Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-07-19
How The Deacon Matched DObbln.

ing sharp-sighteds sman; and if there
was one subject on which he esteemed
himself sharper.sishied than on any
other, 1t was that OF horsefe.h.
In that field, he and his son Tom, you
would have believed, to hear them talk,
pretty nearly divided the sum total Of
human knowledge between them. Tom
thought himself, if anything, a little
keener than the "olh man" He start
ed, you see, with The advantage of the
latter's training instead OF being lett,
IN early youth, tc work his own wav.
The deacon and Tom carried On the
farm together. Nominally the deacon
was proprietor, but as Tom was sole
heir apparent, he was alloweds consid-
cradle share in the management, and
felt as free 10 buy or sell, II a good
chance offered, as though everything
had been his own.
One morning the deacon took the
train to town. whittier he was called on
business.
Tom, after making the usual morn
ing round, and seeing that everything
was IN its place, sat down to rest a spell
on bench before the door.
"Good-morning, SIR" grave-look-
ing gentleman accosted him, refining up
at the gate.
"Good-morning. SIR" Tom replied,
rising and advancing to learn the others
wishes.
Can have pail of water for my
horse :" asked the stranger.
"Certainly," answered Tom. Don't
alght," he added, seeing the gem
tleman about to get down-"the pumps
handy, and I'll fetch you bucketful-
no trouble. | assure YOU"
The water was brought, but the horse
didn't seem to be very thirsty at first
at any rate, he made no motion to drink
till the water touched his nose, but then
he drained every drop, and ended by
asking for more.
shall | give him another," said
Tom, patting the animals neck. and
looking him over with the eve Of a con-
noiseur. "He seems a little heated,
and there might be danger OF foun-
der"
81 think il would be safer not to risk
1t, the stranger answered, and thank
ing Tom politely was about TO ride
on.
"What might his age be :" oueried
Tom, continuing his scrutiny OF the
horse.
"Seven next spring"
Tom chinned him.
Sixteen hands 7"
"And an inch, replied TIE other.
What do YOU hold him att" asked
Tom, carelessly, alter peep into the
beasts mouth.
We'll, I've never set price on him."
replied the stranger-'indecd have new
er thought Of parting with him"
Would you mind showing his gait'"
said Tom.
"Not the least"
And the stranger trot.ed up the road
bit, returning at a walk. The horse
carried himself well. He was a snowy
brute, well calculated to eaptivate Toms
fancy.
Maybe you'd swap" he hinted.
=! can hardly say" was the reply,
"til see what I'm offered"
Let me show you the finest nag in
the county," said Tom, starting toward
the stable,
In n brief space he returned, lead
ing Dobbin. Dobbin was a clean
limbed substantial looking country horse.
He could acquit himself with credit,
if not brilliantly, under saddle or in bar
ness. He was steady going, conserv.
ative animal, one to be relied upon to
do his duty conscientiously under all cir
cumstances. He was nothing like n
SNOWY as the other, and was q couple
OF years his senior.
There's picture for you :" said
Tom. slaPping Dobb,n on the rump to
make him show of lively.
Let me see him CO." requested the
stranger, alighiing and throw ing his rein
over the gate-post.
The saddle was transferred TO Dob
bins back, and Tom, mounting, pu,
him through his PAGES, the stranger
looking on.
Then il was Dobbin's turn to be
ehinned. and to have his mouth inspec-
ted. sad TO undergo exsmination gener-
ally, after which Tom and the stranger
sat doSn to reason together.
"What boot'll you give ?" the former
began.
"Bootr' returned the iat,er-.,he
boot should be on t'o,her leg, I think"
Give me twenty dollars, and call il
\ trade" said Tom.