Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-05-29

hounds. ana long way from any SONu
market was a matter OF wonder to
some folks. hut it was his hobby. ami
he could AFFORD to lose bit over It.
which he certainly did. Before settling
down on his northern estates he had
been a good rider to hounds and
fair Judge of horses. and he carried his
happy memories OF the Shires and the
Yorkshire Wolds into this land of Nnl,
picides. where his keepers ranked the
fox With ordinary vermin Elsie hal
had no chance of learning her horse
manship in the field. but nevertheless
was very pretty rider, thanks to her
fathers tuition, and, fearless as 4
young kitten, could mount anythinS
she could persuade the old stud groom
to let her try.
But her favorite was a grand up
standing black, the envy of every life
guardsmau who visited Dundava, with
coat like a satin kirtle and grand tall
just banged-my uncle allowed no
docks,
He knew his mistress well, and
though usually difficult to ride, never
pulled an ounce in her light hand, a ,
carried her to perfection.
Black Eagle now stood by the step,
and in a moment or two acknowledged
the light form and gentle hand of his
lady by a series of Curvets, more dis
turbing to the gravel than to her polse.
She was a picture, with her bright, fan
locks neatly twisted under straw hat
her blue eyes glanCing; the little
rather impertinent nose, softened in eff
feet by the mouths sweetness; the tall
figure in its plain gray habit undulaj-
ing like a flower stem in the breeze 10
every movement of her pet
My own mount was in its way as
perfect-a dappled drab, noted for MS
calm and eQuable disposition anG
charming PAGES, for | was not great u
the saddle. and though | loved a good
gallon when all conditions fitted. dill
not like either my nerve or my "scs-
sion severely tested.
"Whorc away?' | inquired when We
! two had fairly started, We took no
/ servant, as often, through the lonely
miles and miles of lovely Scotch fir and
| heather. changing in places to sylvan
scenes mtre varied, nothing stranger
than squirrel or rabbit would cross
our route
"Oh, said Elsie, It's early yet
we've plenty of time to take the river
side, and down towards Cairn Crags
and home by Rhynnie wood on chance
of meeting of Jan.
So away we cantered that morn OF
early juno, thinking Of nothing but en-
| joyment. How deucious the scent o,
| the pollen that flew from the blossom
| ing frs as the wind of our going stir
red their lower branches; how lovely
the sun on their ruddy tops when gaps
in the forest made harbor for beams
and rays of dazzlement. Away We
cantered through me approaches
through the big iron gates, always
open when the family were at home
| down to the river drives where the
| Clark stream flowed solemnly below us
or broke its temper over rOughcr
reaches where the rocks closed in and
narrowed it's way We didn't talk
much after awhile; we had said all
our say, and the sound of the water and
| the song of the birds were more delight.
full than any human tones could have
been just then BY and by our roac
! Ceyiatod from the course Of the stream
as We neared the region called Caiw
Crags. Here the geological formation
! had changed and the rocks were al
solid pIamiro; their lovely rcd blotchos
land markings so picturesque by tae
! apple grcenness Of early summer yet
reminded one Of dark traditions handed
down as to the doings of Elsie's Zero
cIous forbears. For among the
tumbled ROCKS and stone heaps were
great caye-like creyices where, they
whispered, men, hiding had beer
| smoked out like wasps and slaughtered
as they fed forth, so that their blood
made eternal stains upon the stones.
But it was now all still and sweet ant
| lovely. Our path 1--WE had left the
drive) was on sward that made our
hoof reads soundless, and widened out
into small park-lillc plain, with tho
great crags topped by ancient frs rie
ing on one hand and on the other low
err and more shattered rocks, All rcd
granite. heather mixed, tossed them.
selves away into the verge Of the great
forests that ran for miles and miles on
the Dundava property
We were speeches. and admirinp
and SO quiet was our approach that
several rabbits, popping in and out OF
the nearer cairns took no notice of our
coming.
Such light breaths of air as there
were met our faces and blew the golu
On strays of hair into Elsie's eyes.
looked at h-F. Our pace had brought
faint flush into her cheek, her ex
preston was one of a most spiritual
happiness as she gazed round on the
lovely scenes; and felt how little won,
der it was that Missile" as servants
and employees called her, in old Scotch
fashion. lived the JOY and pride Of us