The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-09-14
Alexander and BucephaIus.
BY FRED MYRoN COLBY.

Alexander and BucephaIus.
BY FRED MYRoN COLBY.
One day when Alexander was about
twelve years old, his father, King Phil
ip, of Macedon, took him with the rest
of the court to see a display of cavalry
in large field adjacent to the palace.
The handsome young prince with his
golden hair falling upon his shoulders
and his fine eyes all aglcw, was no dis
interested spectator, you may be sure.
At the close of the review aThessalian
approached the king vino was standing
among his officers, and said that he had
horse for sale which he wished him to
buy.
''What is your price. Sir Phlonicus?"
asked Philip, who, it seems, knew the
man quite well.
Sixteen talents about $l5, ,O00), your
majesty, but it's royal steed, and only
kings should mount him."
"And your price is royal" laughed the
king. However, let me see your beast.
If he suits US, we shall not quarrel about
the price"
The horse was brought, huge black
charger of a Thessalian breed, that
champed its bit and paved the turf, like
Pegasus.
HE has never been mounted, my
lord" observed Philonious, "doubtless
he will be shy at first"
A dozen gaily dressed Young officers
stepped boldly forward in order to
mount the new horse and test his speed.
But the black steed appeared so fierce
and unmanageahle that the gay fellows
were glad to step back in their places.
One Of the officers persisting in his at
tempt, was thrown violently upon the
ground, from which he arose crest-fallen
enough, his helmet begrimmed with
dpst, and a brand-new cloak nearly
spoiled.
The Tessalian courser seemed in a bad
humor that morning. He reared and
plunged and kicked, and so far from al
lowing any one to mount him, he would
| not even bear to be spoken to, but would
| turn fiercely upon his grooms.
Take away your steed, Sir Thessa-
lian," said Philip angrily. "He is savage
as Cererus, | marvel that he has not
slain thee ere now. Only a Centaur
could ride the beast
"Truly he is possessed" answered
Philonicus, very much disappointed.
"What aileth thee, Bucephaius? Thou
hast never acted so until now"
Father" said Alexander. who had
| been very quiet and observant, now
/ stepping forward and speaking very
earnestly, THAT is too good horse to
be lost for want of a little spirit and
| skill to manage him."
"And do YOU think, forward boy, that
| you can manage the brute better than
| Vo,lr plIerSp" rs knR the kinp
That | could" replied the prince,
cor | will forfeit the price asked for the
horse.n
! AZ this tie courtiers laughed, and
| Philip shook his head, but the boy did
not smile, He only said. "Haye your
permission. father?"
'Ho there! Sir Thessalian, lead back
your steed," cried Philip. "Here is a
hleadstrong youth who wishes to break
| his neck"
| Then the young prince throwing of
his golden embroidered mantle. ran uI
to. Bucephalus, and laying hold of the
br'die turned him to the sun. For he
| had quietly been making up his
6een %aaa frightened fRf1 ihe by h0fss is owh aS6
shadow, which had constantly moved as
he had moved. His assumption was ver-
flied at once, for no sooner wss Buce-
phalus turned about than he immedi,
ately became more quiet Alexander
continued to speak to him gently pat
ting him on the neck, until he had him
under control. Then springing suddenly
upon his back, the prince, without US
ing either whip or spur, galloped the
fiery steed acrsss the field to his hearts
content
After hard half-hour's hard racing,
he approached the royal circle again,
and delivered Bucephalus as tame as an
old chariot horse to the grooms.
Pay the Thesalan his gold, Perdic-
cas-" said Philip to one OF the young Of
ticers, and ther, turning to the prince
he said, "Maccedon is too small a king
dom for thee, my son, and one day, J.
prophesy, thou wiltrule over greater. y
And the handsome prince, his face all
flushed with his exercise, and his gold
en- locks blown hither and thither, went
home leading Bucephalus proudly by
the bride, and Bucephalus was proud
to be led too.
But the Thessalian steed would per
NIT 40 one else to mount him, and Al
eNander MAS the only person who ever
rode him. He bore his master through
nll his war-like campaigns, and when a
last he died, Alexander gave the blacl
steed funeral like that of king. Hi.
name was long preserved by a city
which the conqueror built, and namec
after his favorite horse. Bucephalia.