The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-06-22

Il wish you had q red Goa" says my wife
who has come to inspect me; ''and-I may
be wrong-but thirk, Algernon, you have
put your spurs on upside down."
Mrs. Jones' father was a noted hunting
man in the shires, and she ought to know
something about these matters.
Dear me! So have. Thanks for motto
Ing it. I'll put them right at once"
They are soon readjusted under Mrs.
Jones' directions, and go down stairs
20 the breakfast-room. had no
idea 1t was SO difficult to walk
down stairs with spurs on Twice the
rowels catch in the carpet, and l only save
myself from bad fall by clinging to the
banisters with both hands. Finally, turn
round and walk down backwards, arriving
In safety on the mat without being seen.
wonder how other fellows manage, for ]
don't recollect ever having heard any one
complain Of this dif1culty before.
Morning, JONES'" said Pudgewood
through stratum OF buttered toast. Come
along; we haven't much time to spare.
The meets at Holly Copse, seven miles
away, at eleven o'clock; and it's near ten
now. VIII you ride out, or take seat in
the dog-carti"
II l could take a seat in the cart and
keep it. / should select that without hesita-
ton; but little practice in the saddle
will do me good. perhaps, so say that will
Jog out quietly.
Pudgewood mods approvingly. always
best to ride to cover, think" he SAYS !;
''you have time to shake down in your saddle
before the days work."
l hear the horses being walked up and
down on the gravel outside, and the sound
rather takes away my appetite. should
like to know little more about the animal
l am to ride before mount, and therefore
seize an early opportunity OF asking Fudge
wood about it.
This gray, which you have been good
enough to lend me, Pudgewood, have you
had him longln
Ny host screws up his eyebrows and
makes brief mental calculation. 1--WE
hunted old Diamond now for nine seasons;
he's never given me a single fail, and
never knew him turn his head from any
thing yet"
Haven't you. indeeda" ask family.
mot once" affirms Pudgewood, solemnly.
He can take five-foot wall as easily as
you could Jump over q straw. He loves
jumping, that horse"
sickly interest while Pudgewood continues
to dilate upon old Diamonds merits. He
appears to be horse OF considerable
strength of character, from his masters
account; and 1 fear that il he insists upon
indulging in his taste for jumping while I
am on his back some difference OF opinion is
likely to arise between US. do not love
jumping"
Pudgewood is certainly most thoughtful
man. He arms me with q huge hunting
CROP whose horn handle, he says, will be
useful to open gates with. It's q trouble
some thing to carry, and gets fearfully en-
twined with the reins; but IL 1t is to serve
me as gate-opener. no earthly power shall
induce me to leave it behind.
/ am mounted now. felt q little pale
when came out Of the house; but the ex-
ertion OF climbing into the saddle, with the
Rroom's assistance, has made me purple in
the face, for l am stoutish man of no great
stature, and not so active as used to be-
"'E's tribe fresh, sir" says the groom
as he puts my right foot into the stirrup.
Don't touch i'm with the spur or ride i'm
on the curb. and ELL go like lamb"
The horse Is tossing his head and champ
ing his bits with most unlamblike ferocity:
indeed his whole demeanor warns me to
treat his peculiarities with the utmost re-
spect- screw my armed heels painfully
far outwards, to keep the spurs of his sides
and pick the bride up very gingerly; 1
won't pull the curb-rein for any considera-
ton. ! try to look comfortable and happy
as Pudgewood rides up beside me and gives
Diamond long loving look over from his
head to his he els.
He will carry you splendidly,r he says
to me. II shall expect to see you in tie
first flight the whole day."
It's far more than expect myself. am
not at all ambitious to be in the first flight
whatever that may be-and don't mean TO
let Diamond jump 30 much as grain II
can help it.
The horse Gains down by and by; and
when we pull up at the crossroads. where
the hounds are waiting. feel much more ut
home In the saddle than did when we
started. There are at least fifty horsemen
standing about, and numbers Of carriages
full Of ladies. Every body looks so ami
mated and jovial that make spasmodic
effort to appear pleasantly at ease. I'm
afraid the attempt Is rather failure. for
the sight of the hounds has reused Dia-
mond's spirit, and he is very anxious to be
of. Presently the whole cavalcade is
streaming slowly up muddy lane behind
The hounds; we pass through gate into a
arge field; and the master, aided by the
nunfsman and whips, sends the pack into
,over.
Pudgewood trots up to give me q final
word OF advice: Don't touch his mouth |
,nce You put him ct an obstacle; let him |
AXE his own pace, aud you are quite safe.n
nod desDairin0 affirmative. aomat,r<Jv
'eside me says, "They have found,n and 1 |
1T in awful suspense awaiting the result. |
)ne OF the whips appears at the corner of |
he wood into which the hounds were sent,
md holds up his cap Men throw away |
heir cigars, button up their coats, and |
'ress their hats well home. feel dread |
ully limp, as we trot towards white gate
the corner OF the field Suppose it won't |
pen, and that am called upon to put Dia-
nond at the railingss They are nearly |
hree feet high and look awfulIv atrouc