The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-06-01
THE STORY OF
JAMS PONIES.
How They Stormed a House Like a
Troop Of Cavalry.

How They StOrmed a House Like
Troop of Cavalry.
BY ELLA +. MOsBY.
The Black Troop had ravaged the
country during the war. Even after
defeat, in which they had been so cut
to pieces that the surviving members
fled to other countries, and took ser
vice, and after peace was declared, fire.
quently a rumor Of their approach TO
some village or outlying country dis
trict would cause a wild panic, and a
flight of the inhabitants.
Ny father-in-law, the old general,
had decided to retire from the service,
and seek a home in an old dmanor-house
on the northern seacoast, all that was
left TO him Of once large estate. He
was very indignant because he heard
that II had been taken 10y some people
who hsd turned it into a tavern. They
had first proposed to rent it, but
afterwards availed themselves cf the
war, and the unsettled state OF the
country, to keep forcible possession of
it. The general was now on his way
10 regain his property, travelling with
his own carriage and stout horses, and
carrying his whole household after the
following style:
On the box sat Fritz, the generals
body-servant, who could do anything
in an emergency, and who was now
driving, because our driver had de-
serted US several leagues back, alarmed
by the rough roads, the gloomy skies,
and the rumors Of the Black Troop. l
sat beside Fritz; inside was the old gen.
eral himself, and his cane, which he
called "Fritz the littie;" beside him my
wife, and opposite 10 them, Bettine,
our old nurse, and her faithful but
homely daughter, Rebecca.
On my wife's lap and the nurses
were our twins, Janchen and Peterkin,
two merry, chubby, mischievous imps
of five, and Rebecca carried "the
Countess" a high-bred Maltese cat
that had never wet her velvet -shod feet.
Behind the carriage rode David the
gardener, and large stag-hound, my
especial comrade, ran abreast of the
horses.
So we iourneyed with our whole es-
tablishment, prepared TO strike deep
roots in the old land-proprietor's native
soil, but as We drew near our goal il
was at a slow rate. The storm was
upon us in good earnest, sleet and driv
ing snow, and a wind that stung like
whip. We were not very sure of our
road, and, unfortunately, we met only
frightened peasants fleeing from their
homes, who were able to artieulate but
one phrase distinctly:
''The Black Troop! The Black
Troops'
''What are these people talking orr
asked the general in surprise. Peace
was was proclaimed three weeks ago."
''But the Black Troop does not care
for that, y answered mans voice out
Of the dark. "a week ago twas pro-
claimed that our property should be
untouched, and what did they care?
They took all my ponies; not one have
/ left to my name.n
''What is your name, my good fell
low; and can you show US the road to
the manor-house?"
my name is Jan, sir, Jan of the
Moor, and live by herding ponies. As
for the manor, tbs said the Black
Troop have quartered themselves there,
and all the house-people have fled,
taking the steep cliff road TO keep out
Of their clutches. Like as not, the
villagers have run away too"
'Show us the road honest Jan, and
and well manage the Black Troop"
called out the general.
Twas, indeed, high time for US to
reach some shelter, for we had travel
ed all day, and mother and babies were
worn out with fatigue. Besides, our
stock of provisions had given out. We
believed, however, that the men of the
Black Troop were not in a hundred
miles OF Us.
"There may be some drunken sol
diers," suggested my wife, with an
anxious glance towards Janchen and
PeIerkin.
Jan Of the Moor proposed that we
should follow him as quietly as possi-
bic, and he would try to reconnoiter.
We saw nothing, we heard nothing,
but the storm itself, until we got near
the great courtyard. There, indeed,
were strange sounds, stamping, neigh
*, whinnying, and in the stream of
light from an open door somewhere,
we could discern shadowy forms mov-
ing about about in the dark.
cit looks like cavalry" said the gen.
eral.
Our guide made Us q sign TO remain
still just where we were, while he erept
forward. One or two shifted the air,
then came a loud whinny, and an ca
ger rush forward with leaps and pran-
cling and wiId-howing names. Jan
gave keen whistle, then cried out:
MY ponies, my own ponies! Come
along. There's nobody here"
We drove in, full famazement. The
outer door was unbarred, evidently left
50 in the panic-stricken flight from
JAMS ponies, which had escaped from
their captors and were seeking their
friend and master.
Fritz and Jan contriyed to open the
stables, and give the animals shelter
aud food. II was pretty TO see how