The Mineral argus., 1883-09-20
Alexander and Bucephalus.
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 a 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 who was standing
among his officers, and said that he had
a horse for sale which he wished him to
buy.
"What is your price. Sir Philonicus?"
asked Philip, who, it seems, knew the
man quite well.
sixteen talents about $4,000, your
majesty, but tits a royal steed, and only
kings should mount him."
"And your price is royal" laughed the
king. "HOwever, let me see your beast.
II he suits us, we shall not quarrel about
the price"
The horse was brought, a huge black
charger Of a Thessalian breed, that
champed its bit and paved the turf, like
a 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 manageable that the gay fellows
we're glad to step back in their places.
One Of the officers persisting in his at
tempt, vas thrown violently upon the
ground, from which he arose crest-fallen
enough, his helmet begrimmed with
dust, 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 n 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-
linn" said Philip angrily. "He is savage
as Ger erus, l 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 sileth thee, Bucephalus? Thou
hast never acted so until now"
LdAAtAg HdAh AAGAunn0ls VIII nhu
been very quiet and observant, now
stepping forward and speaking very
earnestly, THAT is too good a 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
your elders?" asked the king.
That i could" replied the prince,
"or | will forfeit the price asked for the
horse"
At this the courtiers laughed, and
Philip shook his head, but the boy did
not smile, He only said, "HaYe / YOU
permission, father?"
"Ho therel Sir T~hessalian, lead back
your steed," cried Philip. Here is a
headstrong youth who wishes TO break
his neck"
Then the young prince throwing of
his golden embroidered mantle. ran up
70 BucephaiCs, and laying hold of the
had quietly been making up his
mind that the horse had
cen frightened by its own
shadow, which had constantly moved as
he had moved. His assumption was YER
ihed at once, for no sooner wss Buce-
nhalus turned about than he immedi-
stely became more quiet. Alexander
ontinued 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
.Aery s'eed acrsss the field 10 his hearts
content.
After a hard half-hour's hard racing,
ne approached the royal circle again.
and delivered Bucephalus as tame as a..
old chariot horse 10 the grooms.
Pay the 1hesalian his gold, Perdic-
cas-" said Philip 10 one OF the young Of
hcers, and then, turning to the prince,
he said, "Maccedon is too small a king.
dom for thee, my son, and one day, 1
prophecy, thou wilt rule over a greater"
And the handsome prince, his face all
flushed with his exercise, and his gold
en- locks blown hither and thither, went
home leading Bucephslus proudly by
the bride, and Bucephalus was proud
TO be led too.
But the Thessalian steed would per.
NIT no one else to mount him, and Al
exander was the only person who ever
rode him. He bore his master through
all his war-like campaigns, and when at
last he died, Alexander gave the black
steed a funeral like hat Of a king. His
name was long preserved by a city
which the conqueror built, and named
alter his favorite horse. Bucephalia.
Statue OF Lafayette In Paris.
IT.. ur-.Ig-- A.