io6 RECREATION. 



as he made a plunge with his head any communication of annoyance 



low down and began to fairly plow from Billy-boy or me. A dreadful 



along. Instantly I drew in the curb- day ! and how susceptible to irrita- 



rein, against which tearing bit he tion I had shown myself; but remem- 



could not proceed, and tried to soothe ber the causes — caterpillars, gnats 



and reassure him as he reared and and " sich." 



tossed his head in the most maddened They say there are no discords in 



way. I released the curb, but still nature. I do not agree. I think 



the poor animal continued pawing there are many jars, and purposely 



and shaking his head in a perfect provided, as in music occasionally, 



frenzy. in order that we may the more enjoy 



I soon found the cause. Of a cloud and appreciate the delightful harmo- 



of gnats buzzing about his head, evi- nies that follow. 



dently one had gotten into his ear; This day had certainly been, in 



but his head was too active for me to nature (human and otherwise), a dis- 



remove it with the handle of my cord. 



crop-stick. I could only hope to out- ' - * * * 

 ride them. A visit to a State brigade encamp- 

 Ahead, there was a clear stretch ment means to a woman many things, 

 of about a mile, and Billy-boy divin- Beginning with a flutter of expecta- 

 ing dinner at the end of it, again went tion, there follows a thrill of inspira- 

 to work. tion, due to uniforms and martial 

 " Yes, Billy-boy, we're going home, music, often ending in a sense of des- 

 no more to roam; our picnic's almost peration at our apparent insignifi- 

 over — oh!" Something dropped— cance beside these lords of creation 

 my foot. Glancing over the right I who are, after all, only playing sol- 

 saw the stirrup-strap that had encir- dier. The Infantry was largely 



cled his body dragging, the stirrup represented at the annual encamp- 

 probably in a fence-corner rods be- ment in the summer of which I write, 

 hind. With this loss I had no means and a few of the officers' wives were 

 of bracing myself for another emerg- pleasantly located at a farm-house 

 ency, and could scarcely prevent my within sound of the bugle-calls at 

 dangling foot from spurring him. Camp W. 



Gradually, without adding to his All the delights of the country 

 alarm, T gathered up and coiled the were attainable at this charming re- 

 long strap, tucking it into the pocket treat, the adjacent lake furnishing 

 of my saddle-flap. not the least of the attractions. A 

 In the best running speed he has sail-boat with home-made rigging 

 ever made, he reached the hotel ve- had a companion in a side-wheeler, 

 randah, panting and dripping, the also of home manufacture, a small 

 saddle-cloth disarranged, broken boat propelled by turning the cranks 

 strap and lost stirrup. I, with hair of the wheels instead of the regula- 

 disheveled and hat awry, had not re- tion use of oars and rudder. There 

 alized the terrible strain on fingers, were islets, a lily-pond, a beaver-dam, 

 wrists and arms until giving up the bathing beach and good fishing facili- 

 reins, the four of which between the ties; but chief among the pleasures 

 fingers of my riding- gloves had for me was Farmer A.'s cream-col - 

 caused the beveled-edged band on ored mare, used by the family for 

 my third finger to cut deep into the Sunday driving, but said to possess 

 flesh. all the qualities of a good saddle- 



And Phil.? He " fetched up," as a horse, 



native said, a full hour afterward, As my riding outfit always forms 



with the rubber tire of his wheel a part of my luggage to the country, 



punctured by a sharp flint. Always I was enabled to make a trial trip, 



good natured, he had to the last and was so charmed with this added 



proven himself invulnerable to means of pleasure, that Belle became 



