The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-06

For myself. I am fond Of horses and
to have four hundred Of them, Of every
age and shade and character, all under
my own hands was very great pleas
ure to me. They were from Pomerania
for the most part, though some were
from Normandy and some from Alsace.
and 1t amused us to notice that they
differed in character as much as the
people of the provinces. We observed
also what l have often proved since.
that the nature of a horse can be told
by his color, from the coquettish light
bay, full of fancies and nerves. to the
hardy chestnut. and from the dOcile
roam to the pig-headed. rusty black.
All this has nothing in the world to do
with my story, but how is an officer Of
cavalry to get on with his tale when he
finds four hundred horses waiting for
him at the outset? 1t Is my habit, you
see. to talk of that which interests my
self, and so have hopes that l may
interest you.
We crossed the Vistula opposite Ma
rienwerder and had got as far as Rie-
senberg when Major Legenore came
into my room in the post house with an
open paper in his hand.
you are to leave me-" said he, with
despair upon his face.
1t was no very great grief for me to
do that, for he was, IL l may say so,
hardly worthy TO have such a subal-
tern. I saluted, however, In silence.
1T is an order from General Lasalle,"
he continued. you are to proceed to
Rossel instantly and to report yourself
at the headquarters Of the regiment"
No message could have pleased me
better. was already very we'll thought
Of by my superior officers. although /
may say that none OF them had quite
done me Justice. 1t was evident to me,
therefore. that this sudden order meant
that the regiment was about to see SER
vice once more and that Lasalle under
stood how incomplete my squadron
would be without me. 1t Is true that 1t
came at an incOnvenaent moment, for
the keeper Of the post house had a
daughter-one of those ivory skinned,
black haired Polish girls--whom I had
hoped to have some further talk with.
Still 1t is not for the pawn to argue
when the fingers of the player move
him from the square. 30 down went,
saddled my big black charger Rat
aplan, and set of instantly upon my
lonely journey.
My word, It was q treat for those
poor Poles and Jews who have SO little
to brighten their dull lives. to see such
q picture a. that before their doors.
Tho frnotv nj
plans great black limbs and the beauti-
full curves Of his back and sides CLEAN
and simmer with every gambol. As
for me the rattle Of hoofs upon road
and the Jingle Of bride chains which
comes with every toss Of a saucy head
would even now set my blood dancing
through my veins. You may think,
then, how I carried myself In my ave
and twentieth year. Eitienne Gerard.
the picked horseman Of Hussars. Blue
was our color In the tenth-a sky blue
dolman and pelisse with q scarlet front,
and It was said Of us In the army that
we could vet . whole population run
ming, the women toward US. and the
men away. There were bright eyes In
the Rosenberg windows that morning
which seemed to beg me to tarry. but
what can q soldier do save to kiss his
hand and shake his bride a. he rides
upon his wayf
It was . bleak season to ride through
the poorest and usiiest country An Eur
ope, but there was q, cloudlSsD sky
above end . bright cold sun which
shimmersd on ths huge snow nslds.
NY breath sssked ineo ~ frosty cir,