THE SOMETHING WHICH HAPPENED.
To solace her daughter for her chagrin in being outclassed by Jessica,
Mrs. Rhinelander gave her a new horse; as handsome a creature as could
be found and “warranted kind and true.”
All the other girls envied Helen her “Beauty,” except the “Little
Captain,” now rapidly developing into an excellent scholar, and with
her love of learning increasing all the time. She was ambitious to be
that “star”--at the top not bottom of the school--and all the energy of
her ardent nature was put into this work. The result of this was that,
despite all prescribed rules for exercise and recreation, Jessica grew
thin and somewhat careworn.
Ephraim was swift to observe this and to devise some plan for remedying
it. He could think of nothing better than to send home to the “boys”
for the “finest four-footed creatur’ in all Paraiso d’Oro.” So he
wrote, as follows:--“The head girl to our ‘Lady’s’ school has been give
as purty a brute as ever I laid eyes on, and ‘Little Captain’s’ has got
to beat it. Now, Samson and John Benton, you put your heads together
and finish up the job and express the creatur’ ’long, double quick.
Our girl isn’t going to be down-sot, in the matter of horse-flesh,
by any trumpery New Yorker, and you see to it. There’s horses here,
course, and good ones; but no beast that hasn’t breathed the superfine
air of Californy is fit for our ‘Lady.’ Mum’s the word till I get your
telegrapht that ‘Sobrante’ has arrived, and then I’ll put in my full
share of the bill. I’m getting a new ‘livery’ made, same as Madam
Dalrymple had me wear and ’t made me feel such a fool, first time. But
if I’m to be ‘groom’ to anybody, at my time of life, and it’ll make
things a mite nicer for my girl, I’ll wear it, smiling.
“I’ve hung around that riding-school where they’re tryin’ to teach
Jessie what she’s known always, and I’ve made friends with the work
folks. More’n that, ‘Little Lady’ has pointed me out to the master as
her teacher at Sobrante, and he spoke to me as slick as molasses. Said
I’d a pupil to be proud of and I ’lowed I had. Then, ’cause she was so
pleased to have me ’round, he up and asked me to ride with his classes
in the Park, whenever I had a mind. And don’t you doubt but that’ll be
every time they go out, soon’s I learn what days it will be. And I cast
an observin’ eye on the outfit of his ‘assistants’ and I’m getting my
own to match. I cal’late the next thing he’ll be doing will be to ask
me to help ‘assist,’ and that’ll be something worth while. ’Twon’t be
on account of wages, neither, but just for the honor of Californy, to
show him how an eighty-year-old can sit a horse, rheumatiz or nothing.
“So, don’t let no grass grow under that horse’s hoofs till he’s shipped
direct; and take it to your hearts that you’ll be doing the square
thing by the girl we all love if you ’tend to this here business with
neatness and despatch.
“Yours, till death and his exile ends,
“EPHRAIM MARSH.”
It was but a little more than two weeks later that, on a certain
Thursday, “between four and six,” Jessica had a visitor.
The liveried colored man who admitted the stranger had doubts as to
whether he should have done so, since the caller also wore a livery,
though one not adorned by brass buttons.
However, Ephraim marched boldly in and selecting a chair which
commanded the entrance sat down to wait with what patience he could
till Miss Trent should appear. Other visitors were there, in the
great room, and other pupils; all casting rather amused glances
toward “Forty-niner” and wondering how such a social blunder had been
permitted as his admission into those exclusive precincts. Possibly,
the old man might have been abashed, had he observed these glances,
but he did not. He saw nothing, heard nothing, till a beloved footstep
sounded swiftly through the hall, and at a pace less decorous than
Madame liked, Jessica came bounding into the room.
“O, you darling Ephraim! you did come at last, didn’t you! How dear of
you! And you see it isn’t bad. Now you’ll come every Thursday won’t
you? But--but, Ephy! How funny you look! Why have you got such a queer,
brown suit? Riding boots, leggings,--you’re exactly like one of the
grooms at the academy. What notion possessed you? But never mind. I’m
so glad, so glad to have you; and I would be even in your old overalls
from the gardening last summer.”
