Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-07-04

can't come up to Dannie a-rldin' boss
back
But Edwin, familiar with every Eng
llsh fad, bodied up and down in tn,
most approved style. fully convinced o
his ability TO show the country bump
kins a thing Or two "A the way of fash
ionable riding.
Bess did not choose to keep her pace.
any longer than was pleasing to her
self, however, and successfully resisted
all Edwin's efforts to force her thereto
Blows, en~trcaties, and some pretty
strong language failed to affect the
imperturbable beast, and on sht
logged, as demure as a country lassie
on her way to the fair.
The tramping of feet, loud huzza,
and the occasional roll of a drum
aroused her tagging energies. Dannie
and his company, upon a by-path, were
marching on their way to town.
For some reason, unknown to Ed.
win, these sounds put new life into the
old mare, so that he was fain to draw
her under the shade of a spreading oak,
in order TO spare himself the humilia.
ton of entering the town at the head of
a company of rustics wearing three
cornered paper hats.
keep up your mettle. old horse" he
said, land Wen astonish the natives
after all" and, surmising that Dannie's
company had ere this joined the other
pumpkins, he entered the main street
of the town.
AT that instant upon the summer air
rang the clear notes of a bugle. Bess
started like m electrified. Again IL
came, sweet, clear, silvery. Years had
flown since the old horse had heard
that sound, but she knew it WE'LL
Once more the call to duty! Like an
arrow from a bow Bess sprung for.
ward. OFF went Edwin's hat, and.
white with rage and surprise, he chung
frantically to the bride.
The blare of music drowned the
laughter of the crowd and the IRON
ical huzzas of Dannie and his raw re-
cruits.
go it, Bess!" they one and all
shouted. and go it" Bess did. With
head erect, name and tail hying. she
bore her rider to the very front of the
parading columns. In years gone by,
at a far distant fort, she had proudly
borne her colonel to that position, and
had not the call of duty summoned her
there to-day?
Forward, march!'
10 the strains Of inspiring music she
and pirouetted, needless of
Edwin's frantic tugs and shouts. To
add to her riders chagrin, one of his
priced patent-leather pumps had been
wrenched from his foot by the s%tirrun
and his crimson silk hose babe fair 10
follow. But how should Bess know
That? Had not the naughty colonel
been won't to goad her into backing
n prancing, and showing off" unon
all public occasions2 and, feeling her
youth revived. why should she not exc.
cute all the old-time steps to-day? But
alas for the rider, who lacked the
of the ACCOMPLISHED
colonel Such gyrations and 'tomfool.
cry" were beyond Edwin, and he was
constrained to drop the bride and cling
like John Gilpin, of famous memorv
to the stout neck of old Bess, or else
suffer entire defeat.
Like all performers, Bess reserved
her greatest effort for the last. She
nad backed, swayed from right to left
sat upon her launches: and
now, as the inspiring strains of "March.
ing through Georgia" awoke all to en-.
Ihusiasm, the old horse reared straight
n the air, wheeled in that position. and
went Master Edwin in the dust'
ne rabble"hastened to pick him up ont
harms way; but alas for his i'm.
coat, faultless linen and
'uperciiious airs! Like one Of the com.
non herd, only hatless aud partly al oe-
ess, he was forced to stand and y;sw
he country militia, snathematizino IN.