The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-12
Nh. BLAINEs NARROW ESCAPE.
He Barely Misses Purchasing Stolen
Horseflesh.
From the Neto York World.

Horsehesh.
From the NeU York World
BAR HARBoR, Me. June 6.-Secretary
Blaine has been within measurable distance
Of being found with stolen horse In his
possession. As already reported in these
dispatches. Mr.. Blaine yesterday entered
into an agreement with Andrew Stafford,
the livery stable man in Bar Harbor, in
regard to a pair of horses which he wanted
to have reserved for his own use during the
season. He also contemplated buying
the horses in case they turned out
to his liking, and the selling price
OF the pair was Professionally fixed.
The horses-a fine pair of bays-had
already begun to be looked upon more or
less as Mr.. Blaine's property. But as it
turns out IL was well for the secretary that
they had not passed into his possession.
One Of the horses, unknown to Mr. Stafford,
was stolen property. Bright and early this
forenoon a business like group of men
stepped into the livery stable. They said
they wanted to 20 out driving, and possibly
bility in view they looked over the
stable and selected one of the
Blaine pair. Mr.. Stafford rather
hesitated about letting that horse 60
out, because he had no assurance that MIR.
Blaine would not telephone for the team.
The persuasive powers of the strangers,
. however, prevailed. The horse was hitched
TO a blackboard, and MIR. Stafford drove.
The principal man of the party was Judge
George s. Frost of Dover, n. H. He sat
beside Mr.. Stafford on the blackboard, and
the two spent their time discussing the fine
points of the animal and estimating its
worth. The owner did not fail to make a
good deal of capital out of the fact that
Secretary Blaine had mind to buy the
horse and its companion.
Judge frost seemed to be thoroughly
pleased with the horse, so much so indeed,
that Mr.. Stafford was in hopes Of making a
profitable sale. All such expectations were
rudeiy shattered when the party returned
to the stable, for Judge Frost claimed the
horse as his own. 1t had been stolen from
him in Dover, N. H.. almost four years ago.
The stable keeper was thunderstruck, and, of
course, resisted tie claim. He had honestly
bought the horse from an honest man in
Bangor eighteen months ago. His resist
ance was useless, for Judge Frost had by his
side the sheriff of the county and the private
detective who had worked up the case, and
they were armed with writ of replevin
which authorized them to take immediate
possession. The stable Keeper almost wept
as he saw his favorlte animal thus wrung
from him without the slightest warning.
Before taking it away the judge gave sew
eral proofs that the horse was his For in
stance, at the word of command it per-
formed several little fancy tricks which had
been taught to it at Dover many years ago,
and which were utterly unknown to the
late owners. Secretary Blaine was duly
informed of the catastrophe as soon as it
happened. He thanked his stars for his
own narrow escape and expressed his deep
sympathy with Mr.. Stafford. He assures
the stablekeeper that as he had been so near
to being partner with him in the misfort-
une he would stand by him as a friend and
be content with the best substitute be had.
Mr.. Blaine has not gone out driving here
yet. The weather to-day was fine, although
little cold. Bright sunshine and a brisk
breeze made it a pleasant day for outing.
The Secretary took several short walks
among the trees around his cottage. His
footstep is firmer than it was, and he ambles
along with less apparent effort than walk
ing cost him few days ago. His condition
is evidently improving. The least critical
eye can see that his health is on the mend,
and as the pleasant summer weather
promises soon to set in, the prospect before
him is cheering. At present there is every
reason to believe that he will realize his
hope to get along entirely without further
medical aid, until he feels his health suf-
fciently restored TO justify him in return
ing to his work in Washington.