Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-10-07
THE BLUE RAT. "
nY nAMLIN GARLANp.
A KLONDlHE EPISODR.

A'N.N' ,
nature nature needed it might be
found in The history OF our ex
perience with the Blue Rat.
We came to know him through
our need Of a pony. We had two
5 rviceable pack horses, but We
II ed,d little pony to run along
behind and carry the tent and d
lew little traps Ike that.
\ citizen OF Qlesnelle possessed
such a steed. This cItyen vas d
German and bad haIrlip aud a
most seductive gentleuesS of voice
His name was Dippy, and gla dly
make him historical. ne sold me
the Blue Rat and gave ne chance
TO study "a new type of horse.
Her Dippy (Ddtch DlppD was
not a Washington Irving sort OF
Dutcj.mau; he cOnformed rather "a
The modern New York tradesman.
lie was small. candid and smooth,
very smooth OF speech. He SAID;
Yes, the pony is gentle lie can be
rode or packed, bat you better
lead him fora day or two till he
gels quiet
| di not see the pony till the
morning We hit the long trAiP on
the west side OF The Fraser river,
but my side partaer bad repOrte ii
him to tea nice little pony, round
AID fat aud gentle.' On that |
rested.
Ia the meantime Mr.. Dlppy
loiued us at the ferry. He held a
horse bl The rope AMI waited
around TO finish the trade. IpIe.
snmed b. intended to cross and de
livcI the pony, which was in IA
corral ON the west side, bnt ne
H>ped ont n hurried excuse. 'rhe
ferry is not coming back today an1
So
Well; paid hun the money on
the strength of my side partners
report; besides it was HoOson'S
choice.
Nc. Dippy took the 325 eagerly
and vanished into obScurltY. We
passed to the wild side of the
Fraser aud entered upon a long
ana intimate study of the Blue
Rat.
He shucked outof tic lOg STA II
smooth. round, le-bodltd Iitlls
ca,nse of q hlue-grty color. He
looked like a child's toy, but seem.
ed sturdy and of good condition
His foretop was BANGED and
he had the air o! a mischievouS,
resolute boy. Ills eyes were big
and black, and he studied us with
tranquil but iuquiuug gaze as We
Uut the pack saddle on him. He
was verS small.
lies not large, bnt he's a gentle
little chap said | to ease my
partner OF his dlSmay over the
pony's surprising smallness.
l believe he sbrduk during the
night replied my partner. He
seemed two sizes bigger yester.
dan
We packed him with a hundred
pounds Of our food. Wepnt small
bag Of oats on top and lAshed il all
on with rope, bile tue pony dozed
peace fully. Once or twice Thought
I saw bis ears Cross; one laid Oack ,
the other set forward-bad signs
but 1t wap doue so quickly not to
be sure otlt.
We packed the other horses
whilst the blue pony stood resting
one hind leg, his eyes dreaming
flung the canvass cover over
the bay pack horse .
sOmethug ln,k place. ! heard a
bang, a clatter, a rafting OF hOot
I peertd around the bav and saw
he blue pony performing some OF
rhe most finished, vigorous and
varied hucking il has eyer been
given me to witness He al but
brew somersets. He stood on hi
ears. lie bumped up bis back TIL
he Looked like u lean cat on a
graveyard lence. He stood Oh his
toe calks aud spun like weather
vaue on a livery stable, and wher
the pack exploded AMI the saddle
slipped under him he kicked 1t to
pieces by Lslng both hind hoof' as
gently as man would stroke his
beard.
After calming the other horses J
faced nv partner solemly-
o, by the way, partner, where
did You get tn { nice, qllet llitl
pony of YOursP
Partner smiled sbeeplshl'. 'Ihe
Ilftla INN. RnlfalO Bill ought 10