Jessica sat down close to her faithful friend but she couldn’t repress
her amusement, the frontiersman was so uncomfortable in his new attire,
yet so full of suppressed excitement. With another smile she demanded:
“Do explain, Ephy. If you wanted new clothes why didn’t you get Mr.
Hale, or somebody who knows what’s correct, to advise you? Even I----”
“Hold on, ‘Captain.’ Come over to that window, yonder!”
With his hat in his hand, he led the way across the room and pointing
outward, demanded:
“Do you see that there bay horse, that boy is leading up and down? ‘All
saddled and bridled and fit for a Prince’?”
“Of course I see him. What a perfectly beautiful animal! See him, now!
What knee action! What a neck! What shapely legs! Whoever owns that
creature knows the ‘points’ of a fine horse. Is it somebody’s you know?”
“I ’low it is. I ’low she does--know points. She’d ought to, being as
she was raised on ’em, so to speak; and if you hadn’t re_cog_nized
them I’d have been plumb disappointed. For the creatur’s _yours_!
Arrived last night, overland, straight from the ‘boys’ at Sobrante,
named ‘Sobrante’ himself, and waiting this minute for his new owner
and mistress to try his paces with me as ‘attendant.’ That’s why this
pesky livery. That’s why I’ve come. That’s why you go ask your Madame,
to once, if you can’t go for a canter in the Park if I’ll wager my own
neck I’ll fetch you home safe, any time she names!”
Jessica’s cry of delight was almost a scream. So “unladylike,” in fact,
that a caller near by elevated her eyebrows and remarked:
“What astonishing things! That groom, that ill-bred girl, I am
surprised at Madame.”
“Oh! that’s nothing. She’s our wild westerner, you know. One may expect
any sort of behavior from her,” replied the young lady addressed,
a “Con” of the most decided sort, and an admiring follower of the
handsome Helen.
However, Jessica had become inured to this kind of remark, which she
happened to overhear, and though it didn’t add to her pleasure it did
not greatly detract from it. Indeed, her heart was beating so high at
thought of her dear “boys’” remembrance of her that she could scarcely
keep her feet from dancing; but she tried to remember Madame Mearsom’s
expressed desires, and with a low: “Come this way!” to Ephraim, she led
him out of the reception room to a smaller one at the end of the hall,
where tradesmen sometimes waited an interview with the mistress of the
house.
“This is quieter, Ephy, and we’re quite by ourselves. Wait just a
minute. Madame is going out this afternoon but I’ll run and ask that
permission. If she’ll only give it! How happy, how happy we will be!”
Already there was a glow upon the cheeks that had been paler than of
old and “Forty-niner” felt he had acted wisely and well. Also, because
of Jessica’s good record in her work and the eagerness in her face,
Madame was graciously pleased to give the coveted permission and to add
her congratulations on the fine gift.
“Two hours, only, from the time of leaving till you are back at the
door, remember, my dear. And I hope, I certainly hope, you will have a
most delightful ride.”
From the windows of the reception room some watched the “Westerner”
ride away and wondered at the ease with which she mounted and assumed
control of an untried mount, one that was as restless and inexperienced
in city surroundings as this beautiful creature from the plains.
“O Ephy! I feel almost, almost as if we were at home again, starting
for a long, long ride--to Dr. Kimball’s, or some other far-away
neighbors. If I didn’t have to wear this tight skirt I’d feel exactly
like. Oh! how well he suits me! His back is perfect. They couldn’t have
chosen better--You dear Sobrante! I’d like to hug you, and I will!”
Suiting the action to the word Jessica leaned forward and clasped the
horse’s beautiful, arched neck, sending a thrill of pleasure through
his equine heart. But another sort of thrill instantly followed. An
automobile whizzed honking by and Sobrante promptly stood upon his hind
feet.
Spectators along the avenue halted in fear. The girlish rider would
certainly be thrown! Only she nor Ephraim showed no alarm. He merely
checked the hired animal he bestrode and which he had taken care
should be the best in its owner’s stable, and watched. He was ready
to clasp Sobrante’s bridle, should that be necessary, and to use his
man’s strength to bring the animal to subjection. However, this was not
required.
