The Robesonian., 1909-04-01

a DOy IN urSult -E1OSCluIy anu
Hospitality-"Old Miss Nc
Gilberry and Her Darters
Equine Sagacity - 'Home,
Sweet Home"
Correspondence of The Robesonian.
Tim was beautiful colt, four
years old, a bright sorrel with a
blaze in his face, a silken coat of
as fine hair as horse ever wore,
with flowing name and tail and
legs as white as if they had been
decorated with linen stockings.
Withal he was full sixteen
hands high, carried high head,
had bright, tender eyes and was
gay enough to have borne on his
back a Taylor or a Scott.
He belonged to I,y eldest
brother, a present from my faith
er, purchased in the blue grass
regions of the Old Dominion.
Brother John petted and caressed
him and taught him many ac-
complishments. But he left home
and Tim became my friend and
constant companion. | rode him
to school at the institute in 1850
or 81.
We all thought that Tim was
the happiest horse in the county
of Robeson. No one dreamed
that he was restless, but when
the tender grass sprang up he
began to long for the green
meadows of Old Virginia, two
hundred miles away. He must
have been a horse of remarkable
memory and vivid imagination.
So one day Tim was missing; but
no one thought that he was try
ing to go back to his old Virginia
home. I supposed, of course,
that he was with some other
horses in the neighborhood. So
early one Friday morning | COM
menced the search. The faith
full old Sumpter, a good saddle
horse, carried me in a circle to
every home in the community,
and at eventide l found myself
about nine miles from home at a
cabin near a Mrs. Browns.
While talking with the good man
of the house. the lightnings
flashed, the thunders rolled, the
winds howled and I was con.
stained to put up my horse and
wait till the clouds rolled by. .
The rain poured in torrents and,
although there was but one room,
| could not move on, notWith
standing | was anxious to do 81
because of the scantiness Of
room. Fate was against me, and
as the young couple insisted or
my sharing their hospitalities,
accepted the situation gracefully
They had a nice babe which the.
seemed to idolize.
What pity that some married
ladies, with all the instincts o
motherhood, waste the wealth o
their affections upon a poodl
dog! Some one has said, "Wha
is home without a mother?" Ma
we not add, ''and her little cur
ly-headed children?'
| enjoyed an excellent suppe
and later, rested upon the onl
bed, while my generous friend
occupied an improvised pallet O
the floor. Having enjoyed a,
excellent breakfast Sumpter an
his rider struck out for Mr.. Oar
iel Currie's near Floral College
At Mr.. Currie's, the boy was E
home. Malcolm Currie, the eldes
brother, was first my teacher an
later the husband of one of m
sisters. switched me once
for getting the best of it in a Ii
tie skirmish with Sandy M
Geachy, but that was the fasl
ion. Here l found Neill, Angu
Evander and the Misses Marth
and Flora. The occasion W;
pleasant. Presbytery was in Sc
sion at Center. The next mornir
, we all went to church. Col. .Saun
ers once said to his wife, MAR,
these biscuit are entirely innoce,
of salt" leaving home as I did,
was entirely innocent" of none
So Angus loaned me a five doll
note, which Iregarded as suppl
ing felt want.
At Center, we found a congo
ton of horses and vehicles.
posted a notice which was he
full. The singing was excellel
Hundreds praised God in perfe
tune and euphonious harmon
Rev. Mr.. Campbell preached
great sermon on Paul's vision
heaven. That night Twas treat
most Hospitality, at the home
Major McEachern, near Luml
n river. Here | heard of my hor
U The next morning l found
trail. He had large feet, E
had been recently shod. Gre
. ing at Gilchrist's bridge, l for