Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-04-07
NUTSHELL'S MAD RACE.
1T WAS A GALLoP FOR LIFE
AND THE MARE WON.
Tho Colonel Tells why Horses foot
Tied with Blue Ribbons Hangs over
his Fire Piaee--A Wild Ride for tho
Doctor AT Midnight

btu Sftf ten you now my mare
! Nutshell saved the life Of my wife
away back in 90? No, think not. -
and the colonel gazed a long time
into the CHEEKY depths OF the fire.
and sighed heavily two or three
times as tho food OF recOllections
swept away the curtain Of the past.
The guests knew that his thoughts
were with the spirit OF the sweet wo-
man who had been dead ten years,
and when the colonel fumbled at the
locket at his chain which held her
| picture they remained silent
Like most men in the army. ! fell
in love young, aud was married in
fredericksburg in '63. returning to
my post OF duty almost Immediately
after | was made the happiest man
on earth. My Authoritarian was a
racing man, a breeder Of thorough.
breds, and when / went back TO my
regiment ! carried with me three
year-old mare as present from the
old gentleman. who said that, having
no boy Of his own. he wanted the
SON Of his adoption to be well
mounted and a credit TO the army
The mare was lovely chestnut ia
color, aud, although a little under
sized handled my 100 pounds as
though il were play for her. seeming
absolutely tireless and possessed OF
speed OF such high order that she
won several match races for me with
the utmost ease Nutshell WAS the
name given to her by ms father.in-
law, aud out 81 respect for him did
not change II. although ! often
thought that il scarcely seemed fit.
ting FOR such glorious mare.
After hostilities had ceased my
Authoritarian insisted that ms wife
and | should make our home with
him. Having no plans for the imme
date future, was glad Of the OPP
pOrtunity, aud the months of June,
July August ANA September passed
away most happily.
The colonel looked al the window,
where the snpwhakcs were eddying.
and WAS evidently reading from the
open book OF the past
One day he resumed. zone or
the men on the place used more force
than ! thought was ncces sary in
hridling Nutshell. ana when | took
him 10 task he was insolent went
into the house 10 avoid trouble, for
| was quick tempered in those days.
bnt / couldn't forget the fellows
manner, and came 20 the door in
time 20 see him snatch at the curb
and throw the mare upon her
launches. Ia an instant / had him
by the throat, and I'd probably have
killed him Il they hadn't torn me
away The man Was discharged aud
after dinner, when we sat down for
an evenings enjoyment. the entire
episode was forgotten.
After some music my wife asked
me TO read aloud 10 the family, and.
approaching ms from behind with
the book, pat her arms about my
neck in way that was peculiarly
her own had grasped her by the
wrists aud was about 60 speak, when
the glass in French window at the
end Of the room was shattered. and
tho report 81 gan almost dcafcn-
"a us
~ remember" and the colonel
rose To his feet and began pacing
rapidly before the hearth. "that my
father-in-law and myself. with half
"A dozen servants ut our hccls rushed
upon tho piazza 4 scream from my
wife's mother brought me to the
drawing in an instant. and
there ! found my wife with head
pillowed upon her mothers bosom
and blood pouring from wound in /
her breast just below the heart
The scoundrel had missed my head /
by an inch or two ana reached 1
fairer mark The nearest phys ician +
was at Frcdericks burg, ten miles I
away, and the plank road was IN I
the worst possible condition. Shout. (
ing like mailman. | rushed to the /
barn, saddlcd Nutshell, and in less
than two minutes was gallopiug
madly for medical assistance
knew the folks at home would do
their best Go stay the flow Of blood. I
and shat everything rested in the
prompt attention of surgeon
spared neither whip nor spur but
urged the gallant mare until il
seemed that she must fall from sheer
exhaustion. and when the lights Of
fredericksburg rose before me the
mares sides were torn ana bleeding,
whore they were not white with
Ioam and was little less than u
mailman The doctor. who was an
Old friend, had not retired, aud he
was in the saddle and galloping
away Mt my side within few min
ites lie urged his horse, stout
half breed, TO his best pace, but he
was no match for Nutshell. and when
half the journey was completed he
aud fell heavily, throwing
The doctor far in advance drew
'ein and felt my very blood freeze in
ny veins when | heard him shout;
This Is bad business, Browne My
iorse has broken n log.
There was nothing else for it but
% have Nutshell carry double, or else
could abandon her To the doctor