New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-15
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fancy know a good nag when | see enc, than
which there is no commoner delusloh among man
kind. 1t vas, therefore, necessary TO take some
one with me who knew more than myself. don
suppose there was yOungster III the regiment
who would lave hesitated 10 accompany me on
that same understanding, Tor all our fellows seem
to think that the mere TACT of being IN cavalry
regiment confers upon them an absolute lnialll-
bility in such matters, but at least knew enough
not TO trust III them. There was not a man OF them
who would not have voted for having a shy wlth
the crooks or would not cheerfully back them
through esprit de corps or with equal cheerlulnesS
borrow money of me to pay up with after the shy.
However, by lucky chance, the very man
wanted was within reach. This WAS Natty For
wood as knowing a little chap as you'd lind IN a
days ride. He'd been our coXswain at Oxford
what time rowed in the college boat, and clever
he was with the lines as watermans boy many
a bump had he saved us from when. as would
sometimes happen we fell TO pieces bit. Mats
father had kept hounds somewhere, and he knew
a lot about horses, and could steer one as we'll as
a bOat-had, in fact, won hurdle races at Sandown
and kempton Park, as well as several steepe-
chases. He was quite little man, not more than
five feet four in his socks, and could ride nine
stone, or but few pounds over; but he was
strong hmbed and clear-heaGed, as many bigger
man is not. Since leaving college, which, like
myself, Natty did without degree ne had tried
the law, but liking, as he said. fair course, WITH
q straight run in" he had paid forfeit and was
now at Downton Agricultural College, learning
farming and paying particular attention TO the
veterinary school, with some thought OF gong up
for the A. V. ID. ! wired to Naty to meet ME
at Templeton Junction, from whence ON d
bright spring morning we ran down to Sher-
burton A hired dogcart took us quickly out TO
Stocllwood, and finding my late uncle's stld-
groom, Purkiss on the premises, we at once SET
TO work to inspect my legacy. l perceived mn
medately that the lawyer had been correct IN his
surmise There were but six animals in all, two
brood mares with their foalS at foot, and two
horses in training. There had been an old
stallion Koh-i-nor, at the beginning OF the yelr,
but he had succumbed TO old age in the preceding
month. On beholding the stud turned away to
hide my disappointment, being fully resolved 70
sell the remaining animals for what they wouId
! fetch.
Natty, however, after looking at the brood
mares and hearing their pedigrees, went into the
boxes and began a careful examination OF
their occupants. These were big three-year-S0ia
| chestnut colt and plain-looking bay mare OF
| jady and tucked-up appearance, year Oiher,
| concerning which / remarked with some bitterness
| that dared say some cab-owner might give nlieen
| pounds for her to run in hanson.
| Natty paid attention to this remark, Dnb
| having felt the mares legs, cleverly evading the
vicious kick with which she resented tins liberty;
| be proceeded 10 examine carefully her eyes ana
| listened for some seconds TO the beating OF her
heart supposed to show off his veterinary IInowl
edge. Then we turned to the next box ano wIch
/ SAW the colt stripped / felt for the first time
! glow of pride in my ownership for handsomer
| animal had seldom seen. Fully sixteen hahdS,
he shone as Natty remarked, like copper ka tie
| This all Natty did say OF HIM, TO the eVlueh9
! disappointment of PurkiSs, who seemed very proud
I Of his charge. The colts name. he toll us, was
| Brilliant bv the aforesaid Koh-nor whose dam
was the famous mare GOlconda winner of the
Oaks and One Thousand Guineas, etc. AS yer
he had never run, but great things were eXpeciea l
| of him when he should do So my late uncle having
| esteemed him the finest colt he had ever Df,i.
| Natty, however, expressed no opinion as 10 MS
! merifs but having completed his examination,
| ordered the horses out. In few minutes they
were sadded and paraded before us, PnrlIl-s HIM
self being on the colt and stable-lad on tine
mare Being ordered TO gallOp, the colt went
away pleasantly enough. while the mare followed
reluctantly laying back her ears and showing the
white of her eye she passed us
" What do you think of him ~ asked OF
my friend as we watched Brilliant rOmp-
;nc alono tho upppr stretch of the
galop the colt was fresh and in"nHG to
seemed easy to ride. I thought him splendid
ropr. and visions of Ascot and Goodwood doated
before my eyes, with Ella arraycd IN dark,blne
and gold my unclc's cOlOrs watching me as ] led
in the winner of the Gun amid the cheers of the
applaudng multitude. But Natty cruelly damped
my ardor with the disparaging comment :,
=" Seems to have q good mouth, ana i shouid
think pleasant horse TO ride-Ought 10 make
good-loolIing second charger for YOU some day,
with chance of winning military steeplechaSe
if YOU can teach him to jump"
So much for Ascot AT that moment wished
had brought one of my brother-otiiccrs in place
of Nat. Before, however, had time &c contro1
vert after the manner of mankind, the opinion l
had been at so much pains to secure the horses
were round again. and the mare who he'd been
going unkindlv all the time now swerved ana
then stopped refusing to pass the wicket which
led back TO the boxes. In vain the lad urged her.
She showed temper and dashed out
Get off, my lad" said Natty and took the
bows place in the saddle. How he managed it |
don't know but somehow he succeeded, though
a total stranger to her, in getting the jade under
way again, and she certainly went much better
in his hands.
oueer-tempered ONE Purlliss said she WAS.
The mare had shown some speed at the beginning
of the preceding season, ana hat Won an ,od
off, and he, Purkiss, did not think she would ever
run straight again. ,
did she run under ?" Nat inquired carelessly when
he had dismounted.
called her Skittles."
horse and the dam was very well-bred one"
Yes, sir; but the mare don't seem to sort
after one nor tother Of EN-. Shes pa ,,, doer
and bad temper, and don't believe as She IL ever
do anything, sir" .u .lo,
Il do. sir. deal batter. He's quite another
stamp is Brilliant they amt 10 be named IN the
same day"
Il fancy you are right there
After this Natty said nothing more aDOuu uhe
horses until we were on way home. men, as
we lighted our cigars while waiting Tor ms tfalh
at TEN plcton said see you don't think nuch
of my legacy Nat: I suppose you advise me to
sell both the horses. together with the Dfood
mares for what they will fetch Z?
don't advise anything of the sort II you
get a good offer for the colt you might sell him.
but the mare 1 should certainly keep u,,.o am.
What for? Because no one would give any
No; because you might make good thing out
Of her. She's a flyer
"Nonscnse!"
Fact" .,,.- ..,,
You are surely chatting me? Brilliant is worth
twenty of her. - uo,, 7
TO look well on parade. yes; for racing
shonld saw the mare was worth twenty of him
| never was more astOnishad in my life. L de-
manded what in the world he meant
u win try to explain" said Nat. coolly puihng
his cigar but you must be perfect child III
horscfpsh George not TO see IL for yourself.
grant YOU the colt is a gOod-looking one. we'll
topped and SO on but he's too wide IN the cheSt
ever TO be Il real fast one, and don't move WIN
anv freedom-can't stride over straw. IN Llct;
didn't you see how the mare overhaulcd him when
| got on her back? Now she's all over race,
4 nrrhn