Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-05-19

no barn at all, had taken in the friendless
horse.
1t was difficult TO make the Major enter
the field, for he had been turned out of SC
many, driven away from so many lawns
and even begrudged the scanty pickings of
the roadside, that he could not understand
the invitation given him to enter and take
possession of great green field, with apple
trees fer shade, and brook babblin
throu h the middle of it.
When Mt last he ventured over the bars,
II was both sad and funny to see how hard
he tried to enjoy himself and express his
delight.
First, ne shifted the air, then he nibbled
the sweet grass, took a long look about
him, and astonished the children by lying
down with groan, and trying TO roll. lie
could not do it, however, SO lay still with
his head stretched out, gently tapping his
tail, rs il TO say:
Its all right, my dears. I'm not very
strong, and Joy up'ets me, but I'm quite
comfortable, bless you"
isn't it nice to see him. all safe and
happy, mammal" sighed Posy, folding her
hands III childish satisfaction, while Ned
sat down beside his horse, and began TO
take the burrs out of his name.
Every nice, only don't kill him with
kindne S, and be clreful not to get hurt,
answered mamma, as she went back to her
work, feeling MS if she had bought an ele-
phanf, and didn tknow what TO do with him.
Later in the day sudden shower came
up, and mamma looked about to be sure
her LITTLE people were under cover, for
they played out all day long, if possible.
No chickens could the maternal hen find
to gather under her wings, and SO went
clucking anXiously about till Sally, the
cook, said, with n laugh:
"Ned's down in the pastur', mum, hold
ing an umbrella over that old horse, and
he's got waterpl oof on him, too. Calvin
see it, and most died laughing"
Mamma laughed, too but asked if Ned
had on MS rubber boots and coat.
"lcs, mum, | seed him start ali i'll lis
wet weather rig, bat | new mstrusted
what the dear was up to till Calvin told
me. losy wanted TO 90, but | wouidn't
let her, so she went to the upper window,
where she can see the critter under his
umbrella"
Mamma went up to find her little girl
surveying the droll prospect with solemn
satisia tion, for there in tho field under
the apple-trec stood Major, blanketed with
the old waterproof, while his new master
held an umbrella over his aged head with
deaIed him to the heart of good Mr.. Der ii.
All that summer Neddys hose took his
rest i'll the green meadow, but it was evil
dent that he was failing fast, and that his
good time" came too late. Mamma pre-
pared the children for tho end as we'll as
she could, and would have spared them
the sorrow of parting by having Major
killed quietly, if Ned had not begged SO
hard to let his Lorse die naturally; for age
was the only disease, and Major seemed to
suffer little pain, though LIE daily grew
more weak and lame.
One morning when the children went to
carry him q soft, warm mash for breakfast,
they found him dead, not in the shed
where they had left him warmly covered,
but at the low place in the wall where they
always got over to visit him.
Calvin slid he would attend to the
funeral, and went off to dig the grave i'll a
lonely place behind the sand bank. Ned
declared that he could not have his horse
dragged away and tumbled into hole, but
must see him buried in a proper manner;
and mamma, with the utmost kindness,
said she would provide all that was needed.
The hour was set at four in the afternoon,
and the two little mourGers, provided with
large handkcrchiefs, Ned with black
bow on MS arm, and Posy i'll Grape veil,
went t. drop last tear over thsir departed
friend.
At the appointed time Calvin appeared,
followed by Mr.. White, with n drag drawn
by black Bill.
AS the funeral train passed the house on
its way down the lane, mamma, with anoth-
Ell Grape veil on, came out and joined the
procession.
The October woods were gay with red
and yellow leaves, that rustled softly as
they went through tie wood; and when they
came to the grave Ned thanked Calvin 10:
choosing such Il pretty place. A pine sigh
ed overhead, late asters waved beside it,
and poor Ma, or's last bed was made soft
with hemlock boughs.
Tie earth was thrown in, green sods
heaped over it, and then the men departed.
feeling that the mourners would like to
linger little while.
AS lie left, Mr.. White said, with gravity:
You are welcome 10 the use of the team
and my time, ma'am. | don't wish any pay
for 'em; in fact, l should feel more COM
Portable 20 DO this Job for old Major quito
free and hearty"
Mamma thanked him, and when he was
gone Ned proposed that they should sing Il
hymn. and Posy added, "They always sing
Sister, thou art mild and lovely at fuucr-
ais, you know.
Mamma with difficulty kept sober at this
idea. but suggested The song about "Geoi
old Charlie" as more appropriate. SO it
was sung with great feeling, and then posy
said, as she wiped her weeping eyes"
"Now, Ned, show mamma our eppytnp.
"She means eppytarf." explained Ned
with a superior air. as he produced a hoard,
on which he had printed with India ink tho
following words:
"IIere lies dear old Major. He was good
horse when he was young. But people were
not kind to him when he was old. We
made him rs happy as we could. He
loved us, and we mourn for him. Amen.
Ncds knowledge of epitaphs was very
slight SO he asked mamma ii this one
would do; aud she answered warmly:
1T is n very good one, for it has what
many lack, the merit of being true. Put
il up, dear, and II make wreath to hang
on the grave stone"
Much gratiiied, Ned planted the board
at The head of the grave, Posy gathered
the brightest leaves, ana mamma made II
lovely garland in which to frame Tho "cp-
pytap."
Then they left old Major TO his resi-, feel
ing sure that somewhere there must be n
lower heaven for the souls Of brave and
faithful animals when Their unrewardeel
work is done
Many children went &c see that lonely
grave, but not one of them disturbed a
leaf, or laughed ut the little epitaph that
preached them sermon from the text
blessed are the merciful."
Nn;iOna, Conventions.
pouublicon ID luD,rat