River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-03-04
THE WHITE MARE.
A Thrilling sketch of Frontier Life.

lUE va emu, uSti'4y ouuh III inc td4 III
encloses about two acres OF ground.
Heavy gates, opening outward, sway
harshly on the ron hinges. They keep
the Indians ont o nights. A well OF
water is in the centre OF the enclosure.
Low log buildings. cove cd with earth,
are scattered along the stockade. A
couple of sand-hlll cranes stood expect
antly at the well, waiting patiently for a
thirsty man TO draw water. A white
tailed deer, with a broad blue ribbon on
her neck, walked daintily around. Her
cool black muzzle studded with dross Of
dew, brilliant III the slanting rays of the
sun, was slyly thrust into my hand,
giving me a slight shock of surprise. By
the stables stood cow moose, standing
so aWkwardly with crooked legs and
bumped and the pendulous lip which
Mark Twain calls the Hapsburg," that
her very ugliness excited my pity. A
moose cali-her miniature in ugliness
stood stupidity at her side. Standing
at the well, facing the grand Rocky
Mountain range, drew 4 bucket of wa
ter. Drinking deeply, repulsing the
while the advances Of the female crane
with my moccasined foot, got the re-
ward of all men who reject the advances
of the tender sex, and was soon engaged
IN repelling furious attack on me by
the long-legged twain. The attack was
fierce. Their long, hard bills clashed
vigorously as they scornfully scolded me,
and was on the point of beating a dis
grace ful retreat when | heard, "HO,
Frank come have mouthiul of whis-
ky?' Recognizing the voice | gladly
left the cranes in undisputed possession
of the water bucket, and walked across
the parade to the store Of the fur COM
pany.
Bidding Burr Good morning." | de-
elined the whisky OH grounds unneces-
sary to state; yet the barrel had yell
low head, and-well, | knew the
tap ] sat and talked to Burr, who was
in charge of this extensive store, and
before breakfast he went over It With
me. A curious stock. Everything you
could find in an eastern store was
here. As we walked he explained the
buainess to me. Alluring2 Not ut ali.
He, looking at his watch, said: 1--WE
have yet time before breakfast TO lcOk
at my mare"
The sudden char &c in the expression
OF the voice, the softening Of the eyes,
as this hard Indian trader spoke of his
horse, excited my curiosity, and | went
with him. He took me to a low log
stable. the chinks carefully mudded, the
.open shutter and door well made and
carefully fitted, so as to exclude the
buffalo gnats in season. 4 few short
heavy chains, stretching from post To
post, kept the horse i'll and the other
animal out. With breast pushing
against the topmost chain, with her
handsome broad head thrust out and
alert ears cooked forward, stood snow
white mare. She was looking at the
moose with a surprised expression on
her face, as much as TO say: "Weli
you have not grown handsOmer during
the night" Burr whistled, and with a
Joyful neigh the mare turned her head
toward him and babe him welcome
The greeting between man and ANNA
was almost tender. The mare rubbed
her nose gently against his breast, anC
the man stood softly stroking her deli
cate neck. Unlocking the chains, they
dropped. Burr walked towards thu
we'll The mare, with dainty steps
arched neck, and fiecking TAIL followed
behind him, or caressinely advancing
TO his side, rubbed her body against
his, az though the mere contact witt
the man were grateful to her. His arm
it seemed to me, instinCively lifted
and dropped across her neck.
The two walked together, unconscious
Of any incong1uity. A bucket of wa;el
stood at the well. The high-bred crea
ture smelt of it, and detecting my pre-
vious presence, disdainfully refused Il
drink after me. Emptying the bucket
Burr drew another, and of this the mare
drank slowly, her white face gradually
sinking into the shallow vessel. Al
across the parade on the return to the
stable the love scene was reenacted. A,
they passed me, the mare showed hel
aversion to a stranger, by laying bach
ner ears and thTustIng out her white
toothed muzzle toward me in vicious
manner, causing me to step hastil,
back. They pass into the darkness y
the stable. Burr comes out with 1
bucket, puts up the topmost chain, ant
goes after barley. TIE mare with out
stretched head locks after him will
kind eyes. Again she saw me, and Will
wide opened mouth reached around tn
post to pay me the attentions of he
ulEtAhp hSlNl1luE W AllC CkstbAC NAtI
a full bucket of barley, Burr passed in
heard him pour the grain into tbs
d-box; | heard him speak to th'
mare as his dear girl" and / hear,
him kiss her.
A singular gentleness had come owe
this hard man, steelCd to human suffer
ing and woe, whose business it was Il
impoverish Indians, to destroy thei
morals. to brutify them with the dew
alcohol He sat at the breakfast table
silently tnInkings with his ANTELOPE
steaks and trout untasted before him
Watching the softened face, wondered
what was the story. So | asked: bun
why DO YOU love that white mare
He looked kindly at me, and, with
sad smile, replied Tonight after tn
men are in bed, l will tell you the story.
Then, briskly; Frank, this is not busi
ness. Eat, my boy, then clear out, an
fish or hunt. You will find some fov
hens in the big willow thicket about iiv
miles below here. saw them the otf
er day. Shoot'some. Tonight we WI
have Il feast, and | will open my wv
last bottles of sherry, and we Will talk.
His face hardened. The cold, deadl
look returned 20 the gray eyes, and on
breakfast was soon finished.
Shouldering my rifle, stepped o.
Of the stockade and slowly wake
down the valley. On the distant hi
side and antelope grazsd; down the va
ley before me l could see a few dee
running for cover to the willows by tn
stream. Now and then grouse ros
before me and flew rapidly away. e.
sisting all ten. ptation to shoot at an!
thing, | walked steadily on. Clmbin
a hill, / sat on red rock and amusing
~ gszsl at the vast plains 20 the norti
east, at the foothills OF tie range. and
the rugged rocky range beyond. | loy
the Rocky Mountains, and never tire
their face. | wasted hours in lookir
aud in thinking Of the many tales ha
heard of the range. When the sun Va
high above ME l started for the willow