Jessica’s own fearlessness inspired her sensitive mount with
confidence. Her whispered soothing words penetrated his consciousness
and his affectionate nature responded to her love.
“Nothing but an ‘auty,’ Sobrante dear! Foolish things, they are not to
be compared with such as you, my beauty; but plenty as can be. You’ll
get used to them, directly. They can’t hurt you. Nothing shall hurt
you, precious! Just hold your head high and proud, and disdain to look
at them, you splendid fellow. Once we are in the Park, we’ll get to the
quietest place and--Go! That is, we’ll pretend to go--but it won’t be
as we could at home. Steady, there, pet. Here comes another ‘goose’ on
four wheels!”
Sobrante curveted and pranced, bowed his beautiful head, tossed it up
and down, showed every symptom of that “disdain” she requested but--did
_not_ rise upon his hind legs. After that, with each succeeding moment,
nearly, one of the offending, snorting monsters passed them by or met
them face to face; and by the time they had entered the Park gates he
had become familiar with at least one phase of the city streets.
Both Ephraim and Jessica were delighted with him.
“He’s just as intelligent--as he looks! Some horses aren’t, you know.
And as handsome as he is wise. Oh! He’s just perfect. He’s far and away
finer than that new ‘Beauty’ of Helen Rhinelander’s. ‘Beauty’ is true
to his name, course, but I don’t like his eye. He shows the white of
it too much; and though he pretends he doesn’t mind autos, isn’t a bit
afraid of them, he is. Down in his heart he is. I’ve watched him while
we were out here in the Park. I think the master doesn’t wholly trust
that horse, either; else he wouldn’t ride so close to Helen and leave
one of his assistants to attend the beginners who need most care.
“Just to think, Ephy dear! I shan’t have to ride a hired horse again!
And I can hardly wait for to-morrow and our regular lesson. All the
‘Pros’ will be delighted with Sobrante; and I’d be glad to share him
with them, if I were allowed.”
“Don’t do that, ‘Captain,’ not yet. You’ve got to let him learn you,
first, so he would mind your voice even with somebody else in his
saddle. And I’ll be on hand. My shucks! But it will seem like old times
for us to be riding together just as we used! Get up there, you slow
poke! I’ve a mind to send home again for a creatur’ of my own! Then I’d
be fixed!”
Jessica said nothing to this; but all at once she appeared anxious for
their return. So they wheeled about and arrived at the ‘Adelphi’ in
such good time that Madame was greatly pleased and promised another
outing for these two alone.
But Jessica’s haste was not so much due to her obedience as to a
notion that had entered her head when Ephraim spoke. If one horse
could be shipped safely from Sobrante, why not two? So she spent the
remainder of that recreation afternoon in writing to her mother and
asking for “Forty-niner” a similar gift to her own. Also, in due time
the letter was answered by the arrival of another steed. Not quite so
fine as Sobrante but far finer than any the sharpshooter could hire
at the ordinary livery-stable; and when received his own delight was
as great as Jessica’s had been. He had been sorely perplexed between
his longing for the animal and his sense of right. He hated debt, as
had all his old employer’s household. He must save to pay expenses
during his life in New York, while his little lady was achieving that
education she desired, and for his trip home again when that education
was accomplished. He would not receive a gift of money from Mrs. Trent,
and Jessica’s “allowance” was most modest--also, generally used up to
the last cent from quarter to quarter. But a gift of a horse--that was
quite another matter; and it added to the old man’s health as well as
his pleasure.
But long before that letter was far on its way the hour had arrived
for the riding class to take their trip to the Park. It was the custom
on such occasions for the horses to be brought to the Adelphi and the
young ladies to start from there, with the attendant master and his
assistant teachers. This time when they assembled, Helen Rhinelander
first saw Sobrante, and Ephraim was gratified by the envious look she
cast on the animal and on its graceful rider.
Reining her own “Beauty” up to Jessica’s side, she inquired:
“Is that your own horse, Miss Trent?”
“Yes, indeed! Isn’t he a dear? The ‘boys’ sent him,” returned
Sobrante’s mistress, pleased to be noticed even thus much by the
haughty senior.
