St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-03-22

IIDkIDg ilOiO lin 80 Ne~AN-
fell over the frequent lodges OF rock
in its descent to the valley. Besides
the gurgling and splashing of the
stream, the creaking saddle and my
iron shoes on the stony path alone
disturbed the silence of the woods.
Presently the path turned away
from the bed of the creek, and led to
a crumbling fence which enclrcled a
small open field in the heart OF the
forest. There we found ourselves IN
the presence of Jim, who stood hat
in hand before the chestnut bars
which he had already lowered for
our entrance. Botherum was rub
bling himself against one OF the posts,
and the brood mares threw up their
heads and whinnied a welcome from
the center of the field where they had
been cropping the grass in the sun
light.
"De aim lac fine de horses yer,
Missy" chuckled Jim, as he helped
Miss Eunice to dismount. 'Yo' kin
hide yo'sef in dat yer blue grass,
chile" he continued, addressing me,
as he stripped off the saddle and
scrubbed out it's prints on my back
Will lis olN@NN'
Miss Eunice took the reins gently
| from his hand, led me a few steps in
| to the pasture, and after removing
the bride and tossing it on the grass
she took my nose between her hands,
and kissed me on the nostrils, and
patted me between the eyes while the
tears glistened in her own.
I'VE have been great friends, Selim,"
she said, land you never behaved
badly but once" (My eyes closed,
and 1 hung my head lower, over
whelmed with remorse.) You are
the best and almost the only friend l
have left" II rubbed my head in
assent against her shoulder.) My
heart would be quite broken if you
should be taken away from me-"
(My ears dropped at the very
thought of such a calamity.) 1--WE
have had lovely races together,
Selim," looking me smilingly in the
eyes. Il tossed my head and whisked
my tail in ASSENT 81 love you,
Selim, and that settles it," said the
little woman. throwing her arms
about my neck (And l love you, l
replied as we'll as 1 was able, resting
my Jowl on her back And we
must never, never forsakeeach other"
And then, after this unequal dia-
logue, she walked back to the bars
through the grass. l followed close
behind her, quite subdued and over
come by her caresses, and Jim put up
the first cruel bar between us. A big
lump swelled up in my throat, and
my heart thumped tumultuously
against my ribs as | watched them
cross the open ground and disappear
among the trees. An indefnable
dread of some impending disaster
, took possession of me when 1 found
myself alone. In spite of the presence
of Botherum, who stood off in blank
eyed observation with a fine sense OF
propriety, felt desperately and mis-
erablv lonely, and after a few min
utes began to walk up and down
along the fence, lost in the sweet
memory of the kindness Of my mis-
treSS.
l had no appetite for the abundant
! grass that grew at my feet, and nc
, relish for any occupation save re
calling over and over again, with all
the vividness / could command, the
f caresses and tears and precious con
! fdences of my adorable mistress.
r kicked and laid back my ears at the
| intrusion of my field companions
and then hated myself when
! thought how she would regard such
7 exhibitions of temper on my part
2 Such unhappiness as l was consciou:
of vaguely mistook for happiness
, itself.
, 1t was only when Jim came dowr
. to assure himself of our safety, anc
, patch up the boundary fence. that
tolerated any companionship. fol
lowed him about with fondness
had never felt for him before, anC
waited for the messages 1 knew h
= was charged with. After he had pu
, up broken rail here and there, anc
2 driven in loosened stake, b,
: would observe my mute attention
+ and say Miss Eunice done send he
5 bes' lub to Sellm, an hope he feelln
f reasonable well dis mawnin' ;" or
e Miss Eunice say, tell Selirn sh
b 'bleged carry herself to de pos ofhc'
: yesterday on her own poor laigs
cause she dom das show a likely
! boss on de road"
So things went on for a who'll
> month until the leaves began to turf
= y yellow and crimson on the trees, AM
not sight had had of my dear mis-
: tress. The path was too rough TO
:, her foots." Jim said, "an' she war
. Jest we'll 'nuf to come cross de creel
- an tell me howdy.
u u While Jim was speaking l threw
- up my head at the sight of tw
- strange men standing by the bars
y Tim turned about and saw them toe
le 'De good Lawd help u.s." said jim
$ ''them's the dogon Yankee hos
# thieves shore 'nough." And whist
re- ling to me to follow him he made O
- to the other side of the field nretenC