The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-03-01
NUTSHELL'S MAD RACE,
IT WAS A GALLOP FOR LIFE
AND THE MARE WON.
Tho Colonel Tells Why , Horses Foot
Tied With Blue Ribbons Hangs Over
His Fire. Place-A Wild Ride for the
Doctor at Midnight.

''See yonder horses foot. that hangs
on the nail over the fire-place?'' said
Colonel Browne meditativelv, as he
ficked the ashes from the tip OF his
cigar in his apartments. .. s
Ibid ever tell you how my mare
Nutshell saved the life OF my wife
away back in IS? No, think not"
and the colonel gazed long time
into the CHEEKY depths of the fire,
and sighed heavily two or three
times as the flood 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. I 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 father n-law was a
| racing man, a breeder of thorough
breds, and when | went back to my
| regiment carried with me a three
year-old mare as a present from the
old gentleman. who said that, having
no boy of his own, he wanted the
son of his adoption to be we'll
mounted and credit to the army.
The mare was a lovely chestnut in
color, and, although a little under
sized handled my $50 pounds as
though it 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 my father.in-
law, and out Of respect for him did
not change it, although l often
thought that it scarcely seemed fit
ting for such glorious mare.
"After hostilities had ceased my
fatherin-law insisted that my wife
and l should make our home with
him. Having no plans for the imme-
date future, | was glad OF the op-
portunity, and the months OF June,
July, August and September passed
! away mOSJ napplly.
The colonel looked at the window,
where the snowaakes were eddying,
and was evidently reading from the
open book OF the past.
"One day." he resumed, lone Of
the men on the place used more force
than I thought was neces sary in
brldling Nutshell. and when I took
| I, l.
into the house to avoid trouble, for
I was quick tempered in those days,
but couldn't forget the fellow s
manner, and came to the door in
time to see him snatch at the curb
and throw the marc upon her
launches. In an instant I had him
by the throat, and I'd probably have
killed him if they hadn't torn me
away. The man was discharged, anC
after dinner, when we sat down TO,
an evenings enjoyment, the entire
episode was forgotten.
After some music, my wife asked
me to read aloud to the family, and
approaching me from behind with
the book, put her arms about my
neck in way that was peculiarly
; her own. I had grasped her by the
wrists and was about to speak, wher
the glass in a French window at the
end of the room was shattered, ant
the report of a gun almost deafen
ed us.
Il remember" and the colone
rose to his feet and began pacing
rapidly before the hearth, THAT m,
-, | father-in-law and myself, with hal
a dozen servants at our heels, rushet
upon the piazzc. A scream from m
wife's mother brought me to tn
! drawing-room in an instant, am
there | found my wife with hea,
pillowed upon her m others bosom
and blood pouring from a wound il
her breast just below the heart
The scoundrel had missed my hea
by an inch or two and reached
fairer mark. The nearest phys icia1
was at Fredericksburg, ten mile
away, and the plank road was Il
) the worst possible condition. Shout
ing like mailman, l rushed to tn
barn, saddled Nutshell, and in les
than two minutes was gallopin
S madly for medical assistance.
j. knew the folks at home would d
Y their best to stay the flow Of blood
s and that everything rested in tn
e prompt attention of surgeon
|, spared neither whip nor spur, Blu
t urged the gallant mare until i
d seemed that she must fall from shee
n exhaustion, and when the lights {
g Fredericksburg rose before me tn
r mares sides were torn and bleeding
j. where they were not white wit
q | foam, and I was little less than
,. mailman. The doctor, who was a
a old friend, had not retired, and h
v was in the saddle and .gallopin
Y away at my side within few mil
l. utes. He urged his horse. stor
y half breed. to his best pace, but
:. was no match for Nutshell, and whe
half the journey was completed
stumbled and fell heavily, THROWN
l. the doctor far in advance. I DIRE
d ! rein and felt my very blood freeze