The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-12
strange Antics of an Old War Horse,

No soldier ever sees without a feeling OF
sympathy the famous and spirited French
painting which represents the old cavalry
horse, long since superanuatsd and given
over to the drudgery OF farm Work, PRICK
ing up his ears and charging across his
mean pasture when there come to him
from distance the long unheard but
never-to- be- forgotten clarion of the oaval-
ry trumpet. If any carper there be who
thinks that picture overdrawn he should
have been at Fort Sheridan recently to
witness the awakening effect that the
trumpet calls had on horse which form
erly belonged to the Seventh Cavalry,
hut which some time before had been con-
demned and sold out of the service.
The old charger had snuffed the battle
on many a field with the gallant regiment
to which he was attached. The active
dashing life was the very breath in his
nostrils, but he was sold in accordance
with law, though more just disposition
of the old campaIgner would have been
the taking him out and shooting him
or poisoning him.
A farmer bought him for few dollars
and took him over Libertyville way. One
day last week friend from distance
visited the farmer. The host took him
over to see the cavalry drill at Fort Sheri-
dan and to get him there hitched up his
recent purchase. When they arrived
within mile of the barracks there came
over the tree tops family but clearly the
tru,npeter's call of Assembly" After
that there was no further need for a
whip. The old charger drew his burden
through the south entrance of the reser-
walton at rafting pace. When the edge
of the cavalry plain was reached the
squadron of the Seventh Cavalry was just
marching in column of tours on to the
far end of the drilling ground.
"Fours left, march p rang the trumpet.
"Souadron halt" The notes came across
the field and the condemned cavalry horse
with his unaccustomed trappings was
dancing about like an Italians bear.
forward march; guide right" rang
the trumpet. The troopers moved for
! ward in squadron front.
"Guide centerp'
The bearers of the futtering guidons
dashed across the front of the advancing
line.
"Trotp' The line moved forward more
briskly and the dust began rising under
the hoofbeats.
The horse in the buggy was trying to
climb out of his harness.
"Gallop, charged sang the bugle and
the line sprang forward like bolt 1t
was too much for the endurance OF the
old campaigner and he .proved..too much
| for the strength of the farmer. He dashed
| forward at dead run down the road,
| bearing the buggy and its scared occupants
| behind him. Half way down he came
even with the advancing squadron, and
needless of bit and rein he turned sharply
to the left, tore through the fringe OF
hazel bushes, and took his pace ON the
left flank of the charging squadron, keep
ing pace with it and bouncing the buggy
and its burden over the lumpy drill
ground. 1t seemed an age to the farmer
and his friend before Capt. Hare saw
from out the enveloping cloud of dust the
pedicament of the strangers. 'Trot and
walk" came in quick succession from the
trumpet. There was a general slaokenine
of speed, in which the condemned horst
took his part. "Halt' called the trum
pet He halted SO suddenly that the driv
er and his companion were nearly preoipi
tated over the dasher and they looked Ri
though they would have been glad if the,
had been The farmer offered to sell tn,
horse back to the government at hal
price on the spot, but Capt. Hare had no