The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-06-27

said William.
ssThen I'll trust my neck in Barker's hands.
I'll walk into Blacktown at once"
He went indoors and ut himself into town.
poinp trim. The brothers saw him depart
with some misgivings, but as he once more
declined the offer of their assistance, polite
ness would not let them press it.
At the lodge gate he found William walt
inc for him. ''If may make so bold, SIR,
Won say to M: Barker that sent you to him
William Giles, sir, Mr.. Talberts man
Barker amt 50 bad as some, sir; and when
he knows shall have something to do with
the boss, may be he won't try and best YOU"
.:Thank you, William, for your disinter-
ested kindness, said Frank, gravely.
'Don't mention it, sir, said William, Win
politeness perhaps caught from his masters:
''William Giles, Mr.: Talbert's man-you'4
remember, sir9"
Certainly, William. Is there anything
else ought to say to Mr.. BarkerF'
mo, sir, not as know Of.
''shall tell him you deserve five or ten
Der cent. on the transaction?
Williams face was study. He looked at
Frank in startled way, then glanced guilty
round to see that his masters were out OF ear
shot, Then he looked at Frank again, and,
catching the humorous twinkle in his eye,
chuckled convuldvely.
sOh. Mr.. Carruthers, you know the inside
Of the ropes, you do. II you ride as well as
you reckon up you might a bought Captain
Taylor's mare Don't think Barker will take
you in much, SIR"
''Perhaps not; but I'd better make sure.
Fetch me nice clean straw, William" Will
liam obeyed without comment. His respect
for Mr.. Carruthers had greatly increased.
Frank took the straw, and breaking of a
piece with the empty ear attached, stuck it
between his teeth. us that the right length,
Williamv' he asked.
. ''Bit too long, sir; but you'll have chewed
him down proper by the time you get to
Backer's."
"All right" Frank passed out through the
gate and left William opining that he twas
the FUNNIEST gent as ever came to the house;
one never knew if he was in earnest or chatf-
ing-like."
Frank soon got rid of the straw which he
had mounted for Williams mystifcation,
and reached the repository without any signs
of horsiness about him. He had an inter-
view with the tight legged proprietor, and
for the next hour stood watching horses
white, horses black, horses piebald, horses
brown, bay and chestnut, trotted up and
down the long tan-covered way. He heard
Mr.. Barker eulogise each particular animal.
He listened because ho liked to study char
acter-human, not equine-and was fascin'
ated by desire to know what Barker would
find to say when each fresh screw appeared
on the scene. But his silence as to his own
opinion concerning the merits or dement's of
each animal, and the calm contemplative
way in which, smoking his cigarette the
while, he watched the horses pass and repass
drove Mr.. Barker almost to distraction. That
worthy didn't know whether he had to deal
with fiat or with wiser man than himself.
All business men are aware that this places
one at terrible disadvantage in q negotia-
ton. It is annoying to find you have treated
q clever man like fool; but doubly SO to
find you have treated q fool like clever
man. That is one of the risks of business
Mr.. Barker was themore uncertain because
he tried Frank bo.h ways. On each Of the
first fifteen horses he showed him he placed
high price-then resolving that
his customer was knowing one, he veercd
round and asked very low figure for the
next score of animals paraded. Yet Frank
made 10 sign, and Barker was quite puzzled.
He even grew suspicious and glanced at
Franks legs, thinking it just possible that
their owner was horse dealer from another
town, who had come dressed like q swell, to
try and take in the redoubtable Barker him.
self. But Mr.. Carruthers' lower limbs were
as straight AID weil-formed as if he had never
in his LIFETIME crossed horse. So Barker
was beaten, and breathed his equivalent to q
sigh as the last of his fve-and-thirty screws
was lei back without having drawn word
Of condemnation or commentator from bis
visitor.
'Wel, you're a hard one to please, sir,r
he sad grimly.
II wanted to see some horses" said Frank
Estlessly-aipping the ash from his cigar.
SITE
"Oh!" said Barker, with a deep-drawn
breath. ''You-wanted to-see- some bosses,
cid you?' it was only in moments Of great
excitement that Mr.. Barker forgot himself
enough to call his wares ''hosses." He was
well-to- do man with daughters who played
the piano. He knew that the proper pronun-
chiffon of the word raised him above the level
of grcoms and stable boys. He had acquired
it with great difficulty, SO its retention was
precious.
Dyes. did," said Frank, pleasantly; ''tut
Ecver mind. Sorry to have given you 50
much trouble May give your boy half a
crown!
'Now, said Barker, cooking his head on
one side and speaking in confidential whis-
per, without saying word about tho horses |
/ have shown You, tell me- what's your idea Of !
q horse-his value, I mean"
"rm not particular"
"Oh, you're not particular. Jim, bring
out the chestnut"
mo" said Franz, never mind. I don't |
want to see him. Iwant you to choose q
horse for me-"
No doubt horse dealers are as honest "a |
other dealers, but Mr.. Barker's establishment |
was indescribable. 1t might have been that
Of a convicted forger given q blank check |
and asked tn take care IF IL rx that - .