Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-10-04
How Father Cured His Horse.

Ntli htuUei, tut stbEN -ttlitT. latU-
er always wanted horse, because the folks
I in Greene live scattered, and he had so far
10 go TO attend funerals and weddings. and
| visit schools, you know but he never felt
as if he could afford TO buy one. But one
day he was coming afoot from Hildreth, and
a stranger asked lin to ride.
Father said, "That's handsome horse
you're driving. should like to own such a
horse myself"
"What will you give for him ?" said the
man.
"Do YOU want to sell ?" says father.
"Yes, do, and I'll sell cheap, too says
"Oh WE'LL" says father, ''it's no use talk
ing, for | haven't the money to buy with
Make me an offer" said he.
well. just to put an end to the talk :
father says, IN give you seyentyfve dol
\ lars for the horse"
I You may have him." says the man, as
quick as a fash, "but you'll repent Of your
bargain in a week"
"Why, what ais the horse ?" says father.
"Ails him? He's got the old Nick in
him, that's what ails him" SAYS he. "lf he
< has a will to go, he'll 90 but if he takes a
I notion TO stop, all creation can't start him.
/ I've stood and beat that horse till the sweat
ran of me in streams I've fred gun close
to his ears I've burnt shayings under him.
nigh, have beat HIM TO death. or roasted
V him alive. before he'd have budged an inch. =
IN take the horse" says father, What,
/ his name ?"
George" says the man.
Il shall call him George" said father.
Well, father brought him home, and We
boys were pleased, and we fixed place for
him in the barn. and curried him down and
fed him we'll and father said. Talk to him,
boys, and let him know YOU feel friendly.
So we coaxed and petted him, and the
next morning father harnesscd him, and got
into the wagon to go. But Georgie wouldn't
stir step. Father got out aud patted HIM.
and We brought apples and clo,er-tops. and
once in while father would say, Get up.
George" but he dilt strike the horse a
blow. By and BY he SAYS. This is going to
take time. Well. George. well see which
has the most patience, YOU or l." So he sat
in the wagon and took out his skeletons
skeletons ," said Poppet, inquiringly
OF sermons, YOU know Ministers al
ways carry rognd little book to put things
into they think Of when they are out walk
ing, or riding. or hoeing in the garden
Well. father "a. full two hours before the
horse was ready TO start but when he did,
there was no more trouble for that day
The next morning twas the same thing over
again, only Georgie gave in little sooner.
All the while 1t seemed as if father couldn't
do enough for the horse He was round
the stable, feeding him and fu>>ing over him.
and talking 10 him in his pleasant, gentle
way; and the third morning when he had
fed and curried him and harne S>ei him with
his own hands. somehow there was differ
ent look in the horses eyes But when father
was ready to go, George put his feet togeth-
er and laid his ears back and wouldn't stir.
Well, Dove was playing abou, the yard. and
She brought her stool and climbed up by the
horses head.
Do,e, tell what you said 10 George that
morning.
Il gave him an awful talking To-, said the
little girl. ii told him it was perfectly edc
ulous for him 10 act 50 tina, he'd come to
real good place to live, where everybody
helped everybody; tha, he was a minister's
horse, and God would not love him if he
wasn't a good horse. That's what told
him. And then kissed him on the nose"
And what did George do ?"
WHY, he heard every word | said, and
when got through he felt so 'shamed of
himself he couldn't hold up his he e1d so he
just dropped 1t till it most touched the
ground, and he looked as sheepish as if he
had been stealing hundred Sleeps"
"ies," said Reuben, land when father
told him 10 60 he was off like shot. ie
has never made any trouble since That's
the way father cured balky horse. And
that night when he was embarrassing, he
rubbed his head against his shoulder. and
told him. as plain horse could speak,
that he was sorry. He's tried to make it up
with father ever since, for the trouble he
made him. When he's loose in the past
ure, father has only to stand at the bars and
call his name, and he walks up as quiet as
an old sheep. Why, I've seen him back
himself between the shafts Of the wagon
many time, to save father the trouble.
Father wouldn't take two hundred dollars
for the horse to-day. He eats anything you
give him. Sis very often brings out some of
her dinner to him.
'.lle likes to eat out of a plate said
/ Dove sit makes him think he's folks
Erangelist.