The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-23
The Family Horse.

I
pleasure, comfort and profit derived from
the ownership Of one Of those gentle in
telligent servants Of man known as the
family horse, safe for women and chill
dren TO drive
Many people who live in small towns
are more cut off from country sights aud
delights than some Of the very poor in
crowded cities, for these latter have some
times their outings through the summer,
furnished by different benevolent and
humane societies. but although the woods
may be only mile away from her VIII
lage home, tired mother, even If she
can spare the time, rarely has the strength
and energy to walk the distance, no mat
ter how her hesrt longs TO be there with
the birtis and the bees, and ell sweet
scents and sounds. To such a woman
/ the family horse, sleek Of limb and veil
groomed, or angular and ungraceful ss
the case may be, is as much a boon as
the benson of friends The restful, heal
/ ing Influences of drive in the open
country. with the peaceful hush that
seems to brood over everything animate
and inanimate coming like balm to ir-
ritated nerves, the exhilarating and tonic
effects Of the bracing air, the ever neeur-
ring objects Of interest that tend TO draw
the tired mind from its daily wearing
routine, cannot be over estimated in hap
py, healthful results.
Medical men recognize this faCl, and
every day are laying greater stress on the
importance Of outdoor life for many
forms of invalidism. A better way would
be 10 take the medicine before the inval
idism begins, and thus avoid the cost Of
the doctors prescriptions and fees, for 4
family horse will pay for itself in a year
or two by the saving Of doctors visits
and drugs alone
One of the most pleasantly suggestive
sights in a bustling town IS carriage
load of laughing children, from the wee
ones to the eldest. piled indiseriminstsly
around the mother, who is taking them
for jaunt TO the woods. The horse may
be anything but feet, but if it be sure
footed. it fills all the requirements. Time
is no object to these happy creatures ss
they jog along, sometimes attempting TO
initiate the songs Of the birds that dit by
them, cawing ike crows, ba-a-ing like
the sheep they see in the fields, whistling
TO the dogs that bark as they pass a farm
house--in short, filed with delight with
everything, and actually overfowing
with the ecstaey Of mere existence on
one of these bright summer days, when
"We may shut our eyes, but we cannot
help knowing
That skies are clear and grass is grow
ing"
In fancy we follow them as they turn
of from the dusty turnpike into a shady
track that leads them closer to sylvan
beauties. Back in this field is a pretty
pond, on whose bosom yellow water lilies
lift themselves from their base Of broad
green leaves. Coarse as they are, they are
rich in tone and color The marshy land
between resembles q blue eopse, as its
wealth of light blue flags sway on their
long stems in the sun light.
"We will come here next memorial
day to gather them for the soldiers
graves" is resolved unanimously, as the
children pick liberal handfuls to add to
the bunchof pink field daisies they have
already gathered from the corners Of the
rail fence.
The white starry blossoms Of the black
berry form fragrant border to the green
path they are riding over, bnt what il
this sweet odOr that ills the air as they
slowly wind up a little hill, on thetop II
which wave feathery fron.ls Of delicate
green? 1t is Wild grape in bloom. i
jet black starting. With brilliant scarlet
trimming on his own coat. flies away az
their approach, and the children scream
with delight at his beauty. almost forget
ting to notice the delicious perfume OF
the vine that elings 10 the weather.
Drowned rails and riots Iuxurizntly on
the ground. A woo.Ipecker Is ha nmerinz
busiIy on bo1gh near by, and turns its
red crest sidewi~e to glance at them a.
they go slowly by, but does not stop iis
WORK.
Branching of is road leading 70 the
woods where early in the spring can be
found that rare tree-a pink dcgxsOd
Its hiding place Was found one day by
accident, and the secret Of its wherea-
bouts jealously guarded ever since. A
concert from a bird choir is going on
about them as they journey on. Orioles
dazzle them with fash Of yellow wings
as they sing, meadow larks trill rich ca
denzss, boboliuks twiiter rampant, while
the little brown chippies pipe du-t 10
the heavy alto Of the bluej4ys Striped
squirrels skip along the ground or rush
wildly up the trees, hurrying TO hide
themselves from the human creatures
who have invaded their haunts. There
are no bad boys near 10 stone or chase
them, but they rezanf women and chill
dren as enemies and refuse 70 shos them
selves.
Sweet briar gives out lis pungent per-
fume, and the horse is stopped to let the
little ones gather a sprig. Across the way
rod after rod, on long, spiked stems, are
canary -colored flowers that brighten the
roadway, and close to the boarsier Of the
broad ditch are more Of the purple low
ers water-ferns grow thickly there, and
farther on field opens to view where
We may gather fringed gentian in the
fall Occasionally farmhouse i passed.
in whose garden is deep red peonies for
the season IS backward, while the snow
balls and Iose-weigelas form side set
ting TO the little front porch.
And 80 the merry PARTY jogs along
sometimes all ehaftering It once, some
times too content with all this loseliness
TO utter word. Surely fhe-skv was new
er 50 blue, the sun nevershoae - bright
iy, the air was never 50 baImy and pure.
the world neTer 20 beautiful, aud life 20
well worth living, as when We have been
thus close to nature
and yet there are women whose only
idea Of the uses OF horse and vehicle IS
to be drawn from their house. arrayed in
gorgeous apparel, making fashionable