The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-01-31
A TRAINED HORSE.

I was nearly forty years of age, and
felt myself SO safely anchored IN the
peaceful haven of a bachelors life that
nothing would induce me to run the
risk of disturbing it by marriage. But l
had reckoned without the trumpeter's
horse.
It was at the end Of September, 1864,
that ] arrived at Paris from Baden,
intending only toremain four-and-twenty
hours. / had invited four or FIVE friends
to Join me in Potion for the hunting
season, ,.and, as they were to arrive at the
beginning of October, had only allowed
myself week at La Roche large to pre-
pare for their reception. A letter from
home awaited my arrival at Parls, bring
ing me the disastrous intelligence that
out of twelve horses five had fallen i'll or
lame during my stay in Baden, SO that I
was under the necessity of remounting
my cavalry before / left Paris.
/ made the round of all the horse
dealers of the Champs Elysees, where l
was shown a collection of screws, the
average price of which was Sl20, but /
was neither in a humor nor in cash to
throw away my money upon such use
less beasts. It was Wednesday, the day
of Cheri's autumn sale; went to the
Rue de Ponthieu, and purchased at
venture eight horses, which cost me all
together s200. "Out of the eight" said
j myself, there will be surely four or
five which will CO."
Among these horses there was one
which, confess, l bought principally on
account of his coat. The catalogue did
not assign him any special qualifications
as hunter. All that was stated was,
Brutus, a saddle-horse, aged, we'll
broken" 1t was large, dapple gray
horse, but never had 1 seen one better
marked, its smooth, white skin, dap
pied over with fine black spots SO regu-
larly distributed.
The next morning left for La Roche
large, and the following day my horses
arrived. My first 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 E.ark of respectable
age, q powerful shoulder, and he carried
his head we'll; but what most admired
in Brutus was the way in which he
looked at me, following every movement
with his active, intelligent, inquisitive
eye. Even my words seemed to interest
him; he leaned his head on one side as
if to hear me, and when had finished
speaking replied with merry neigh.
The other seven horses were brought out
to me in succession, but they resembled
any other horses, and Brutus certainly
was different from them all. l was
anxious to take a little ride in the
country, in order to make his ac-
quaintance.
Brutus allowed himself to be saddled,
bridled, and mounted as a horse who
knew his work, and we started quietly
together, the best friends possible. He
had beautiful mouth, and answered tc
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
letting them fall with the regularity of s
pendulum. / tried him at trot and s
short gallop, but when I sought t.
quicken his pace he began to amble il
grand style. "Ah.n said ] Il see how
it is; l have bought an horse ou
of the cavalry riding scho Saumur.'
was about to turn hon. ard, salts
fed with the talents of Brutus, when
shot was heard short distance off. L
was one of my keepers firing at rabbit
for which shot be it said, en- passant, b,
received handsome present from m,
wife. / was then exactly in the cente
of an open space where six long greer
roads meet. On hearing the shot Brutu
stopped short, and put his ears forward
in an attitude of attention. After tn
brilliant military education assumed
he had received in his youth, he must b
well accustomed to the report of gun
pressed my knees against him to max
him move on, but Brutus would not stir
/ tried to back him, to make him turn f
the right or to the left, but in vain.
made him feel my riding whip, but b
still was immovable Brutus was no
to be displaced; and yet do not smile
for mine is true history-each time
urged him to move the horse turned hi
head round, and gazed upon me with Al
eye expressive of impatience and SUI
prise, and then relapsed into his motion
less attitude. There waseyidently som
misunderstanding between me and m
horse. l saw it in his eyes. Brutu
was saying as plainly as he could witt
out speaking, 81, horse, do what Iough
to do; and you, horseman, do not pc
form your part"
Twas more puzzled than embarrassed
"What strange horse Cheri hs
sold me! and why does he look upon m
in such wayf' l was about to DR.
ceed to extremities and administer 1
him good thrashing, when another sh,
was fred.
The horse then made one bound.
thought had gained my point al
again tried to start him, but in val
He stopped short, and planted himse