Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1880-05-05
CAPT. TODD'S HORSE.

Oapt. lOuu, L WduI reg idI Ciip
per built boss. / don't want stiff
ness and breadth of beam so much
as l want a good, clean run.
want horse to show off with
we see."
swell, sir" said the doctor, pat
ting on the neck a vicious.looking
animal which he held by the bride,
"if you want smart horse, / can't
recommend a better animal than
this. Just look at those heels. Hi !
don't go near 'em. AS told you,
I've three horses that / want to
sell /; but, if you want horse that
will go, this mare is the beast for
you
"You see," said the captain, con-
fidentially, 81 don't know much
about horses. I'm a seafaring man.
Followed the sea, man an boy, nigh
thirty-five years. Now I'm going
to settle down on shore, an I'm
looking around for a wife. / don't
mind telling you that I'm sorter
courtin' the Widow Bum. Now,
the widow is mighty fond Of good
fast boss, an there's another Teller,
Sam Bliss-perhaps you know him
that's shining round the widow
too. Sans got first rate boss and
takes the widow to ride a good
deal. Now if / don't get some
thing better than Sans got l won't
stand any show, for the widow viii
be sure to ride most with the man
that's got the fastest horse, don't
you see."
The doctor nodded affirmatively.
al see," he said, II see. Well, /
think the mare will suit you. She's
a knowing beast. Just see how her
ears are laid back listening, II
you find her getting lazy, just
touch her up with the whip, and
she'll climb, l can tell you"
"Well," said the captain, "if she's
all you say she is, bring her around
tonight, and turn her into my
.. 1ster, and tomorrow I'll hitch her
UP in my new buggy, and give her
atrial"
The next afternoon Capt. Todd ran
hisbrightnew wagon out of the barn,
apdftLrowing halter over his arm,
SUMMONED Bill Tyke and proceed
ed totlle pasture, where the doc
tor hat left the mare the previous
evening.
Bill Tyke was the captains
righthana man. He had sailed
with the captain all his life, and
now that the former had retired
from active duty, Bill had retired
with him, and undertaken to learn
the art of farming. In appearance
he was much like what the immor-
tai Bunsby might have been, and
ne was not mech the inferior Of
that worthy in taciturnity or orac.
ular wisdom.
The captain and his factotun
-circumnavigated the pasture anc
"bore down" upon the mare per
suasively from the windward
But the intelligeutenimal saw then
coming and fattened her ears. Th'
captain was almost within reacl
when she threw up her head
changed ends and caEtered ava.
TO the further end of the field.
The captain swore round oatl
and divided his force. Bill Tyk'
was sent to coast cautiously around
the fence while the captain lay "of
sud on" 10 the offing. But it wa
a game that the mare understood
best. She trotted leisurely aroun'
the pasture. keeping tantalizingl.
out Of reach and resisting all tn
establishments offered her in tn
shape OF wheedling words and ear
of corn.
The captain and Bill Tyke bot
fell to swearing. and followed tn
beast around for an hour. AT last
with consummate generalship, the,
suceeeded in cornering her, an
as she tried to rush between ther
both sprang at her name.
The captain was successful, an
held on like grim death, but Ri
Tyke had failed to secure a sati:
factory grip, and was kicked bea
over heals into blackberry bust
whence he emerged torn, bleeding
and swearing worse than ever. A
for the captain be was dragged
hundred yards before he manage