Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-05-31
A RIDE ON HORSEBACK.
BY GUY DE MAUPAssANT.

husbands small salary. Two children
had been born, and the first embarrass.
ment became humble, concealed, shame
full poverty, the poverty of aristOcrats de-
termined not TO lose caste.
Hector de Gribelin had been brought
up in the fraternal country house and ed
ucated by an old able. The family was
not rich. but always kept up appear
ances When he was 20 they got him a
position. and as a clerk, paid at the rate
of 1900 francs a year. he entered the
marine administration. He failed to sue
coed, as do many not early prepared for
the struggles of life, who see exist ence
through a cloud. are ignorant of ways
and means and in whom special aptitudes
have not been cultivated from early child
hood, who lack energy, and to whom has
been given no arm or tool to hold. His
first three years in the office were terri
bic. He looked up some old friends of
his family, poor and behind the times,
who lived in the dull streets of the Fau-
bourg Saint German, and he had formed
circle Of acquaintance.
Strangers to modern life, poor and
proud, these needy aristOcratS lived on
the upper floors of gloomy houses. From
ants We're titled, but money was scarce
en- the first floor as well as on the sixth.
Strong prejudiceS, worship of rank and
determination not to sink from it char
acterized these families, formerly bril-
liant but now ruined by the inactivity of
the men. Hector de Gribelin met in this
society young girl. like himself poor
and noble, and he married her. She had
two children in four years.
lDurlng these fOur vpnrS tho coup1a
harasSed by poverty, knew no pleasures
other than a Sunday walk on the Champs
ElySeeS aud an occasional evening at the
theater, thanks to free passes given by
some colleague.
However, towards the spring some ex-
ira work was given to the employee by
his chief and he received in payment
300 francs.
When he brought home this money he
said to his wife:
My dear Henrette. we must have a
treat, perhaps an excursion with the
children" And after a long discussion
it was decided that they would 20 and
breakfast in the country
For once" said Hector, let us enjoy
ourselves. We will take Il carriage for
you, the children ana nurse. and | will
hire horse from the riding school. That
will do me good"
All through the week nothing but the
projected party of pleasure was talked
about. Every evening ON returning from
the Office Hector seized his elder son,
put him astride his leg, and violently
jumping him, exclaimed;
This is how papa will gailop next
Sunday. And all day long the boy
straddled the chairs, and as he dragged
them about the rooms cried
This is papa on horseback"
At meals Hector spoke of nothing but
riding, relating his exploits of former
days. Oh. the animal once between his
legs. he would fear nothing, nothing
whatever. Rubbing his hands, he said ia
his wife:
IF they give me a rather frisky horse
| shall be enchanted. You will see how
| can ride, and if You like. we can come
home by tn Champs Elysees at the
| time people are returning from the Bots
| As we shall make Il good appearance.
should not be sorry 10 meet some one
from the office. Such things make one
| respected"
| On the appointed day the carriage ant
| the horse reached the door at the same
moment. Hector at once went to lool
| at his mount. He lifted and felt ON,
| after another the animals legs. stroke,
| his neck, opened his mouth, examined III,
| teeth. announced his age. and as IN,
| family appeared, delivered a little adj
! dress on horses in general and on thi,
one in particular. When every one wa,
| seated in the carriage he tested tn,
| ElrthS of the saddle, then raising him
! self by stirrup. fell upon the back o,
! his steed which began to dance ant
| nearly unseated the cavalier Hector
| agitated, tried to quiet him.
Gently, gently, sir; So, So
| Then when the rider and horse wer,
| Calmed the former asked:
Are you ready
Al the voices answered. YES"
| Then he commanded: start"
| Aud the cavalcade departed.
| MI eyes were fixed on him. He trottc,
| in English fashion. oXaggerating the rise
Hardly did he touch the saddle befor,
he bounded into space. OFTEN h,
showed Il tendency to fall upon III,
horses neck; his features were contract
ed; his checks pale. HIS wife. vino ha,
on her knees one Of the children. and IN,
| nurse who held the other. repeated in
CeSSantly:
Look at papa, look at papa"
And the two boys, excited by the occa
sion, uttered shrill cries. The hors,
broke into a gallop. and from affair Hef
tor called to his wife:
Make the children stop screaming
my horse will run away
They hreakfasted on the grass in tn,
woods of Nesinet. Hector continual,
rose to look after his mount. patting hi,
neck and giving him bits of bread. cak,
and sugar.
He is fine trotter." Hector declared
AT first he shook me little, but. as YOU
saw, | quickly recovered myself; he soor
knew his master: he will be quiet now.
As had been settled, they returned hy
the Champs Elysees. The wide aveuut
was crowded with vehicles. the sidewalks
were thronged. Hector's steed, aftel
passing the Avenue de Triomphe. wa,
seized with fresh ardor and began to trot
baSkly toward his stable. despite all hi,
riders efforts TO moderate the mace. The
carriage was now far behind: and when
opposite the Palais de rIndustrie the
animal. seeing free space before him
broke into a gallop. An old woman was
quietly crossing the street directly IL
dcctor's path, Unable to control his
horse, he shouted nj the top Of his lungs
Halo there! Halo there
Perhaps she was deaf, for she CALMLY
walked on until, hit by the horse. she