PREPARATIONS FOR RIDING. 75 



tious shop-keeper said that he had plenty of 

 felt slippers, and that he had one pair made 

 for a Chicago girl which were not large 

 enough for her, but he thought they might go 

 on over my boots. They did. So much for 

 stirrups and boots. 



To change to the head. Put your soft felt 

 hat in your pocket. Wear a toboggan cap, 

 which may be pulled down over your ears, and 

 over your nose if need be, while you look 

 through the meshes. Wear a cardigan jacket, 

 and button your pea-jacket tightly around 

 your neck. Carry your stable-blanket in this 

 wise, remembering that you are to use a 

 McClellan saddle, as I counselled you to do 

 not long ago ; double the blanket, and, leaving 

 just enough to go under the saddle, allow the 

 most of it to fall over the horse's neck till you 

 are mounted. Having mounted, pull the re- 

 mainder of it over your legs, and start, for 

 now you are ready. You may face snow- 

 storms and blizzards, and you will actually 

 enjoy them as I did. 



I was bound to Irvington, for my first stop- 

 ping place, and after riding through the park, 

 and bestowing pity upon some friends whom I 

 met perched upon their skeleton sleighs, vainly 



