The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31

and after thorough roll and rub he arose
In the same manner.
Then he came and stood beside his mas.
ter IN a confidential sort of way. still
keeping safe distance from me, an inter.
ested spectator of all his movements.
never saw yearling colt more manifestly
shy OF strangers. 1t was only after a deal
OF coaxing on my part and of shifting and
smelling upon Sans that he finally let me
stroke his glossy neck. He has never
been made timid by abuse, has hep" ]
asked, somewhat surprised at this.
"Abusel Look here" and raising his
clenched fist high in the air, Mr.. Barry
brought it down with q sudden. swift
swing of the arm, but light as feather.
straight between Sans eyes. The old
horse never flInched or lodged. He onlv
blinked, mildly, and moved not muscle.
1t was evident that he did not know the
meaning of a blow. 'He's not afraid he
will be hurt" said his owner.
But old Sam does not like modern i'm
provements. He is still pulling the high
spring wagon to which he was hitched
when Mr.. Barry bought him, twenty-eight
years ago, and he does not see what this
mad, hurrving world wants of new vehicles.
In particular he dislikes the bicycle, and
only fortnight ago took the bit in his
teeth and ran away with Miss Barry, by
way OF expressing his disapproval of the
silent rival within his territory. Electric
cars and locomotive engines he can toIer-
ate. He has no use for them himself, and
he evidently thinks them unworthy of his
notice. so passes them by with silent con.
tempt, but the bicycle he ''despises," and
never fails to create remoteness between it
and himself when he meets one on the
road.
The old horse has not been a stay-at-
home by any means. Mr.. Barry has
driven him IN the years they have lived
together through the length and breadth
OF this great State. During one long trip,
indeed, Sam and mis- mate Travelled, almost
steadily, for four months, averaging some
thirty miles day, q rate of travelling that
would have taken them TO New York CITY
with some hundreds OF miles to spare.
His travelling days are about over now.
There are no more long Journeys for him.
Mr. Barry has a "model ranch" of some
fifteen acres where the primo pal crop is
herbs. Sage and savory thyme and mar
joram grow there In long rows between
the fruit trees. To harrow and cultivate
these, and afterward to pull big, fragrant
principal work of Sans life now, and he
enjoys the exercise. In fact, If 1.-The young
horse" is taken and Sam is left behind
the big fellow will stand and whimper
like baby, coming to Miss Barry for com
fort in the slight that has been put upon
him.
Near the house grow great blackheart
cherry trees, planted a quarter century
ago, and now loaded with fruit. know
OF no more delightful spot on hot sum-
mer day than the north side of a big
cherry tree in the height of the fruit sea-
son. The great trees cast grateful shade;
soft breeze steals in between the long
rows. Overhead the birds make blithe
music the while they sample an occasional
cherry. Through the range of low-hung
branches you catch glimpse of distant
hills, and above all arches the wonderful
California sky, blue with that perfect blue
that will not be coaxed to the palette of
even our cunningest painter.
Here. staked whers he can Craze upon
the crisp green feed, old Sam spends
much of his time mildly ineditating upon
old times and past experiences.
left him standing thus, and shall love
to think of him living out his peaceful
last days cared for and loved by the master
who, in all these years, has never let him
learn what blow means.
Miss RUSSELL.