The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-11-05
1.-THE BLUE RAT"
a K1o11d11xe Episode,
by HAMLIN GARLAND.

guile. We're proof of that natur
needed it might be found in the his
tory of our experience with the Blu
Rat.
We came to know him through on
need of q pony. We had two service
able pack horses, but we needed lit
tie pony to run along behind ant
carry the tent and a few little traps
like that.
A citizen of Quesnelle possessed
such a steed. This citizen was {
German and had a hairlip and mostse
ductive gentleness Of voice. His name
was Dlppy, and I gladly make hin,
historical. He sold me the Blue Rat
and gave me chance to study q new
type of horse.
Herr Dippy Dutch Dippy) was not
Washington Irving sort of Dutch
man; he conformed rather to the mod
ern New York tradesman. He was
small, candid and smooth, very smooth
OF speech. He said: eyes, the pony
is gentle. He can be rode or packed,
but you better lead him for a day or
two till he gets quiet"
did not see the pony till the morn
ing we chit the long trail' on the
west side Of the Fraser river, but nv
side partner had reported him to be a
nice little pony, round and fat and
gentle" On that rested.
In the meantime Mr.. Dippy Joined
us at the ferry. He held a horse by
the rope and waited around to finish
the trade. I presumed he intended
to cross and deliver the pony, which
was in corral on the west side. but
he lisped out ahurried excuse. "The
ferry is not coming back today and
So"
Well, I paid him the money on the
strength of my side partners report;
besides it was Hobson's choice.
Mr.. Dippy took the $25 eagerly and
vanished into obscurity. We passed
to the wild side of the Fraser and en-
tered upon long and intimate study
Of the Blue Rat.
He shucked out of the log stable a
round, lithe-bodied little cav
use OF a blue-gray color. He looked
like chiId's toy, but seemed sturdy
and Of good condition.
His foretop was Changed, and he
had the air Of a mischievous, resolute
BOY. His eyes were big and black,
md he studied US with tranquil but
nquiring gaze as we put the pack
saddle on him. He was very small
Hes not large, but he's gentle
little chap" said I to ease my partner
II MS dismay over the pony's surpris.
ng smallness.
II believe he shrunk during the
llght," replied my partner. "He
eemed two sizes bigger yesterday"
we packed him with a hundred
'oundS OF our food. We put small ,
ag Of oats on top and dashed it all on !
nth rope, while the pony dozed
eacetully. Once Or twice I thought 8
saw his ears cross; one laid back the !
Their set forward bad signs-but it =
as done so quickly I could not be q
Ire of it. g
We packed the other horses whilst +
le blue pony stood resting one hind r
g, his eyes dreaming. :,
L flung the canvas cover over the
~ pack horse soma
ing took place. I heard o bang q = =
after, a rafting of hoofs. I peered j. j.
ound the bay and saw the blue poDv h Il
some of the most finished - -
gorous and varied bucking it has ~ ~
er been given me to witness. He ~ ~
but threw somersets. He stood on .,
ears. He bumped up his back till ~
looked like lean cat on grave :"
"a fence. He stood on his toe calks ~
q spun like weather vane on ~
cry stable, and when the pack ex- %
'ded and the saddle slipped under Ct Ct
n ne Kicked 1t to pieces by using q,
tn hind hoofs as gently as q man % w.
uld stroke his beard. ":
After calming the other horses Ii
ed my partner solemnly. n,
20, by the way, partner, where did u,
i get that nice, quiet little blue III {i'
ny of yours?" III
Partner smiled sheepishly. "The oil oil
lie imp Buffalo Bill ought to have to-
It pony" !o'
We'll, now" said l, restraining nv 1 P,
ghter, the thing to do is to pnt A''
t pack :i5 on SO it will stay. That oh
~ will try the same thing again, On
g." "o"'it' Bu
We packed him again with great t n,,
9, His big innocent black ewes old aid
ming under his bang were little m n,e
re alert, but they showed neither F 17
: nor rage. We roped him in everv dr.
ceivable way. and at last we dared mi W.
to do his prettiest. no
lie did it. All that had gone be- ow
} was merel y preparatory, blood y" ~
ming, SO to say; the real thing his
, took place, He stood up on his I Itls
| legs and shot into the air, aligbt- o ar1
On MS tour feet as if to pierce the fra,