LIFE SKETCH. I5 



dodgers were issued on the occasion, as has been the 

 custom since, wherever I have been expected, a goodly 

 company was collected — enough to "fill the bill," at any 

 rate, and all that the event required. 



Very early in life I evinced a great fondness for 

 horses. Ever since I can remember my father, he was 

 the owner of vicious horses, knowing well the fact 

 that such animals are generally good ones. Thus I 

 had a rare opportunity for developing my leading in- 

 herited passion, which became quite marked before I 

 was eleven years of age. At that time, unknown to 

 my father, I succeeded, after trying for two days, in 

 harnessing and driving a young, nervous, excitable, 

 well-bred, fast horse he had lately purchased — the 

 former owner having disposed of it on account of its 

 liability to run away. In an old chaise I set out for 

 Dana, for which place my father and mother had al- 

 ready started. After an hour's ride I passed them at a 

 break-neck pace, was soon out of sight, and reached my 

 destination safely. My father was much frightened, 

 expecting to see me dashed to pieces by the horse he 

 was himself afraid to drive. I received much praise 

 for my daring from those who saw me drive up as I 

 did; and my father could not make up his mind to 

 punish me, as he had determined to do, but finally 

 made me a present of the horse. This animal was 

 afterwards sold for about three hundred dollars. I 

 relate this incident merely to show that thus early in 

 life I had as strong a desire to master and control a 

 horse as I have now. 



When my father went to Iowa I was about twelve 

 years old, and when he presented me with a beautiful 

 cow pony I thought my happiness was about com- 

 plete. There seemed to be no enjoyment except with 

 my faithful horse. While driving cattle, all I had to 



