The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-12-01
SECRETARY ROOT
RIDES HORSEBACK.
Though He Has Not by Any Means
Found the Animal He Wanted.

When Secretary Root was at Lake
Champlain with the President, he was
called upon to review the Twenty
sixth Volunteer Regiment. stationed at
Plattsburg Barracks, and he greatly
admired the sight Of the field officers
dashing abou the parade grounds upon
their curveting steeds. He was offered
a mount upon one Of these mettlesome
m but coyly refused and stuck
to terra firma.
But the fine picture remained in his
mind. and after his return, while sit
ting In his office, one fine afternoon, he
summoned to him Adjt.-Gen. Corbin.
General" he remarked. ct have been
a busy man for a number Of years
back"
Gen. Corbin bowed his head in as
sent.
And. General. for my business 1 have
neglected many pleasures-pleasures
n pastimes, sir-that I once enjoyed"
Yes, Mr.. Secretary"
One of which, General, 1 am sorry to
state, is the noble and king-like sport
OF equestrianism. All, horseback rid
ing-a firm seat and a steady hand, a
Sallop in he bracing air over a smooth
road! Could anything b. more enjoy
able?"
Nothing, Mr.. Secretary. Nothing"
We'll, General. to come to the point,
I find that now, in the course of my
duties, | shall need a suitable mount
occasionally. n you know there is
nothing like knowing the horse one has
under m l desire to make use of your
superior judgment in these matters"
Certainly, Mr.. Secretary"
las : said. | have neglected the eXer-
else, and. of course-ah,-weIl. 1 would
like an animal with a mild temper,
sweet dispositioned, you know, and a
broad back-the sort that is hard to
fall off Of"
Il understand. Mr.. Secretary. I will
I ask Gen. L~udinE-on. who has had con-
siderable mcEe experience than eitheI
Of US. 10 aid me il making the seiec-
ton"
And ] say. Cerc-aI.'' called the Sec
/ rotary. this need not be made public,
YOU know-not Just now, at any rate"
Yes. Mr. Secretary"
Gen. Corbin hurried up stairs to the
. office of the QudrJeTmaster General.
"LudinG.on:' he Easped, short OF
breath. the Secretary of War want us
to help him buy a horse-a riding horse
He wants a fue. sood looking horse,
with 4 broad bacz, so he can't fall off,
and gentle as a dog"
sure, Sure answered Gen. Lud-
ingtOn. Il can get it for him. Sure,
What color does he WANT"
wait a minute and I'll ask him."
Gen. COrbin retraced his steps and
found the Secretary waiting for him.
Mr.. Secretary, Ger. Ludington wants
to now what color horse you want"
"Ah, yes, let, me see. What color? I
had never thought of that. / always
/ rather fancied Il gray horse, you know;
| perhaps it was from a picture l once
saw. Yes. l believe it was. You re-
cali the magnificent gray horse Napo-
leon strides in the canvas. "Th Eve of
! Waterloo"
"A splendid animal. Mr.. Secretary"
And then there was Alexander's Bu-
cephalus-a magnificent black, if / re-
member. Black is a beautiful color for
4 horse"
: But. Nr. Secretary. Bucephalus was
well, ah.-you might say not exactly
well broken"
wei. sir, l have no objection to a
! sorrel. In fact. 1 am not particular
| about the color. sir. A broad back.
though. remember; that is the main
~point-and the disposition"
Gen. CoTbin again visited the Quar-
! .eTmasteT General.
'~'Ludington." he said, TIE Secretary
says he likes q gray, and he likes a
black, and a sorrel or a bay, or a straw
berry Toan-in fact, any - color,
Just SO the horse is gentle and he wont
fall Off
Sure, surer' said the Quartermaster
General. y will find him right away"
But Gen. Ludington was too san
| guine. for the horse has not yet been
purchased.
Then he was seen in earnest CONVEX
sation with the owner of a troop of
high school horses not long ago is GER
tain. but it is presumed no bargain
resulted as he is still on the hunt for
that race combination in horse flesh
possessing the naughty look and proud
bearing of Napoleon'S historic gray,
the undaunted spirit of Bucephalus,
and the even disposition of a Dobin.
but he is convinced that they are hard
to find.
He has contented himself with an or
binary saddle horse.