I, exasperated, was
logging him with the loaded butt lend of
my broken whip, Brutus nevertheless