The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-07-04
THE TRAINED HORSE.
A Detectives story


across a rolling prairie, and the road
runs very near east and west. Hall
way between the two towns the road is
touched by point where heavy
growth Of pine trees sweep away to the
northward into dark, dense forest. In
the spring of 1912 a man left ClayYille
in the morning, bound for Booneton.
His name was Registered at the inn as
Richard Bizbee, of New York, and he
was supposed to have money with
him. He left Clayville upon horseback
in fine health and spiPits, but he was
never seen in Booneton. Perhaps he
had, unnoticed, gone part of the way
and then returned. At all events he
was never heard of more in that dis
trict.
About month after that
man from st. Louise left Boone
vile for Clayville. He was also
on horseback, and started off well
and hearty; but he never reported
himself at the place of his destination.
Within a fortnight after this second dis
appearance two more travellers were
missed. What did it meanp The road
between the two towns was direct, and
not even a by-way was there to lead
any one astray; 50 that to wander from
the true path was impossible. During
the month of July three travellers were
missed, and the people turned out in q
body to search. OF course attention
was turned to the wood, and the search
was extended for miles and miles, but
without success.
On the 4th of August a young man,
who gave his name at ClayYille as
Michael Dupont, of New Orleans, lett
the place for Booneton. He was on
horseback, and when he was told Of the
dangers of the road he only laughed at
them. He said he had a good horse
and good weapons, and he was not
afraid. But Michael Dupont never
reached Booneton
1t was on the 10th of August that /
arrived at Clayville, and put up at the
village inn. was on the track Of two
rogues who had robbed the bank in
jackson; and / had not been at the inn
an hour before made myself sure that
the men | sought had passed that way
only three days before. And then I
heard this other story of the travellers
who had so mysteriously disappeared
from the road that lay before me.
When l had gone some five or six
miles the next morning, | noticed that
my horse began to falter, and in little
while afterward he came to a walk and
seemed to be in great pain. Imagining
that he would soon fall, L Slipped from
the saddle and led him out upon the
grass at the side OF the road. AS stood
thus, wondering what in the world /
should do, saw man coming toward
me from the direction of Booneton. He
was seated on a powerful black horse,
without any saddle, and his only bride
was piece Of rope passed around the
animals nose. lie was d simple-loo ok
inc fellow, dressed in an ordinary farm
ing garb, and behind him were what
appeared to be some empty bags. AS
he came near to where | Stood / saw
him gather his halter, as though he
meant to put his horse into q run. M
"Hello." / cried. Stop moment. =
The fellow seemed to consider upon
it and finally turned his horses head
toward me and soon dismounted by my
side. 4ftA t4ff8KT &sa II
I've heer' q good deal bout this
road, he said, cycling me from top to
toe, land like to be keerful Met
with q fan, ell, stranger?p $50
mot exactly fall,n l said. tMy
horse seems to have given. I'M E
The fellow walked around my quiver-
ing beast, and when he came back he
put his hand upon the animals throat
and gave sharp punch. The horse
started back with a grunt, and direct
ly began 10 heave and SLAYER at the
mouth. 8M s@
you don't belong to these parts,
stranger he said eyeing me again.
mo, Il told him.
"Tthought not, he added. Il guess
your boss has been eatin' devils tail. y
asked him what that was,
Its kind O poison" he answered,
that hessaS NICK up hereabouts. He'll be
well enough by to.ntyfrcw or next day,
at the farthest.n
If that's the case,n / said, 'sper-
haps you'll let me bargain for yours. y
Il never owned anything yet that /
wouldn't sell if a man wanted it nore'n
| did, y he replied.
''Well," said, 'and may / ask what
price You set on your heastpn
jest seventy dollars
had expected to hear him say a
hundred took him at his offer in a
moment.
The bargain was made; counted out
seven ten dollar pieces, put my saddle
and bride upon the new horse and then
mounted.
Perhaps said the fellow, as he gave.
the sick horse another punch in the Gull
let, IF | should meet YOU in Booneton
one o these days We might like to change
back again o.
/ told him we'd see about that, and
then, bidding him good morning, I
started off.
had certainly got splendid horse.
lie stepped as lightly and gracefully as
dancing master, and bore me as easily
as though had been in carriage. In
little while touched him with the
whip and he pranced gayly. / patted
him on the neck and told him chat [
liked him. We were now lust at tho
point where the angle OF the wood
reached the edge of the road, and with
out apparent cause the horse started
into gallop. | spoke to him and tried
to hold him in, but he only went the
faster. In q few minutes he wheeled
out of the road and struck into the
wood, and now he ran for dear life. j
yelled with all my might and tugged at
the rein till my arms ached, but | could
neither turn his head or slacken his
speed. He flew on like the wind, Sc
Letting his course where the trees were
iarthest apart-hew on, sweeping
now tosthe right and now to the left,
Just as.the passage through the forest
seemed most favorable. ~
~ soon as found the horse was not