Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-07-27

quite young man, that L was 10 NeV
York city. 1t was IN the days whel
old Bloomingdale road was a favorit
drive for New Workers with fast horses
Now l like fast horse myself, and
thought I had ridden behind some
One afternoon | was up town, or wha
was at that time up town 10 New York
and gentleman came aloug whom
knew. His name was Captain Norris.
He was driving dreadfdlly bony anC
angular looking mare, and when ht
asked me if would like to take a seal
beside him, l was almost ashamed ID
get in behind such q specimen OF horse
flesh. Still, knew that Captain Norris
was something Of a lover of horses, an,
beside L couldn't in courtesy refus,
HIM so got in. The sleepy seeming
old mare logged along IN a most tire
some way. Her head hung down, ant
it seemed as though it was all she could
do to drag her legs along.
"We'll 60 out on the Bloonlugdale
road If you don't mind the Captain
said, and see some of the steppers.'
well, that would be pleasant enough
for thought 1 would have a chance tC
see a brush or two between some Of the
noted horses of New Yo.k Of that day,
1 said to the Captain that 1 almost
wondered why he wasn't out with a
stopper himself, knowing how found he
was Of fast driving. He said that be
sometimes did take fast horse out, and
remember looking at the dingy boOy
mare. aud feeling for the Captain some
of the shame which l thought he ought
to have felt for himself. 1 noticed, too,
that rhe people whem we passed, who
recognized him, were stare at his mars,
and l thought they were wondering
howit was that Captain Nerris was
out with such plug as that.
"By-and-by a noble animal passed
US. The gentleman who was diving
looked, as he passed, around at the
Captain. l noticed that the Captain
nodded, aud that he took little frmer
grip Of the relns. The gentlemao slow
ed up a little sufficiently to let US
pass.
Try it, Cap he shouted,
THE Captain nodded.
I saw that the mare lifted her head
a little as the grip on the reins tighten
ed and put some little animation into
her feet. By,and-by we heard the
clatter Of hoofs back OF US. l looked
around and saw that the gentleman was
coming at a splendid pace.
See ifhe passes US, SAID the Captain,
aDd he made one little chlrrup TO the
mare.
Gentlemen, l have seen transforma-
ton scenes have seen the old man in
the opera of Faust changed in an in
slant to The handsome young fellew. l
nave seen a politician change bis coat,
but never saw such a Transformation
rs then happened.-The mare lifted her
head. Her ears no longer hung limp.
They were erect and tossed back to
catch the souod Of those approaching
hoof,. Her dinsy bedy new seemed
to CLEAN, and her legs looked like the
spokes Of rapidly revolving wheel. She
vas all fire, all animation, all electric
lty. could think ofnothing but loco
motive rushing along at the rate OF a
nile minute. Heavens, how the wind
,ut my face.
Look out for your hat, Beck, said
.he Captain, aud pulled it down over
ny ears. l glanced quickly at the CAP
am be held the reins fcmly. and his
ives we're fixed ahead. We were
pluneing ahead on whirlwind. L
thought what beatuy that mare now
Is, and 1 thought there was only one
end of it decentralization. l grabbed
he seat firmly with both hands. and
pressed my feet against the dashboard.
The wind moaned in nay ears, although
we made the breeze ourselves. l could
hal dly breathe. could not see, except
ar ahead. l knew we were passing
cam after team, aud l heard the peo-
Die cheer. 1 smut ny eyes. l
honght the crash would come. | would
nave begged the Captain to stop it the
peed bad not SO great that speech was
impossible. / said 10 myself, James
Beck, your day has come, Whew'w-W-
y how we were flying. There was no
notion excepting speed. We were hy'
ng over the road, horse aud riders,
seemingly impslled by an unsee, irresis-
ble power. l opened my eyes ence
Iud saw some men away ahead, waving
heir hats. In an instant we had reacL-
ID and passed them, aud as we went by
he three nen seemed misgled into one.
When will this end /? L wondered.
The suspense was awful. l wanted
whatever was geing to happen TO hap
ben at once. 1t seemed as though We
,ad been an hour riding when the speed
lack.ued slower and slower, and at
ast the mare stopped. L opened my
YES, and saw that we were standing at
roadside inn.
Are you through. Captain p trem-
'lingly asked.
Yes, he said, laughing let's take a
title Santa Cruz
The Captain turned the mare over
q a hostler aud we went inside, and
elped myself pretty literally.
Captain, you gave ME a great fright
;1ao fbok mara could