Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-08-20
IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.

IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.
Here's the man that'll show US how
to do it. Come along, Lawrie, old
fellow; you're just in time. We're
trying this mares PAGES, and you're
the boy to show us what she can do.
Up with you, and give US a touch OF
Mazeppa"
Thus shouted a group of ruddy,
stalwart young fellows OF unmistak'
ably sporting appearances, who were
assembled in the stable yard Of an
old country house in one of the south
western counties.
Squire Merrifleld, their host, had
just bought a high-spirited young sor.
rel mare, as skittish and full of tricks
as any. fllly, which had been very ap'
propriately named ''Coquette" by bel
new master. Her name had formerly
been nightmare. but to this the
squire strongly objected, arguing.
with some show of reason, that a
nightmare could not be shaken OF by
anybody, whereas his mare shook of
everybody.
This last statement was certainly
no more than the truth, Somehow
or other, Coquette and her rider who
ever he might beg were pretty sure to
part company before they had been
very long together; and among her
many victims was her late owner him
self, who, resenting the broken head
which he owed to her capriciousness,
had got rid of her Immediately after
his mishap
The same ill success had just at
tended one of the young Nimrods who
had gathered around Coquette in the
stable yard of Fairview Hall. Being
a very fair horseman, he had backed
himself to keep his saddle in spite Of
all that the mare could do to unseat
him; but he soon found out that he
had met his match. After hard
struggle, Coquette had the best of it,
and Fred Fanshawe was laid sprawl
ing on his back in the dust, from
which he had just arisen when a fresh
actor appeared on the scene.
This new conner was the "Lawrie"
so vociferously greeted by the assem-
bled sportsmen, to all of whom he
seemed well known-a slim, hand
some, well-dressed, rather effeminate-
looking young fellow of. two and
twenty.
In spite of his slender frame and
somewhat foppish appearance, Law
renee Berkeley was fair pedestrian,
a good shot, and something of gym
nasts as we'll; and he had contrived
to persuade himself that he was
good rider into the bargain. But his
horses thought otherwise, and he had
already paid for this delusion with
more than one awkward fall.
Warned by these catastrophes, Our
Nero had lately purchased very quiet
and well-broken beast, which he had
brought with him to the Hall. On
this safe mount" he figured credit
ably enough, but two or three of his
friends who were in the secret Of his
inferior Workmanship were constantly
on the watch for q chance Of getting
some fun out of it. Such chance as
they thought, was now offered to
them, and they lost no time in turn
ing it to account.
NCome along, Berkeley" cried one.
sThis fellow Fanshawe seems to
think that nobody knows anything
about riding except himself; but you'll
show him thing or two, won't you,
old boy?"
..Re merciful to the poor beast,
though" laughed another; ''and don't
run it right through with those spurs
of yours. BY Jove. they're big enough
TO roast a goose onm
This last morsal Of stchaff' was not
wholly undeserved. Lawrence Berke-
lev always arrayed himself in the
most ultra-sportlnx style, as'if with q
vague hope that his nattY coat and
CAP and his irreproachable, 'tops'
might refuse the art of riding into
him by some innate virtue of theil
own. But on this particular occasion
his .Ket-up" was smarter than ever,
and he had supplemented it with
pair of enormous Mexican spurs al
least twice as long as any worn II
England, which their waggish owner
q friend for whose sporting knowl
edge our hero had great respect) haf
mischievously persuaded him to wear
Now it must be noted that one o
the most Objectionable habits OF Thu
formidable mare was away which sh'
had of suddenly assuming meek ant
gentle air, and putting herself In at
tllude of perfect obedience so natuI
aey as to deceive any one save an ex
tiprienced jockey.
This was just what she did now
and thus, as Berkeley had not com
ND in time to witness her summar
disposal of Fred Fanshawe, all tina
he saw was q seemingly quiet an
well-trained animal, which his friend
were inviting him to ride. Such a
opportunity Of making (as he thought
. safe and easy display OF the hors.
manship which he supposed nimsel
to possess was just to his mind; an