Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04

The average civilian is not accustomed to
horseback riding. Unless ne has lived in the
south or in the far west he has not had much
equestrian exercise. Even if he is college
graduate he has probably forgotten even the
PAGES of the accommodating pony" which he
rode through Terrence or Aristophanes. Still
the average American citizen never declines
an honor, and when that of a marshal or an
aid in an Inauguration is suddenly thrust upon
one. after he has pulled every possible wire to
obtain it, he accepts with becoming modesty
and prepares for the ordeal which he knows he
must undergo. He knows that he will have to
ride horse, and yet he delays definitely secur-
ing an animal until the last moment. He gets
together his uniform of Prince Albert coat
tall hat and black pantalOons, not forgetting
the straps to the latter, and is careful that his
badge shall be all right. He obtains pair of
spurs, not because he thinks he will need them
but because they give him a martial bearing.
Finally he sets out in search of horse. He
first tries to borrow from all his friends but thew
unfortunately have use for their own horses on
the day Of the parade, and the marshal is COM
PEELED to resort to livery stable. He tries to
impress the man Of horses that he desires
mount that will make a snowy appearance in
line; that will have sufficient spirit. but must
ne be vicious, and that has safe and easy gait
The livery keeper knows all about this. for he
has had it told him over and over again. and he
promises to have suitable animal at the mar
shal's residence at the hour desired The night
before the parade is season Of prayerful
anxiety with the inexperienced marshal. He
is little uncertain as to how he and the strange
horse will agree, and even his dreams are dis
turbed by horrible nightmares.
When the bucephalus is brought to his door
by the groom the marshal is already arrayed
in all his paraphernalia, and he kisses his wife
and children goodbye with an easy grace that
bellies the trepidation that he inwardly feels.
He clutches the bride reins and is just going
to put his foot in the stirrup when the groom
says. hadn't better turn him round for you,
sir. and let you mount on the other side?'
Then he realizes that he came near making
horrible blunder, and he is SO thankful to the
groom for helping him out of the difficulty that
he hands him half dollar as he finds himself
comfortably seated in the saddle. The groom
touches his hat with THANK We, sir" and
the marshal rides off admired by all the neigh
bors.
Most Of the marshals and aids in to-day g pro-
cession sat their horses gracefully and firmly.
and gave proof that they had complete COM
mand over the animals which they bestrode;
but there was one who had evidently gone
through all the preliminary experience that
has been described above. He was shaky
in the saddle, and it was plainly
to be seen that there was q dif-
ference Of opinion between him and the horse
the horse would prance round sideways little
just to show what he could do il he tried, and
then the rider would turn rather pale about the
lips, would grasp the pommel OF the saddle
with both hands and would stick his feet well
down into the stirrups. These little pleas
antries on the part of the horse lasted only q
few minutes at a time, and then the animal
would resume an easy walk, and the confidence
Of his rider would revive.
All went well until about half way down the
Avenue, when band just in the rear of this
particular marshal, which had kept silent up 70
that time, concluded it was proper that they
should be heard. They announced their inten.
ton by roll of the drum and fortissimo stroke
upon the bass drum and cymbals. This was
longer. He backed until the musicians began
to scatter, and then he plunged suddenly for
ward, nearly throwing his ridsr over his haAd.