Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-12-20

"Johnny, friends is it? We'll rather, let's make another toddy. Christmas tomor- TOW, here's to you, oid boyI'
 Grew could carry a great deal, as the phrase goes. and therefore had not noticed upon my arrival that he had been imblb- ing freely before; the large, hot drinks, however. began to tell on him now, al though he never lost his senses.
 Because" 1 continued, "you see, you having the providing of a horse for the mentioned occasion, I would like to ask you to take into consideration my-aw well, long want of practice and belonging as do, you know, to the infantry -
 "I call you fellows 'dough-boys you know" interrupted inc gallant cavalier.
 Yes, yes, 1 know" | resumed with propitiating smile, still being such good friends, l thought that seeing you have your choice from among 50 or 70 horses you would. to oblige me, you know, se- lect very gentle animal, about the gen tlest of the herd, for me to ride tomorrow. Will you do that much for your friend?'
 Johnny, old boy" answered Grew, now with watery mouth and glistening eyes, II tell you what, but first let's take a toddy." We did so Then he took hold of my right hand and fixing his eye sight with drunken solemnity upon cor ner of his tent he gnve ne hearty shake of the hand and said: johnny old boy you shall ride Strawberry. l never yet let man ride Strawberry, but by G you shall have him.
 Strawberry" said l, "who or what Is he?"
 "Strawberryr r exclaimed Grew; Straw berry is the noblest, finest, handsomest steed that ever walked, paced, trOtted, | loped or ran on four legs. Strawberry, Johnny. my friend, is my horse and no other man on this post has ever ridden him or shall ride him with my consents; but you shall ride Strawberry; I'll have him ready for you. Let's take toddy! Christmas tomorrow
 l Now l had seen Crews horse many | times when he was going to or coming from water walking quietly along; he was without question the prettiest horse in the post; further than that l knew abso- | lutely nothing about him, and seeking | further information l asked: "Is not Strawberry perhaps too sbittish-aw 1 too lively for a rider aw-I mean for a man who has not been on horseback for a-let us say for such long time that he cannot recollect the circumstanceY
 Strawberry" answered Grew, ''is the loveliest. gentlest, the kindest animal l ever rode: child could rIde him. Johnny, my friend" he continued, now somewhat ! lacrymose and with tendency to frequent | hiccups, "any man might be proud to straddle such perfect beauty jewel king of horses" Uttering the last words somewhat disconnectedly, he rolled upon his bed and fell asleep immediately, whereupon 1 blew ont his light and sought my penates.
 I remember distinctly to this day the delicious dream I dreamt that night; the main feature of it was myself sitting proudly on Strawberry and flying through space, not only without the least trouble
 but in perfect ecstacy. Still upon awak
 ing I could not quite subdua q certain
 feeling of apprehension as to coming events and l engaged Sergeant Norton oi the cavalry in a secret conversation witl
 reference to the different qualifications oi Strawberry. He was an old soldier and
 probably wondering about the motive ol my interrogatOry, he answered most em-
 phatically: strawberry, sir: that horse is a peach"
 We'll, guard mount came as usual at o'clock q. n and was duly performed.
 was there with my sash, you may believe
 and relieved Lieut.. Winters as ofiicer-Of
 the-day. Thereupon I reported tq the commanding officer fOT oTGors.
 You will first" said this gentleman
 visit the herd and see that it has sui
 ficient pasture, but not over two miles
 from the post. The corporal with three
 men to herd the horses and mules, the
 two Mexicans the cattle in their immedi
 ate vicinity; two mounted men you vii
 place upon such elevated points of obser
 vation as to command a good lockout al
 around. especially towards the Huachuc;
 mountains. When you return, report"
 The great moment was thus at hand
 I walked briskly towards the cavalr,
 stables, where l found Grew, my frient
 Grew, batting the sleek and ready Straw berry gently ou the neck. Max Lipowit
 was there also and few old cavalrymen l thought at one moment I had caugh , a sly side-wink Of Grew towards the by islanders. But presently he walked al ! around me an examined me from head t foot, then he called to one of his men . You, here, bring me a pair of spursw , objected at first, but he advanced such
 string of arguments about the looks of ar
 officer on horseback without spurs that 1 yielded. He fastened them 0n himself
 looking with utter contempt at the inian 1 try shoes I wore and especially at m I straight infantry sword fastened closel 9 upon my left hip; he called this side 9 arm irreYerently a cheese-knife and some , times toad sticker. Well, it certainl l was not an appropriate thing to wear uE
 on the occasion, but of course 1 could nc
 entertain for a moment his proposal, kinC t ly extended of exchanging it for the tim v being fer a cavalry sabre, the manage
 ment of which would have puzzled Ii 2: not ;a little besides being" against th ' rules"
 !. Well, somehow I got into the saddl e with his help and seized the relns accorC n ing to his Instructions which, by the wa h included tue caution to keep my bee
 turned out pretty well. In order tC tGb 6 the road to the herd l had to cross u @ parade ground situated upon a small me; .s on whose southern end the road turne # downwards to the right where the upp IT San Pedro called by old settlers Barbi s comari creek, crossed it at right angle
 The opposite bank had become somewh l. steep by reason of the winter rains, othe
 wise the ford was easy and practicab II enough. There was standing ord e at our post that no horse should be { e lowed to assume any gait faster than d walk while passing the parade grouu ', or course Strawberry knew that perfect n well, and thus the beginning of my mou d ted experience was quite satisfaction | When we entered the ford my mcu i- stopped in the middle of the creek al l. dipped his naGgtb into the water; thinlEil Q. that he might wish to drink l waited I a some time; the horse was probably wa f. ing fer directions whether to go forwa le or turn back. 1 thought it was almc Id time to proceed. 1 know now that t of least encouragement with knee. rein lv voice would have had the desired eife ct but then, oh thenl 1 only knew that tn wore spurs. Were they not for use
 just such case? At Fl events 1 ma al use of them, to what extent l am unat x. to toll because the instantaneous eff ot produced by my action was so sudd 1s and altogether unexpected that J ha CT lost the remembrance thGyeof Stra w berry made two long strides and lII
 which landed him upon the opposite ba BY in a wink and started; oh yes, he was a If anybody had asked me about that u ,w whither l was bound in such 6 hurr nv must have referred that person to elf horse for the desired information prov He ed I had enough power of speech wo within me about that time; a very dou i'd ful circumstance. When my steed nli He that jump | felt myself lifted from Dn, saddle aud a second or so aftewaro ,,s had aasnroad n Tosition on the horse if