The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-05-27
Sir ROderick.

rEror The Little Animals Friend. London.]
We named him ''Sir Roderick," after
the last of the Gothic Kings. child OF
thirteen. l had been reading, IN absorb
cd fashion, the works of our own talent
ed American, Washington Irving.
When nv father told me my birthday
nresent was to be saddle horse my Joy
knew no bounds, and l would not have
exchanged places with any reignihg prih-
Sir Roderick-" Roddy" we called him,
familiar fashion-was an aii-over
bright bay, with beautiful prlgnt wnl.e
heart on his forehead. 1t was the spot
we loved to kiss. CO Inv,
uriant a growth that we hao constantly
to keep it trimmed. So
He was Canadian born, and thorough
hrad in every sense of the word: he
would race up the hills of Montreal at
hreakneck pace, and was never SO hap
nv az when on tearing gallop
Sir Roderick was an ideal saddle morse,
tender of mouth, gentle in his PAGES,
and with a heart OF gold. Perhaps he
was however. a bit restless and lmpetu-
GUS for child to handle properly:
we'll remember the day starting OF
while busily talking, and taking up the
cnrh- rein by mistake, the pain OF 1t
caused Roddy to spring forward unex-
nectedly. with the result that Mas shot
forword clear over his head on to the
soft turf.
His sorrow was evident. He trotted
over to where l lay. gently placed
forefoot upon my chest, and nozzAd his
velvet lips over my face lnqulrlngly: II
was onlv when l said, Its all right,
Roddy boy" that he lifted his 1901 ana
ct me rise. ,:u 18th
bridle-rein too slack, he stepped on
stone and fell to his knees. Quick as
flash | pulled HIM up. HIS wninhy ..
contrition Though he we'll knew the
Fault was mine) and the look he turned
NOV me would have disarmed any feel
ing of anger. ;, . u,o,ouor MO
rode along where there were raspberrles
or blackberry bushes he would stop, OF
bic own accord. for me to dlsmount and
pick him handful.
He had been taught to shake hands
rather a clumsy performance-to stand
on his hind legs, kneel at command anu
~ nod his head in reply to different ques-
He understood orders given in French.
for all his training had been done by
Canadians. He was gentle and loving
to everyone, always eager and happy,
hriyht. and full of life and youth and
lear old Roddy! My small world re-
VOWED about him, for Beppo, the New
foundlsnd, was then only two months OLD.
Roddy was often turned out 10 pas
ture, in the pleasant heids OF Elm
hurst" 1t was sight to gladden. any
ewes to see him prance OF, shaking ms. ms
beautiful head, name and tail streaming
in the breeze, and cavortlng around Ill
the sheer iov of being alive and young.
Mischieyous rogue that he was, he
would often allow stable-lad to call
him in vain. Even the rafting OF oats
NJ pan would not cajole him!
But obedient to my low call, he would
trot gently to the bars and follow me
homo tn he saddled. Indeed. his velvet
nose. on such occasions, frequently was
laid on nv shoulder as we walked, SO
thoroughly did we love and understand
Dear Roddy That was glorious
summer we had together in old Connetl-
cut!
Then came sad day of disobedience,
and Roddy was taken from me to be the
means of stern discipline.
II had threatened rain, and had been
forbidden to ride Thinking knew bet
ter than any "powers that were, l
nevertheless donned habit and started
forth.
Result, a torrential downpour, and,
worse luck, an accidental meetlng WIN
our parish rector, who, nnocently enough,
betrayed me at subsequent luhcheoh;
Nothing was said, however, at the
Tina and after heart breaking leave
taking of nv poor Roddy, went sadly
hut ionorantlv back to my Convent school
n the Northland.
The following June, learned that
Roddv's stall was vacant, and the reason
whvI 1t TRANSFERRED, years afterwards,
that nv elders deemed Sir Roderick too
much of a handful for so young a per-
son That. combined with the punish
ment due to me, led to Roddy's sale to
friend and neighbor. There he was
kindly treated and highly appreciated.
One long dreary summer passed with
out a horse of my own. l was always
allowed to drive the family pair, but had
To he content with an occasional mount
on nv fathers own especial pride
.'Dandy," the Kentucky gelding:
Then was fifteen, and "Nellie, - the
beateous. was given me, and renamed
with me for over twenty years, when
she died calmly, of old age, In her stall.
One of Roddy's shoes, nickle- plated,
inscribed, "Sir Roderick, and the date,
lies before me on my desk as write.
Splendid Roddy. Most intelligent of
horses! Surely you deserve the EIysian
fields. GRACE y. u. fAVhE.