The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-21
The Family Horse.
BY GEORGE G. SAKE, A. NJ.

BY GEORGE G. SAKE, A. NJ.
Some years ago 1 bought a large,
brown horse for family use,
at what was considered q moderate
price. But model family horse Is a
rare acquisition, and cannot be secur-
ed for a trifle, and he is fortunate who
gets the worth of his money, whatever
the price. If he looks for perfection,
he is doomed to disappointment. His
ideal must be young, sound, strong,
handsome, stylish, gentle, obedient,
fearless. and, though not always prom
inent in the inventory of attributes,
speed is indispensable. Even the dig
nified clergyman can scarcely disguise
the pleasure he experiences as he hears
it said: "The parsons horse takes no
mans dust"
After few months use, ascertain
ed that my family horse, "Tom," was
sadly lacking in several of these i'm
portant particulars. 1t is true he was
entitled to respect on account of his
age, but this did not add to his value
as a servant. He would pass fer sound
so long as the groom soaked his fore
feet frequently, and kept them "stuft-
ed" at night. Give him hard work
and light feed, and he was gentle
enough; but with light work and lib
eral feed he was true successor to
Jeshurun Of old. He would run away
for sheer amusement. While being
if the stable door CHANGED
to be open, he would dash out and ca
reer about the premises in great style,
afording us a free circus, though at
the expense of lawn and garden and
dangling harness. He had genius
for slipping headstall and halter, and
when he found it necessary, would
genius with strength; so
leaving him tied as securely as posi-
BILE, we were never sure of finding him
on our return. ,
AS for speed, whatever his natural
gifts as a trotter may have been, his
tender feet seemed always to suggest
the canter.
Taking all these facts into consider
alton, I thought it best to send him to
the New York auction stables, where
he was sold to the highest bidder,
without warranty.
I now determined to proceed careful
ly, and to run no risk in selecting o
Hfamily horse" I would eschew the
professional trader and the eloquent
auctioneer; I would buy only at pri-
vate sale, of some responsible family,
who might find it necessary 10 part
with a Well-tried and valuable horse
With this new laid plan in mind, |
searched the morning papers, ard at
last was rewarded for my pains by
finding the description of an animal
that exactly filled the bill. 1t ran
thus: 49,,
"a lady about going to Europe will
sell a favorite family horse. young,
handsome, and sound; gentle in har-
ness or under the saddle; q fast trotter,
without trick or fault; driven by la
dies and children. Will be sold at a
sacrifice. Inquire at-."
I lost no time in making my way to
that stable, nervous with apprehen-
sion lest might be too late to secure
80 rare prize. AS drew near 1 look
ed with jealous eye at every man
about the premises, seeing in each
possible competitor with dangerous
iv long purse. But, fortunately, ! was
the "early Bird" and I smiled as
thought of the disappointed ones who
were to follow me.
It was boarding-stable. [ showed
the advertisement, and with trepida-
ton inquired if the horse was there
and still for sale. was answered IN
the affirmative, which relieved my
anxiety somewhat. But I was sorry
to learn that Mr.. Chase, the gentleman
in charge of the horse, was out. /,
however, begged the privilege of look
ing upon the valuable beast, and ne
was sent for. I had prepared myself
to assume q cold look of indifference,
90 as not to "bull the market" But
the sight of that noble animal proved
too much for my resolution, and l
smiled audibly rs in stalked my iden-
tical "old Tom" which ] had sold the
day before! He greeted me so famil-
iarly that my first apprehension was
that he might "give me away" In
looking him over I observed that his
halter had experienced its usual wreck,
and that his feet had suffered some-
what by neglect. I asked few ques-
tions, made an appointment for the af-
ternoon, and returned to my store, re-
fecting:
"How vain are all things here below;
How false, and yet how fair"
At the time agreed upon I returned
accompanied by a friend, stalwart
young man, for I thought it we'll to
have O witness and, not knowing the
forces that might combine against me,
r deemed it prudent also that the wit
ness should be one we'll endowed with
muscle and courage. Our Mr.. Chase
was waiting for me. l found him
bright, genteel-looking chap, and a
fine talker,
The animal was led out, and bis
merits were eloquently set forth in the
presence of the stable men and Il num-
Der of gentlemen, who had probably
called to look after their horses. Every
point of excellence mentioned in the
advertisement was emphasized, with
the additional assurance that he could
"trot inside of three minutes;" was
raised near Syracuse; had been owned
by the lady for two years; and-there
was touch of pathos in his voice as
he added-that she would not part
with him on any account but for the
fact that she was going abroad to re-
side for some years, and must sell. 10
sum it all up, the valuable creature
was offered at the low price of three
hundred dollars.
I asked questions and made objec-
tions, especially calling attention to his
trembling knees; but all were dispos-