The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-01-24
LITERARY
The Trumpeter's Horse,

Prom the London Society.
l was nearly 40 years of age, and felt
myself so safely anchored in the peace
able haven of bachelors life that moth
in would induce me to run the risk of dis
turbing it by marriage. But had reckoned
without the trumpeter's horse.
1t was the end of September, 1864, that
l arrived at Paris from Baden, intending
only to remain four and- twenty hours. l
had invited four or five friends to join me
in Poitou for the hunting season, and, as
they were to arrive at 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 I was
under the necessity of rcmounting my
cavalry before left Paris.
| made the round Of all the horse-dea
lers of the champs Elysees, where | was
shown collection of screws, the average
price of which was e120; but | neither
was in humer nor in cash to throw away
my money upon such useless beasts. 1t
was a Wednesday, the day of Cherie 5
autumn sale; / went to the Rue de Pom
thieu, and purchased at a venture eight
horses, which cost me altogether f2O0.
'Out of the eight said l to myself,
'there will be surely four or five which
will 60"
Among these horses there was one
which, | confess, | bought principally on
account of his coat, The catalogue did
not assign to him any special qualifica-
tons as u hunter All that it stated was,
"Brutus, saddle-horse, aged, well
broken" II was a large dappled gray
horse, but never had | seen one better
marked, its smooth white skin dapped
over with fine black spots so regularly
distributed.
The next morning 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 fortv-eight hours in ing head, and
was anxious to try his PAGES, and see
what he was good for. He had long
teeth, and every mark of a respectable
age, a powerful shoulder, and he carried
his head we'll; but what | most admired
in Brutis was the way in which he looked
at me, following every movement with his
attentive inteligcnt,i eye Even
my words seemed 10 interest him, he
leant his head to one side as If to hear
me, and when had finished speaking.re
piled with merry neigh. The other
seven horses were brought out to me In
succession, but they rcsembed any other
horses, and Brutus certainly WAS different
from them all. was anxious to take n
little ride in the country, in order to make
his acquaintance.
Brutus allowed himself to be saddled.
bridled, and mounted as horse who
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 hi, bit His PAGES were
perfect; he began by slow measured
canter, raising his i1et very high, and let
ting them fall with the regularity of a
pendulum. Itrit him at a trot and a
short yallop, but when sought 70 quick
en- his pace he began II amble in grand
style. ..Ah." said |. see how it IS; l
have bought IN old horse out of the cav
airy riding school at Saumur.
WAS about to turn homewartis. salts
fed with the talents Il Brutus, when a
shot was heard a shore distance of II
WAS one OF M Keepers firing at . rabbit.
Tor which shot he il said, en- passaat, he
atterward received handsome present
from my wife was then exactly IN the
centre 81 an open space where six long
srrecn roads met On hearing the shoi
Bru.us stopped short, and put his ears
forward in an attitude OF attention. | was
surprised to see him 81 impressionahle
After the brilliant military career | as
sumcti he had received in his youth he
must Ne we'll accustomed 10 the report OF
gun pressed my knees against him
10 make him move on. but Brutus would
no; stir | tried 10 back him. to make
him turn IA the right OF 10 the left, but IN
vain. | made him teel my riding whip,
bu. still he WAS immovaese. Brutus WAS
not to be displaced; and yei-do no;
smile, for mine i true history-esch
tine urged him to move the horse turn
cd his head round. and gsxed upon ne