Oxford Democrat., 1906-11-13
P SH A
The Son Of
Selim
By SEWELL FORD
Copyright, laV, by Charles Scrib-
nsr's Sons
p ONG. far too long. has the
L. story of Pasha, son of Selim,
,c-d -; 80 remained untold.
n,t~o .,,o,x onltp, x,n,, 1ynaxtv

his many sons Pasha was one.
In almost idyllic manner were spent
the years of Pasha's coltdOm. They
were years Of pasture roaming and
blue grass cropping. When the time
was ripe began the hunting lessons.
Pasha came to know the feel Of the
saddle and the voice of the hounds. He
was taught the long, easy lope. He
learned how to gather himself for u
sail through the air over Il hurdle or a
water jump. Then. when he could
take five bars clean, when he could
clear an eight foot ditch. when his
wind was SO sound that he could lead
the chase from dawn until high noon.
he was sent to the stables Of Viz
ginia tobacco planter who had need OF
a new hunter and who could afford
Arab blood.
In the stalls at Gray Oaks stables
were many good hunters. but none bet
ter than Pasha. Cream white he was
from the tip Of his splendid, yard long
tail to his pink Tipped muzzle. His
coat was Us silk plush. his neck a.
supple as swans, and out OF his
big, bright eyes there looked such in
telligence that one half expected him
to speak. His lines were all long.
graceful curves, and when he danced
daintily OH his slender legs one could
see the muscles fex under the delicate
skin.
Miss Lou claimed Pasha for her very
own at first sight. AS no one at Gray
Oaks denied Miss Lou anything at all,
to her he belonged from that instant.
OF Miss Lou, Pasha approved thor
oughly. She knew that bride reins
were for gentle guidance, not for saw
ing or jerking, and that riding crop
was Of no use whatever save to un.
latch e gate or to cut at an unruly
hound. She knew how to rise Oh the
stirrup when Pasha lifted himself In
his stride and how to settle close To
the pigskin when his hoofs hit the
ground. In other words. she had q
gool seat, which means as much to
the horse as it does to the rider.
No paragon, however, was Pasha.
He had temper. and his wbims were
rs many as those Of schoolgirl. He
was particular as to who put on his
bride. He had notions concerning the
manner in which Il currycomb should
he used. 4 red ribbon or bandanna
handkerchief put him in rage. while
;;rcc:l. the holy color Of the Mohamme'
t.al, aoothel his nerves. \ lively pail
Of Heels he had, and he knew how to
use his teeth The black stable boys
found that out, and so did the stern
face! ilan who was known Us Mars
Clayton. This Mars Clayton had rid
den i'asha once. had ridden him as he
rode bis big. ugly, hard bitted roam
hunter. and Pasha had not enjoyed
the ride. Still, Miss Lou and Pasha
often rode out with Mars Clayton and
the parrot nosed roan-that is, they
did until the coming of Mr.. Dave.
In Mr.. Dave, Pasha found a new
friend. From far northern state was
Mr.. Dave. He had come In n ship to
buy tobacco, but after he had bought
his cargo lie still stayed at Gray Oaks,
ito complete Pasha's education" 30 he
said.
Many ways had Mr.. Dave which
Pasha liked. He had a gentle manner
OF talking to you, Of smoothing your
fianks and rubbing your ears, which
gained your confidence and made you
sure that he understood. He was firm
and sure In giving commands, yet SO
patient In teaching one tricks that II
was pleasure to learn.
So almost before PaSha knew 1t nc
could stand OH his hind legs, could step
around In circle I'm time to Il tune
which Mr.. Dave whlstled and could do
other things which few horses ever
learn to do. His chief accomplishment,
however. was to kneel OIL his forc.r.E-
In the attitude Of prayer. A long time
II took Pasha to learn this. but Mr.
Dave told him over and over again. by
word nnd sign. until Mt last the son OF
the great Selim could strike pose
such as would have done credit to
Mecca pilgrim.
Many glorious gallop did Pasha
and Miss Lou have while Mr. Dave
stayed ut Gray Oaks, Dave riding the
big bay gelding that Miss Lou, with
all her daring. had never venturcd to
mount. II was not all gallOping
though, for Pasha and the big bay
often walked for miles through the
wood lanes side by side and very close
together. while Miss Lou and Mr.. Dave
talked, talked, talked. How they could
ever find so much to say to each other
pasha wondered.
But at last Mr.. Dave went away
and with his going ended good times
for Pasha, at least for many months
There followed strange doings. There
was much excitement among the sta
bic boys, much riding about, day and
night, by the men Of Gray Oaks and
no hunting at ALL One day the stables
were cleared Of all horses save Pasha.
OF course Pasha knew that some.
thing unusual was going on, but what
it was hc could not guess. There
CAM Il time, however when he found
OFT ali about it. Month; had passed
when late one night hard breathing
foam :plo,c.ied. mud covered hG:sc
va: ridden Into the yard and takeh
into the almost deserted stable. Ia
slIa heard tie harsh voice CT Mars
L'Ia: ton swearing ut the stable boys
I.asllu hear.l his own naLie spjSen AMI
guessed that 1t was he who was want
ed. Next came Miss Lou to the stable
I'm very sorry" he heard Mars
Clayton say. "but I've got to get OFT or
this. The Yanks are not more than
five miles behind"
"But you'll take good care OF him,
won't you?" he heard Miss Lou ask
eagerly.
"Oh, yes, Of course" replied Mars
Clayton carelessly.
A heavy saddle was thrown on
Pasha's back, the girths pulled cruelty
tight, and in u ;iomeat Mars Clayton
was on his back. They were barely
clear Of Gray Oaks driveway before
Pasha felt something he had never
known before. It was as II some one