The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-12
Capt. Todd's Horse.

1ou See, l'T. DTagS, observed Capt.
Todd, 81 want reg'lar clipperbuilt hoss
don't want stiffness and breadth of beam
80 much rs want good, clean run. |
want a hoss to show of with, yc sec."
'Well, SIR" said the doctor, pattinp
Oh the neck vicious looking animal
which he held by the bride, ''if you want
smart horse. can't recommend better
animal than this. just look at thos hcols
Hi! don't 60 near 'em. AS told you. I've
three horses that want to sell; but, If you
want horse that will go, this mare Is Just
the beast for YOU"
"You scc, said the captain confidcn-
TALLY, IL don't know much about hosscs.
Pm soafaring man. Followed the sea,
man an boy, nigh thirty-fvc years Now
I'm going to settle down on shore, an I'm
looking around for a wife. 4 don't mind
telling you that Pm sortcr courtin' the
Widow Bum. Now, the widow is mighty
fond Of good fast hoss, and there's
mother fcller, Sam Bliss-shinln' round
the widow too. Sam's got first rate horse
and takes the widow to ride good deal.
Now If don't get something better than
Sans got won't stand any show, for the
widow will be sure to ride most with the
man that's got the fastest horse, don't you
s.e."
The doctor nodded aftirmativcly. 81 see. {"
he said, II see." We'll, think the mare
will suit You. She's knowing beast Just
see how her ears arc laid back listening.
II you find her getting lazy, just touch her
up with the whip, and she'll climb, 7 can
toll YOU"
"Well." said the captain, "if she's all
you say she is, bring hor around tonight,
and turn her into my paster, and to-mor-
row LII hitch her up in my new buggy,
and give her a trial"
The next afternoon Capt Todd ran his
bright new wagon out Of the barn, and
throwing halter over his arm, summoned
Bill Tyke and proceeded to the pasture,
where the doctor had left the mare the pre-
vious evening.
Biz lykc was the captains righthand
man. lie had sailed with the captain all
his life, and now that the former had re-
tired from active duty. Bill had retired
with him, and undertaken to learn the art
of farming. In appearance he was much
like what the immortal Bunsby might have
been, and he was not much the inferior of
that worthy IN taciturnlty and oracular wis
dom.
The captain and his factotum circum.
navigatcd the pasture and "bore down"
l.
ward. But the intelligent animal saw
them coming and flattcucd her ears. The
captain was almost within reach when sho
threw up hcr head, changed ends and
cantercd away to the father end of the
field.
The captain swore a round oath and
divided his forces. Bill Tyke was sent to
coast cautiously around the fence while
the captain lay. ''off and on" in the ofting.
But 1t was game the mare understoO best.
She trotted leisurely around the pasture.
Keeping tantalizingly out of reach and
resisting all the Establishments offered her
In the shape of wheedling words and cars
Of corn.
The captain and Bill Tyke both fell to
swearing, and followed the beast around
for an hour. At last, with consummate
gcneralship, they succeeded In cornerlng
her, and as she tried to rush between them
both sprang at her name.
The captain was successful, and held on
like grim death, but Bill Tykc failed to
secure satisfactory grip, and was kicked
head over heels into blackberry bush,
whence he emerged torn, bleeding, and
swearing worse than ever. AS for the
captain, he was dragged q hundred yards
before he managed TO ''board" tho beast,
but at last be found himself on her back,
teariug across the pasture and bounding a
foot In the air at every jump. The mare
made straight for the bars went over them
and finally came to halt in the captains
dooryard. The captain slipped off in an
exhausted condition. and drove his new
purchase into the barn.
The operation of harnessing was one
requiring all the seamanship of both the
captain and Bill Tyke to successfully per-
form. The uses Of the various straps,
buckles, and "belayingpins" were the
subject Of several animated discussions be-
fore tho harness was finally adjusted.
When all was complete, Bill Tykc cruiscd
round tho wagon several times, and OBJ
served that the "darncd thing was all right,
anyhow.
Them" said the captain, "jest put
that oid boat anchor into the buggy, with
about three fathoms Of stout line, an you
Rit IN behind. - Darn va - ho rnotin,,oa