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

to my apologies. l quite agree with him
about keeping in the rear, and shall be per-
fectly satisfied to stay there if Diamond
would consent to the arrangement
After we have gone a good long way.
every one stops galloping, and cone up
with the rest of the field. am stared at a
good DEAL don't know why, and / hear
something said about cheque, which sup
pose relates to that stupid dog rode over.
1t rather dampens my ardor, for have got
on surprisingly well up till now; there has
been no jumping, for all the gates are open,
or there have been friendly gaps in default.
have been abused sometimes for not await
ing my turn at these places; but can't ex-
plain that the anxiety to get on is all on
Diamonds part and not on mine am glad
to stop for a bit; but in few minutes a
man says, They've hit of the line" aud we
are all laundering down towards q hedge of
most forbidding aspect, and without gap
in its whole length. ''Now, then, Jones, !"
sings out Pudgewood. cheerily, ..sit down,
and give the old horse his head'
TIE advice is well meant, but unnecessary;
the old horse has got his head, but have
quite lost mine. We are at the hedge;
there is frightful lurch, and am hoisted
N-'~o @~@@AsA NoShCiy COuStlOuS tudt tuC
saddle on Diamonds back is far away
below me. After a wide parabolic aerial
flight, / came down lengthways on the
horse. Thence / rebound helplessly: aud
the next thing am aware of is, that i am
sitting in very wet furrow, with my legs
stuck straight out before me, scraping the
clay on my face. don't know where the
horse has gone, and don't want to know /
oxro had
and as soon as every one is out Of sight. /
shall make the best OF my way homewards.
find the road, and set out on my walk to
Barnsdale, which must be good eight
miles on. Never mind; it's better than
hunting.
Hallol what's thisl am tramping stead
lily on. whistling to keep up my spirits when
the sound of hoofs falls on my ear, aud
sends cold shiver down my back 1t comes
nearer and nearer and my heart beats like
o hammer, keeping time with the hoofs /
daren't look round / wonf look round.
Poohl after all. perhaps ills only farmer
on his way home. The villainous Diamond
Is not the only horse in Stoneshire. But
even as try thus to comfort myself and
ward OH apprehension, the animal comes up
beside me, and gruff voice says: s.Yer be
thy harse, Meister.n
1t 10 too much. throw common-sense
and truth to the winds at these appalling
words, and repudiate ownership as fiercely
as though had been accused Of stealing the
The yokel on Diamonds back stares at me
with his mouth open, in stupid amazement,
for fully half minute. Then he takes of a
very old hat and scratches his head, as
though friction assisted speech. "But seed
thee a-tumblin' OF i'm in the field tree mile
back. Me an my mate was half hour
a-ketchin' of i'm"
What am to do! The man knows that
the horse is mine, or that was hunting it,
and evidently doesn't mean to be baked of
his expected tip. One point am quite de-
,ided upon: / will take this countryman
INTO my confidence; will eat my humble
pie to the very last crumb il need be, but ]
conf ride that fiend miscalled hunter home
That is thing will not do. But l wish
hadn't told the man that the horse wasn't
nine. Never mind; it doesn't matter.
will offer him five shillings to take Diamond
home for me and say nothing more about it
With this determination l stop and pull
'ome money out Of my pocket; the laborer
ices it, stops Diamond, and before l can pre-
rent him. has dismounted, and is holding
he bride ready for me to got up again.
Now, look here, my man." begin. ~
want you''--
But the words die upon my lips. just as
press the two half-crowns into the labor.
IRIS willing hand, there is confused c,al ter
II hoofs. and three men in pink come swing
ng round the corner. / win wait until they
'ass. o the mistaken kindness have suf-
cred from, to-day! They don't pass; they
'ull up with one accord, and hope that /
haven't come to grief. disclaim all need
Il aid and sympathy with frightful eager
less; but in vain. MY hollow tones arouse
heir pity, and one OF them jumps off his
lorse, and taking Diamond by the head bids
he rustic "help the gentleman mount.n TIE
aborer seizes my left leg in a giants grin.
md yield myself to fate, silent for very
name. The three officious good Samaritaus
ide with me just far enough to let the re-
reating laborer get we'll out of sight with
ny five shillings, and then bidding me good
vening, turn up across the open moor,
saving me to my enemy's mercy
am bound to admit that he goes more
edately now. How would thrash him il i
only daredl Fortunately for him, would
s soon try to fly as take such liberty, and /
10 Is allowed to plod along as slowly as he
hooses- By and by, he begins to go very !
he stumbles and trips, until l
m in momentary terror of being thrown
yer his head. He must be lame; and as
ne awful possibility. nay, fact, bursts upon /
he, pull at the bride till get him to stand
till, and climb down 10 see what has gone
7rong with him. / can't see any thing un-
sual about any of his legs; but there is no
isguising the hideous fact that he is dead +
lme. don't waste time in making further !
! throw the bride over
~ arm, and once more set out to walk /
ONE. with the horse limping behind me.
am dog-tired, very hungry and my body i
ches from innumerable bruises ] begin,
borrower, as near the house, to feel that
~ personal appearance is rather depress-
'g. Ny hat new week ago. would make
n Irish beggar blush; my once spot'ess
uckskins are boldly variegated with bots
I'D patches of brown and green till they
4 mi lo q ov-o1o 81 I..,x 4.