DELIGHTS OF THE BOAD. 15 



thoroughbred, and galloping over verdant turf, every 

 bound of the horse sending the blood dancing through 

 my veins, as different from the sluggish stream in the ar- 

 teries of the votaries of fashion, as the mountain brook is 

 opposite to a Mississippi bayou, yet I can enjoy the de- 

 lights of the road as well as my elders. A bright morn- 

 ing ere the dew is off the grass ; the sun's rays gilding 

 the eastern slopes of the hills ; and you jog along listening 

 to the measured footfall of your horse, musical in its 

 cadence. Half a dozen miles are accomplished nearly in 

 half an hour, when you hear what appears like the echo 

 of your steed's tramp. One ear is thrown back, the five 

 minute gait is changed to something faster, a sharper 

 hold is taken of the bit. You are hardly aware of the 

 cause for the change, until some one pulls out for you, 

 and away you go, neck and neck ; the grade is little des- 

 cending, and the weight of the one hundred and thirty 

 pound buggy is not felt. Steady, my boy, you have got 

 him skipping, he leaves his feet and is pawing frantically 

 in the air. You slide away a few lengths, and take your 

 horse in hand ready for another brush. This is the excite- 

 ment of the morning drive. In the evening the pair is 

 harnessed ; this time you have a companion, perhaps a 

 friend with whom you talk horse, the salient points of 

 the last race, the relative qualities of the roadsters you 

 are both acquainted with, the benefit of a strong dash of 

 blood for the road as well as for the turf, &c. The halt 

 at the frequented horse hotel, arguments as to which of 

 the quadrupeds under the shed is the fastest ; the friend- 

 ly match for a few hundred to test it on the Fashion 

 or Union, and home again, with something else to think 

 of than the rise or fall of gold, stocks or grain, or smooth- 

 ing out a furrow or two made by what you think may 

 turn out a bad investment. Or, in place of the friend who 

 talks horse, your companion wears Number Three gaiter 



