The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-02-27
Tn. Black Dee.y; o.. . Ride For Lac

Tho Black Deeey; Or . Ride For Lie
Il guess / never told you about
that horse, did / ?" asked Major Max
well, an old veteran of the American
war, as be pointed out large black
horse that was quietly feeding in the
pasture just across the road. THAI
is the famous Black Decoy; and be
cost me an even thousand dollars
to say nothing of the vexation and
the peril attending his purchase.
81 bought him ou. in the mount.
aims. 1t was before the war. l had
!, two good arms then, and this leg
wasn't stick. was on escort du'
ty. Something had happened to
some of the wagons, and the train
lay in camp day for repairs. Near
lily all the boys went out after buffs'
loes, but my horse was lame, 80 re-
mained in camp.
"There was only one companion
able person left with me, and be was
old Jacob Stockton. He was going
out to Montana, to meet his daugh-
ter. He had been in Montana fol
years. leaving his child with friends
in the East, and early in the spring
be went to visit her. He found how
ever, that she had gone to visit him,
so he hurried back, and by chance
jolned the train l was escorting.
1--WE had become very good friends,
and at every opportunity | sought
his company. and was always well
repaid.
"On that day | found him stretch
ed at full length under a tree, pull
ling away at his old black pipe.
followed his example, excepting the
pipe, and was an interested listner
to toe old gentleman's tales of travel
and adventure.
.In the midst of one of his most
exciting narrations, he started unex-
pectedly to his feet, exclaiming:
'The Black Decoy, as sure as
live | wonder what ill-luck is COM
ing to US now ?"
81 quickly changed my recumbent
position, for one better suited for OBJ.
servstion, and saw, coming towards
camp, stranger riding one horse and
leading another.
There was nothing remarkable
about the stranger, nor the animal
be rode; but the led horse was the
most perfect thing in the way OF
horse-fesh | ever saw. | was smit-
ten at once. My poor bay, though
he had served me faithfully for a
year or more, looked like cart horse
by the side of this splendid black;
and / decided at once that il this an
imal could be bought for money, |
would buy him.
Don't do it, major" said old Js-
cob, although l had not spoken q
word 81 had rather see you astride
a Bengal tiger, than that horse, with
all bis beauty"
Beauty ?" l exclaimed. "Why,
Mr.. Stockton. that word does not
half express it. He is absolutely in
comparable l win give a round
thousand for just that black horse,
and consider il cheap, toop'
Don't think of it major !" cried
the old man, grasping my arm as /
rose to my feet. 81 wouldn't ride
nor own that horse for the whole Of
Montana-no, not if every stone
were pure gold ?"
"Poob, my friend, you are wild
I'll ride him, and buy him, too, if |
can.n
"The old man shook his head"
Major, if you know when you are
well off, you'll not go nigh him."
"Your reasons" said /, half vexed
at his superstitions.
81 have but one," he replied sol.
emnly: "If you mount that horse,
you are no better than dead man"
81 laughed outright"
"You have forgotten the text, ia.
cob; Death comes Old pale horse. F"
"Black or white, you will find it as
say, major"
"By this time the new conner was
within speaking distance. | halted
him and went out to where he stop
ped. 1t was no hard matter to trade
with him; and ia less than ten min.
utes / was leading the horse away,
and the seller was riding off with a
thousand dollars added to his pock-
et-money.
Anxious to try my new purchase,
| saddled and bridled him, and
mounted.
major! major don't do it,"
II had forgotten old Jacob; but
there he stood, holding the horse by
the bridle."
Major you will certainly ride to
your death !"
II was too much excited to pay
attention to his words; and, touch.
ing the horse lightly with my sharp
Mexican spurs, l left the old man
still talking to me.
"My beautiful black went charm
ingly. / never had an easier seat;
and never saw q horse that could
get over the ground with less exer-
ton. Twice one thousand dollars
would not have taken him from me.
"At the start / gave the horse free
rein, and he took q northerly course
toward the mountains. In this way
! rode several miles; but the near
ness of the sun to the zenith, and the
admonitions of inner man reminded
me that it was time to return. ac
cordingly drew rein; but, instead of
wheeling about the horse broke into
gallon, nearly unseating me-
IL bad hitherto prided myself on
my command over anything of the
horse kind; but that magnificent
black took the conceit out of me. All
that / could do or say made no i'm.
preston on him; and was forced at
last to give up and admit that had
found my match. 1t was very hu-
initiating, assure you; and there
was Jacob Stockton's warning to
think about. | was alarmed howev.
or hnt did UonAor suhofha, tha oId