The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-12-24

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good baste, an good luck-penny to
boot. An good luck go wild yer own
self, an wild Black Beauty. God bless
the darlint! An one word more y
laying detaining hand on my arm
''axin' yer pardon for maxim so bould
but mebbe whin yerself or one O. yer
gran frien's is wantin' another baste
O the same sort, yell reminder
Dowse, the gypsy"
"That [ will, Dowse! It will give
me great pleasure to do SO" | assured
him kindly; then springing into the
saddle, trotted gaily off on my new
purchase.
Dowse stood motionless at the
gates. watching Black Beauty intent
ly as he clattered down the road.
1t might have been that he was
only shading his eyes from the sun.
But fancied, glancing around, that
he hastily dashed away tear as he
took the last long farewell look at his
well-beloved pet-for the ties between
poor man and his horse are many
and close, and not to be severed with
out heart pang.
Certainly | had right to feel jubi-
liant over my bargain. e20 was little
enough for my wife's favorite, but
more, probably, than l could have
sold him for at the fair-so my good
friend Dowse assured me- Then the
difference! e4O! Black Beauty was
ridiculously cheap for e40! Stopl
that was not it exactly! e4O and old
Dobbin it was. Still, mere trife
for the black horse! After ten-mile
journey, and hard half-hour's work
in the park, he was still fresh as paint
skittish. and full Of little playful
tricks, but withal, very easy, COM
Portable animal to ride. His trot, I
thought, was quite equal to old Dob
bins in his palmiest days.
However, even Black Beauty was
but mortal By the time we reached
Killnaballew, his superfuous spirits
had worn off, and he trotted up the
avenue to Arthur's house as quietly
as heart could desire. I took him
round to the stable to rest for an hour
or two before continuing his journey,
for Killnaballew was seven long Irish
miles from the Rookery.my little
country nest.
I had fain hope that Arthur
might not have started after all, for |
yearned to exhibit my steed to such a
capable Judge But he had left the
house soon after I did. Mrs Dewitt
was out too, the little maid-servant
informed me, IAN please sir, ye're
not to wait luncheon on the misthress
an it'll be ready at two,
I whiled away an hour or two with
the aid of new magazine and first
rate luncheon, then took my depar-
ture. As it was, I had delayed toe
long. 1t was growing dusk before ]
reached home, and [ feared Nora
might be anxious, knowing that ]
had intended to ride my new horse
But Black Beauty's nervousness had
toned down to a praiseworthy stedi-
ness, and he went quietly on through
the gathering darkness.
Old Charles came hobbling round as
| arrived safely at the door, and be-
gan instantly to examine Black
Beauty by the light of the stable lam
tern. With novel, yet delicious
thrill of dawning self-respect in his
presence, I listened calmly to his hall
condescending, half commendatory re-
marks: "Ay, foine, sthrong build
good shoulder; seems about the
hoighth; mebbe he'll make match
for Sharon, afther all, Masther John!'
"Afther all evidently bore refer
ence to his previous scepticism
Therefore | merely said curtly, "Give
him good feed Of oats, Charles, and
a bran mash. And see that his rack
is we'll filed. He's done his twenty
to-day, and done them nobly" Turn
ing away [ congratulated myself upon
the new born sense of authority with
which I had issued my orders. As
the old man disappeared into the
darkness, I heard him mutter with an
undisguised chuckle,-
MAY the saints and the blessed
Vargin turn a deaf ear to me dyin'
prayers av iver I heard the like of
that! And does Masther John want
to find him the morn's morn
bust up like a COW in a clover bed,
wild his bran mashes, an his oats an
his nay. He! he! Masther John do
bate all, he do!'
This coarse soliloquy brought the
hot blood to my cheeks, but all else
was forgotten as Nora rushed into my
arms, and greeted me with even more
efusion than was her wont.
"Oh, John dear! I was getting so
nervous, but when I heard dear old
Dobbin, I knew you were all right"
"Old Dobbin!'' I echoed "What
do you mean, my dear?"
"Ah! I know" smiling archly.
'And I'll tell you movi That was just
what I was hoping might happen,
and | cannot help feeling glad you
could not sell him Oh, l was listen
ing so anxiously, John dear, and I
was so delighted when heard him
coming! Dear old Dobbin! [ should
know his step among thousand.
"a feminine exaggeration, my
dear?I reply calmly, catching the
drift of her remarks. "You would
know his step among a thousand,
doubtless, in theory. Practically, you
do not know it among two. For that
was my new black horse, a regular
beauty, Black Beauty, as his name
tells you (by-the-way, l must change
his name-it is too hackneyed), and,
as | anticipate, a perfect match for
Sharon"
Her face fell. then frightened
again. John, you are only in fun,
are you not? It is really dear old
Dobbin?"
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