“Hmm. He is--quite handsome. But, if he’s been reared in the--the
wilds, you’ll have trouble with him. You should be careful.”
“Yes, of course. But there’ll be no trouble. I’ve had him out once
already and though he didn’t like the automobiles, at first, he got so
he despised them after a little while. He thinks elevated trains are
dreadful but--he’s as obedient as a horse can be. He knows me already.”
“How absurd! That would be according him human intelligence, which no
four-footed beast possesses. Don’t be too confident.”
Now there was nothing that would sooner arouse Jessica’s quick temper
than disparagement of horses; and she flashed back:
“Indeed, some horses do possess it--or its equivalent. Why, I could
tell you things about Sobrante animals that would amaze you, if you
didn’t know they were true.”
“And because you told them I suppose I _should_ know that!” retorted
Helen sarcastically. “I’ve often heard of ‘California stories’ and I’m
not anxious for them. Only, take care. I’ve ridden for several years
and I know horses are not to be trusted till after you’ve used them a
long time. Even Beauty, here, is restless and I have to watch him all
the time. He is intelligent, if you please, extraordinarily so, but he
hasn’t yet learned to ‘despise’ an auto, after all these weeks.”
“Yes, he is intelligent--to a degree. Not like Sobrante, though; and
if you’ve ridden for years I’ve ridden all my life. It is you who need
warning. That Beauty is in a vicious mood, to-day. There is evil in his
eye. Yes, I am ready!”
With this response to the master’s question: “Ready, young ladies?”
Jessica fell into line, Ephraim beside her, the proudest man in the
whole cavalcade, even though mounted on a beast the “boys” would have
laughed at. But, as he had once ridden “Stiffleg” from love of that
beast he now bestrode this hired hack from affection for his “Little
Captain,” who was growing so fast she was outstripping that adjective
“Little.”
The master himself took his place beside Helen Rhinelander, and to
that young horsewoman this was both pleasing and displeasing. It was
flattering to be singled out as the only one of the class worthy such
attention; yet, on the other hand, it suggested to onlookers that it
was a case of precaution.
Beauty was certainly in an ugly mood. He fretted at the touch of her
hand on the bridle, he acted as if he would like to take the bit in
his teeth, and bolt; and to three of the party, at least, the arrival
at the quieter Park was vast relief. These three were the master, the
sharpshooter, and Jessica Trent. To these three a fine horse meant
something higher than a servant or a beast of burden; he was a creature
of keen perceptions and strong emotions.
That morning, Beauty had been roughly groomed. This was unusual and
painfully trying to his sensitive skin and temper. Then his saddle had
been found defective in some slight way and another which did not fit
had been substituted. Other stable happenings had been unfortunate,
and Beauty took the road far from fit to be trusted with so valuable a
burden as Helen Rhinelander.
However, for a time, after entering the Park, he seemed to forget his
worries, as his young mistress presently forgot hers. To those who
love it, there is nothing more exhilarating than a swift canter on a
fresh spring morning, such as this; and the spirits of the whole party
rose to the highest.
Suddenly from a side road, at a wild rate of speed, rushed a runaway
automobile, tenantless, chauffeurless, tearing its own unguided way
into the very midst of the horseback cavalcade.
“Ware! Ware!” warned the master, shrieked the grooms; while Ephraim
would have planted himself directly in the path of the oncoming monster
had not Jessica reached forward, seized his horse’s bridle and jerked
him aside.
“Ephy! you can’t stop it! Look out, look out! O Helen!”
Beauty, like Ephraim, had planted himself in the way. For an instant he
stood stock still, while the glaring red machine rushed toward his very
front. The next he had reared and plunged and Helen was almost unseated.
What happened after that there were some who could not see, for they
had closed their eyes against an inevitable tragedy.
But Jessica saw, comprehended, acted. With one toss of her own bridle
into Ephraim’s outstretched hand she was on the ground, had caught
that of the frenzied Beauty and swerved him out of the road, Helen
still clinging frightened but unharmed to her saddle. The next instant
the automobile had dashed onward out of sight, but a girl in a blue
habit lay huddled on the ground, a torn and bruised object from which
they turned away their eyes, not daring to look upon her fair, brave
face--so ghastly white and quiet now.