The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-05-22

Fture is somewhere about here" she
seemed to say, and shiveredl
It was probably this which made me
.conf1de my unreciprocated affection tc
one of my neighbors-a man supposed
to be an authority on horses, and par
ticularly that wild species to which
Chu Chu belonged. 1t was he, who
leaning over the edge of the stall where
she was complacently, and as usual
obviously, munching - absolutely
dared to toy with pet lock of hair
which she wore over the pretty star on
her forehead. ''Ye see, captain" he
said, with jaunty easiness, ''hosses is
like wimmen; We don't want ter use
any stand-offishness or shyness with
them; stiddy but keerless sort o
familiarity, kind O free but firm
handlin', jess to let her see who's mas
ter"
We never clearly knew how it hap
pened But when picked up my
neighbor from the doorway, amid the
broken splinters of the stall rail and a
quantity of oats that tmysteriously filed
his hair and pockets, Chu Chu was
found to have faced around the other
way and was contei plating her fore
legs with her hind ones in the other
stall. My neighbor spoke of damages
while he was in the stall, and of phys
ical coercion when he was out of it
again. But here Chu Chu, in some mar
vellous way, righted herself, and my
neighbor departed hurriedly with a
brimless hat and an unfinished SEN
tence.
My next intermediary was Enriquez
Saltello, youth of my own age, and
the brother of Consuelo Saltello, whom
I adored. AS Spanish Californian he
was presumed, on account of Chu Chu's
half Spanish origin, to have superior
knowledge of her character, and | even
vaguely believed that his language and
accent would fall familiarly on her
ear. There was the drawback.
however, that he always preferred tc
talk in marvellous English, combin-
ing Castilian precision with what he
fonuly believed to be California slang
"To confer then as to thees horse,
plug! All, no! you can your boots bet
on that. She is of Castilian stock, be-
lieve me, and strike me deadl | will
myself at differen times overlook and
affront her in the stable; examine her
as to the assault, and why she should
do thees thing. When she is of the
exercise, will also accost and restrain
her. Remain tranquil my friend!
When few days shall pass much
shall be alleviated, and she will be as
another. Trust your onc1e to do thees
thingl Comprehend me! Everything
shall be lovely and the goose hang
high!"
Conformably with this he "over-
looked" her the next day with a cigar
cite between his yellow-stained finger
tips, which made her sneeze in 81
lent, pantomimic way and certain Span
ish Establishments of speech which she
received with more complacency. But
don't think she ever even looked at him
In vain he protested that she was the
dearest" and 'littlest" of his little
loves;" in vain he asserted that she
was his patron saint and that it was
his souls delight to pray to her. She
accepted the compliment with her eyes
fixed on the manger. When he had
exhausted his whole stock of endearing
diminutives, adding few playful and
more audaoious sallies, she remained
with her head down as If inclined to
mediate upon them. This he declared
was at least an improvement on her for
mer performances. 1t may have been
my own jealousy, but fancied she was
only saying to herself: Gracious! can
there be two of them?"
Courage and patience, my friend" !"
he said, as we were slowly quitting
the stable. Thees horse is yonge, and
has not yet the habitude of the per-
son. Tomorrow at another season
shall give to her foundling, l'fondl-
ing, have reason to believe was the
word intended by Enriquez); and we
shall see. 1t shall be as easy as to fall
away from log. A leetle more of this
chin music which you friend Enriquez
possesses, and some tapping of the head
and neck, and you are there! You are
ever the right side up! Houp lal
But let us not precipitate this thing.
The more haste we do not so much ac-
celerate ourselves"
He appeared to be suiting the action
to the word as he fingered in the door
of the stable. "Come on" l said.
Pardon" he returned with bow
that was both elaborate and evasive,
"but-you shall yourself precede me
the house is yours"
80, come along" continued, impa-
tiently. To my surprise he seemed to
dodge back in the stable again After
an instant he reappeared.
Pardon, but I am restraint Of a
truth, in this instant, am grasp by
the mouth of thees horse in the coat
tail of my dress. She will that should
remain. 1t would seem" he disap-
peared 'that"-he was out once
more-''the experiment is success!
She reciprocatei She is, Of q truth,
gone on me. 1t is lofe"-a stronger
pull from Chu Chu here sent him again
but. he was out now triumphantly
with half his garment torn away-"I
shall coquety
Nothing daunted, however, the gal
lant fellQY WAS back next day with a