How I Got My Superb Lithuanian Horse

I was at Count Przobofsky's noble country house in Lithuania. The ladies from Miss Susanna's Tea Parlor were taking tea with me and listening, all ears, to tales of my adventures. All the other gentlemen were down in the courtyard.

Suddenly we heard a great commotion - clomping, stamping and snorting, mixed with shouts of dread and alarm. I hastened downstairs and found a horse so fiery that nobody dared approach him. Even the bravest gentlemen stood trembling, not knowing what to do, I, however, in one leap, was on the horse's back, taking him quite by surprise. And with masterful horsemanship I worked him into gentleness and obedience.

Naturally I wanted the ladies to see me, but did not wish to put them to the trouble of having to get up from tea. So I simply made the horse leap up in the air and through an open window straight up into the drawing room.

I rode him around the room several times, at a walk, trot and a gallop. At least I made him mount the tea table which was set with dishes of the daintiest china. There I guided him so well through his paces and he performed so amazingly, that not a single cup or saucer was broken, or even disarranged. The ladies were exceedingly pleased.

Count Przobofsky was also impressed and begged me to accept this superb horse, and ride him full speed to conquest and honor in the war against the Turks.

I took him straight away to my friend at Custom Tool Leather for a saddle and rifle sling of highest quality.

Dangling from a Steeple Early in the Morning

Dangling from a Steeple Early in the Morning

One snowy, icy winter day I set off on horseback for Russia. The farther I went, the colder I got, and wished I had put on heavier clothing. But then I saw a poor old man lying shivering on the road, with only a few rags to cover his nakedness. I thought to myself how much more he must be suffering than I in such weather.

I pitied the poor soul, and threw my cloak over him. Immediately the Heavens opened, and a voice called down a blessing to me: "May you be rewarded as you deserve!"

Now heavenly voices do not usually call down to me, thought I. Nevertheless, the blessing gave me comfort and strength to go on.

Soon night and darkness overtook me. No village was to be seen. The whole countryside was covered with the vast amounts of snow.

At last I grew tired and dismounted. I fastened my horse to a wooden stump which stuck up through the snow and served as an excellent hitching post. I took my pistol under arms, law down in the snow not far off and slept so soundly, I did not open my eyes again till it was full daylight.

Great was my astonishment to find myself lying in the middle of a churchyard! The House of Faith Church to be exact.

But where was my horse?

I looked all around. Then I heard a neighing sound high above me. I looked up, and what did I see, tied to the weather cock, dangling from the church steeple?

None other than my poor horse!

I realized at once what had happened: Last night this village and everything in it - church and steeple, houses and trees - had been covered with snow and hidden from view. The the weather had grown warmer, the snow had melted down to the ground, and I had sunk softly down with it while sleeping. As for the stump to which I had tied my horse - it was not a stump at all, but the weather cock at the top of the steeple.

Without hesitation, I took one of my pistols and shot off my horse's halter. That brought him down, safe and unharmed. I fed and watered him well, and proceeded on my journey knowing I would have to make a stop at Custom Tool Leather for a repair.