Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-17
Copyright 1904. The Bobbs-Merrill Company.

gelding Warburton had ever laid eyes
on.
What beauty!" he exclaimed en-
Enthusiastically, forgetting that grooms
should be utterly without enthusiasm.
He reached out his hand to pat the
black nose, when a warning cry re-
strained him. Pirates ears lay fat.
Take care! He lis bad-tempered
animal. No one rides him and we
keep him only to exhibit at. the shows.
Only half dozen have ridden him
with any success. He won't take a
curb in his mouth and he always runs
away. 1t takes a very strong man to
hold him in. l really don't believe
that he's vicious, only terribly mis-
chievous, like bullying boy"
81 should like to ride him"
The girl looked at her new groom in
a manner which expressed frank as
constituent. Was he in earnest, or
was it mere bravado? An idea came
to her, mischievous idea.
IF you can sit on Pirates back fol
ten minutes there will not be any ques-
ton Of probation. promise to engage
you on the spot, recommendation or no
recommendation" Would he back
down?
Where are the saddles Madam %
he asked calmly, though his blood
moved faster.
'On the pegs behind you" -becom-
ing interested. do you really intend
to ride him?"
with your permission"
Il warn you that the risk you are
running is grsat.'
II am not afraid of Pirate, Madam, y
In tone which implied that he was
not afraid Of any horse living. Tt.
spirit of antagonism rose up in him,
that spirit of antagonism of the human
against the animal, that eternal ambi-
ton Of the one to master the other.
And besides, I'm not sure that James
didn't want to show off before the girl
another very human trait in man
kind. For my part, I wouldn't give
Yesterdays rose for a man who
wouldn't show off once in while,
when his best girl is around and look
ing on.
On your head be it, then"-a sud
den nervousness Selling her. Yet she
was as eager to witness the encounter
as he was to court it. "William!" she
called. The stable-boy entered, setting
aside his broom. "This is James, the
new groom. Help him to saddle
Pirate
Saddle Pirate, Miss Annesley!"
cried the boy, his mouth open and his
eyes wide
"You see?' said the girl to War
burton.
Take down that saddle with the
hooded stirrups," said Warburton,
briefly. He would ride Pirate now,
even if Pirate had been sired in Beel-
zebub's stables. He carefully inspected
the saddle, the stirrup-straps and the
girth. very good, indeed. Buckles
on saddles are always hidden menace
and constant danger. Now, bring
out Pirate, William"
William brought out the horse, who
snorted when he saw the saddle on the
floor and the curb on Warburton's
arm.
There hasn't been anybody on his
back for year, sir, not since last
winter. He's likely to give you trou-
ble." said the boy. "You can't put
that curb on him, sir: he won't stand
for it moment. Miss Annesley, hadn't
you better step outside? He may
start to kicking. That heavy
English snattle is the best thing
know Of. Try that, sir. And don't let
him get his head down, or he'll do you
Whoa!" as Pirate suddenly took it into
his head to leave the barn without
any ones permission.
The girl sprang lightly into one Of
the empty stalls and waited. She was
greatly excited, and the color in her
cheeks was not borrowed from the pop
lies. She saw the new groom take
II beS NY lie OlelOCh, anu, quicker
than words can tell, Mr.. Pirate was an
grily champing the cold bit. He reared
Warburton caught him by the nose and
the neck. Pirate came down, trembling
with rage.
Here boy; catch him here" cried
Warburton. William knew his bust
ness, and he grasped the bride close
under Pirates jaws. "That's it. Now
hold him"
Warburton picked up the saddle and
threw it over Pirates glossy back.
Pirate waltzed from side to side and
shook his head wickedly. But the man
that was to mount him knew all these
signs. Swiftly he gathered up the end
Of the belly-band strap and ran it
through the iron ring. In and out he
threaded it, drawing it tighter and
tighter. He leaped into the saddle and
adjusted the stirrups, then dismounted.
I'll take him now, William said
James smiling.
"All right, SIR" said William, glad
enough to be relieved of all further re-
sponsibility.