Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-05-13
II e's Folks.

We'll, said Reuben, the story teller
father always wanted a horse, becaus
fhe folks in Greene lived scattered, ant
he had so far to go to attend funeral!
and weddings aud visit schools, yOl
know; but he never felt az if he coult
afford TO buy one. But one day he wa.
coming afOOt from lIildreth and 4;
stranger asked him to ride.
Father said: That's a handsOm,
horse you're driving. should like Il
own such a horse myself
What will you give for himP' saiC
the man.
DO you want to sell?' says father.
Yes, | do; and I'll sell cheap, too,
says he.
oh, well,' says father its no us,
talking, for haven't the money to buy
with
Make an Offer,' said he.
We'll, just to put an end to the talk,
father says, IN give you IS dollars fol
the horse
You may have him. says the man,
as quick as a flash, but you'll repent
of your bargain in a week
why, what ails the horse? says faith.
er.
'Ails himP He's got the OLD Nick in
him, that's what ails him, says he. If
he has will to go he'll go, but if he
takes notion to stop, all creation can I
start him. I've stood and beat that
horse till the sweat ran off me in
streams; I've fred gun close to his
ears: I've burned sha \ IS under him.
| might have beat him to death, or
roasted him alive before he'd have
budged an inch.
I'm take the horse" says father.
What's his name2'
George said the man.
We'll, father brought him home, and
we boys were pleased, and we fixed a
place for him In the barn, and currled
him down and fed him well; 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 harnessed him
and got into the wagon to go. But
George wouldn't stir a step. Father
got out and patted him, and We brought
him apples and clover tops; and once in
while father would say, Get up,
George, but he didn't strike the horse
a blow. BY and by. he says: "This is
going to take time. Well, GeoTgie,
we'll see which has got the most pa
tience, you or L. So he sat in the
wagon and took out his Skeletons
'SkeletOnsp' said POppet, inquiringly.
OF sermons, you know. Ministers
always carry around a little book to put
things into they think of when they are
out walking or riding or hOeing in the
garden.
Well, father sat two full hours be-
fore 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 it
seemed as if father couldn't do enough
for the horse. He was round the stable
feeding him and fusslng over him. and
talking to him in his pleasant, gentle
way: and the third morning, when he
had fed and curried him and harnessed
HIM with his own hands, somehow there
was different look in the horses eyes.
But, when father was ready to 90,
George put his feet together and laid
his ears back and wouldn't stir. Well,
Dove was playing about the yard, and
she brought her stool and climbed up
by the horses head.
Dove, tell what you said to George
that morning?
Il gave him talking to- said the
little girl. Il told him it was perfectly
'diculous for him to act so; that he'd
come to real good place to live, where
everybody helped everybody; that he
was minister's horse, and God would
not love him If he was not a good horse.
That's what L told him, and then
kissed him on the nose"
And what did George do?'
why, he heard every word l said;
and when l got through, he felt so
shamed of himself he couldn't hold up
his head; so he just dropped it till it al
most touched the ground, and he lock-
ID as sheepish as if he had been stealing
| hundred Sleeps.
Yes said Reuben, 'and when father
OlNt nAlu W SO lIC W llhC d SlOl.
lie has never made any trouble since.
That's the way father cured a balky
lorse. And that night when he was
he rubbed his head against
lis shoulder and told him, as plain as a
lorse could speak, that he was sorry.
les tried to make it up with father J
ver since for the trouble he made him. !
When he's loose in the pasture fathei !
las only to stand at the bars and call !
lis name, and he walks up quiet as an
Id sheep. Why, I've seen him back
imself between the shafts of the old |
wagon many a time to save father trou-
lie. Father wouldn't take two hund- |
ed dollars for the horse to day. He |
ats anything you give him. Sis very
ften brings out some of her dinner to
im.'
'He likes to eat out of plate, said |
love; it makes him think he's folks.