The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-07-16

jaw may have had something to do with
that, limbs well proportioned; smooth
in every joint; with coat fine and
glossy.
"There. sir, there you have him.
was offered hundred and half fol
him yesterday and refused it point
blank; but for old association sake :
as a token of pleasant remembrance o.
your good old father-l'll let you have
him for just that figure. Mercy! if you
can find fault with that, there'n be nc
use in my thinking to serve you. /
The deacon forgot to state that the
offer to which he had alluded had been
made by his own hopeful son. How.
ever, that didn't matter, for the horse,
II perfect in every respect, was worth
every dollar named. But was he per.
feet?
There you have him, Just as he
stands. Mr.. Midwell. I can warrant
him sound in wind and limb, because
kaOw; but can't warrant him free
from things that no human being can
see."
"Mr. Adamson, must trust to your
word-to your honor. OF course you
know that would not wish to pay q
hundred and fifty dollars for horse that
had a serious blemish.''
land you don't object to the color?''
mo; rather like it. Sorrel is q
plain color, and stands we'll"
"Then, my dear Noses" said the
deacon, standing by the horses hind
quarter and looking over the sweep of
the haunch, II can give you NY word
that the horse hasn't got an out that !
can see-not one. He's kind, and will
ing, and strong, and sound-winded,
and smooth-limbed, and tough-footed,
and never knew him to see anything
that frightened or startled him. But,
dear boy. don't you feel delicate about
refusing the trade. If you don't want
him at the price it's all right. P'r'aps
can help You to trade somewhere
else"
But Midwell wanted the horse, and
when he left the deacon premises he
had paid over to that good old man a
hundred and fifty dollars, and he took
the horse with him.
On his way home Moses was puzzled
by several peculiar movements of the
sorrel horse; and, arrived at his own
quarters, the animal, in entering the
stable, following his new owner at the
end of a goodly length of halter-strap,
ran his head-bump-against the door
post.
A strange thought came to the young
farmers mind-a fancy that made him
dizzy. and that caused his heart to
bound. He led the horse to the middle
of the barn floor and there flashed a
white handkerchief suddenly before his
eyeS-tlashed it Once-twice-thrice-
but not a muscle of the horses eye
quivered-n0t a nerve was startled.
The sOrrel horse was as blind as q
stone!
And then Moses called to mind how
adroitly the deacon had evaded and
played around that one point. 1t had
been heartless swindle. He went
away by himself and sat down and re-
fected.
"Well, well," he said. to himself, in
the end, "we'll see how this thing will
come out. If we both live long enough.
l may get square with him.
On the following day Moses met Dea-
con Adamson at the village. The old
man bowed and offered his hand, as
though nothing unusual had happened.
He would not have spoken of the horse
had not the other introduced the SUBJ
ject.
"Of course" said Moses, "you knew
that the horses eyes were not right?'
Eyes. Moses-l did. l never seek
to deceive. We did not speak of his
eyes. Ha, ha-you'n have to see for
him."
$50 l have discovered; and, Mr..
Adamson, as do not like blind horse,
l will let You have him back for the
I paid for him.
''Are you in earnest, Moses?"
81 ann
The deacon placed the end of his fore
finger beneath his eye, and pulled down
the lower lid.
"There's nothing green there, dear
boy?"
"No."
"Then 1 guess Wen call a trade-a
trade. You've got q good, strong, kind.
horse, and a color that
pleases you. But, really, Moses, the
[esson'll do you good. Next time you'll
look a little sharper with your own
eyes,"
"The next time," said Moses as he
turned away, 81 shall seek to trade with
an honest man."
"Oh! don't be angry, Moses. Don't
lay it up
From that time Moses Midwell met
the deacon frequently, and always with
= respectful salutation. he did not
profess friendly feeling. nor did he dis
play any feeling of ill-will.
The season passed, and Moses -four
shed on his farm. He had purchased