The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-07-03
THE TRAINED HORSE.
A Detectives story.

From Clayville TO Booneton, in the
United States, is about fifteen miles.
across a rolling prairie, and the road
runs very near east and west Half
way between the two towns the road is
touched by point where n heavy
growth of pine trees sweep away to the
nOrthward into dark, dense forest. In
the spring of 1912 man left Clayville
IN the morning, bound for BoOneton.
His name was registered ut the inn as
Richa d Bizbee, of New York, and he
was supposed to have money with
him. He loft Clayville upon horseback
in fine health and spirits, 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 a
man from ST. Louise left Boone
Vile for Clayviile. He was also
on horseback, and started off well
and hearty; but he never reported
himself at the pace of his destination.
Within fortnight after this second DIS
appearance two more travellers were
missed. What did it mean? The road
between the two towns was direct, and
not even n by-way was there TO lead
any ono astray; so that to wander from
the true path was impossible. During
the month Of July three travellers were
missed, and the people turned out in a
body TO search. OF course attention
was turned 10 the wood, and the search
was extended for miles and miles, but
without success.
On the 4th of August n young man,
who gave his name at Clayville as
InsaAna r " u r.
the place for BoOneton. He was on
horseback, and when he was told nj the
dangers of the road he only laughed at
them lie said he had a good horse
and good weapons, and ne was not
afraid. But Michael Dupont never
reached Booneton.
IT. 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 mt the inn
an hour before | made myself sure that
the mon / 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 mo.
When / had gone some five or six
miles the next morning, l noticed that
my horse began to faltor, and in little
while aftcrward he came to a walk and
seemed to be in great pain. Imagining
that he would soon fall, 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 n man coming toward
me from the direction of BoOneton. He
was seated on n powerful black horse,
without any saddle, and his only bride
was piece of rope passed around the
animals nose. He was a simple look
ing fellow, dressed in an ordinary farm
ing garb. and behind him were what
appeared 20 De some empty bags. As
he came near to where l stood, saw
him gather his halter, rs though he
meant to put his horse into run.
Hello" / cried. Stop a moment. e"
The fellow seemed to consider upon
il and finally turned his horses head
toward me aud soon dismounted by my
side.
eve hcer' a good deal bout this
road he said, eyeing me from top to
toe, ''and l like to be kecrful Met
with q fall, eh, stranger?"
''Not exactly a fall" / said. My
horse seems to have given in"
The fellow walked around my culver
ing beast, and when he came back he
put his hand upon the animals throat
and gave sharp punch. The horse
started back with n grunt. and direct
ly began 10 hcave and SLAYER at the
mouth.
"You don't belong to these parts,
stranger, he said eyeIpg me again.
No told him.
- thought not, he added. Il guess
your boss has been eatin' DEVILS tail. :"
asked him what that was.
Its n kind O. poison, he answered,
"that bosses pick up hereabouts. He'll be
well enough by tomorrow or next day,
ut the farthest.'
IF that's the case 1 said, per
haps you'll let mo bargain for yours. -"
Il never owned anything yet that
wouldn't sell if man wanted il more n
1 did, he replied
''Well," l said, ''and may ask what
price you set on your beast?''
''Jest seventy dollars"
1 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 aud then
mounted.
Perhaps" said the fellow, as ne gave
the Sltk NuLSt NuOlHtI punch IN the 0tl-
let. IF I should meet YOU in Booneton
one O these days We might like to change
back again ?'
| told him we'd see about that, and
then, bidding him good morning, /
started of.
I had certainly got a splendid horse.
He stepped as lightly and gracefully rs
a dancing master, and bore me as easily
as though had been in n carriage. In
a little while l touched him with the
wbiD and he pranced gayly. 1 patted
him on the neck and told him that /
liked him. We were now just at the
v,nint where the angle OF the wood
reached the edge of the road and with
ont onparent cause the horse started
into n GALLON. / spoke to him and tried
- 6oIf him In, but he only went the
foster. In n few minutes he wheeled
- ~ the road and struck into the
,,'oo6 and now he ran for dear life.
,,oIIcd with all my might and tugged at
me rein till my arms ached, but could
ti.G turn his head or slacken his
a5 lie flew on like the wind, Sc
SSPeti.a, his course where the trees were
1900 apart-lew on, sweeping
Iar ,I - the right aud now to the left,
INST INST AZ the passage through the forest
J us, ~, most favorable.
EGCAI1A F-.,nh the horse was MOI