Connecticut western news., 1879-12-31
The White Mare.

In the valley, about six miles above the forks of the Teton River in northern Montana, is the Blackfoot Indian Agency. A high stockade of split logs standing on end, deeply sunk in the earth. encloEes about two acres of ground. Heavy gates, opening outward, sway harshly on great iron hinges. They keep the Indians out O nights. A well of water is in the centre of the en. closure. Low log buildings, covered with earth, are scattered along the stockade. A couple of sand-hiil cranes stood expeotantly at the well, waiting patiently for 8 thirsty man to draw water. A white tailed deer, with broad blue ribbon on her neck. walked daintily around. H1r cool black muzzle, studded with drops of dew, brilliant in the slanting rays of the rising sun, was slyly thrust. into my hand, giving me a slight shock Of surprise. By the stables stood 8 COW moose, standing so aWkwardly with crooked legs and bumped back and the pendulous lip which Mark Twain calls "the Haps- burg" that her very ugliness excited my pity. A moose calf-her miniature in ugliness-stood stupidly at her side. Ssandiug at the well, facing the grand Rocky Mountain range. drew bucket of water. Drinking deeply, repulsing the while the advances of the female crane with my moccasined foot, I got the reward of all men who reject the advances of the tender sex, and was soon engaged in repelling g furious attack on me by the long-legged twain. The attack was fierce. Their long, hard bills clashed vioiously as they scornfully scolded me, and was on the point of beating & disgraceful retreat when heard, "Ho, Frauk p Recognizing the voice, gladly left the cranes in un- disputed possession of the water bucket, and walked across the parade to the store of the fur company.
 Bidding Burr "Good morning." I sat and talked to him, who was in charge of this extensive, and before breakiest ha went over 1t with me. A curious stock. Everything you could not find n an Eastern country store was here. As we walked he explained the business to me. Alluring Not at sll. He, looking at his watch, said: S We have yet time before breakfast to look at my mare."
 The sudden change in the expression of the voice, tho softening of the eyes as this hard Indian trader spoke of hi: horse, excited my curiosity and went with hi1. He took mo to low loe stable, the chinks carefully mudded, the open shutter and door we'll made anG carefully fitted go as to exclude the buff falo gnats in season. A few short heavy chains, stretching from post to post kept the horse in and the other animal out. With breast pushing against tn, topmost chain, with her handsome broai head thrust out end alert ears eocket forward, stood a euow-white mare. Sh, was looking aS the moose with sur prised expression on her face, as mucl as to gay: "Well, you have not grow handsomer during tho night" Bur whistled, and with a joyful neigh tn mare turned her head toward him an, bade him welcome. The greeting be tween man and animal was almost ten der. The mare rubbed her nose gentl against his breast, and the man stoo softly stroking her delicate neck. Un locking the chains, they dropped. Bur walked towards the we'll. The mare with dainty steps, arched neck, an, flecking tail, followed behind him, o caressingly advancing to his side, rubbe her body against his, as though tn mere contact with the man were grate ful to her. His arm, 1t seemed to me instinctiveIy lifted and dropped acros her neck.
 The two walked on together, uncor scious of any incongruity. A bucket C water stood at the wen. The high-bre creature smelt of 1t, and, detecting m previous presence, disdainfully refuse to drink after me. Emptying the bucket Burr drew another, and of this the mar drank slowly, her white face gradual sinking into the shallow vessel. A across the prairie on the return to tn stable the love scene was reenacted. A they passed me, the mare showed he aversion to stranger by laying bac her ears and thrusting out her whit. toothed muzzle toward me in vicior manner, causing me 10 step hastily bacl They pass into tho darkness of tl stable. Burr comes out with bucke puts up the topmost chain, and go' after barley. The mare with outstretche head looks after him with kind eye Again she saw me, and with wide opene mon n reached around the post to ps nae the attentions of her dislike. R turning to the stable with full buck oi barley, Burr passed in. l heard hi