The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-24
HORSE FLESH PRESTIGE.
lopie P. Read, in New York Mercury

lOpie F. Read, in New York Mercury.l
 l once lived in a community where every mans honesty, ability and pros- poets of salvation depended upon the horse he owned. The owner of a good horse was admitted into the best circles of society. Special room was made for him when he entered church, and his children, in attending the school where the classic master had written up on a board, Greak and Latun is no longer teached here," were always given extra time at recess to stuff themselves with corn dodger and ham fat. Having been reared in a heathenish neighborhood had not been taught that the ownership of equine property as the great end to which man should aspire. Consequently, none of my abilities, such as hooting like an owl or believing in superb imitation of steer, found that recognition tending to make a man satisfied with himself. The men of this community were very religious, and were such excellent shots that when they pulled down" on each other somebody gaped. One of my acquaintances, Abe Nickle6ord, shot a hole through the head belonging to Nat Parker. Everybody knew that the sounds of revelry had just begun, for old man Parker and his other three sons found great delight in the ignition of sunpowder. ! was little uncomfortable, for did not know but that during the wax of exter- imitation l might be killed, because had been known to associate with Nickle- ford, and especially as owned nothing in the shape of horse. While every one was waiting for the hilarity to begin, the settlement" was startled by the re- port that Nickleford had married Parker's youngest daughter, and that the old man had taken him home amid the glad &C., clamations of great joy. While a party of men were standing in the road dis cussing the curious twist affairs had taken, old man Parker appeared, wear ing a new hat and otherwise dressed in the extra insey of a great occasion.
 Look here, old man," said a justice of the peace, i've want you to explain yourself. We air all willin' an ready to pat up with an ordinary disappointment, but when man raises the expectations O this here settlement an' then filings 'em on the ground without givin' due notice, wy we nachully arise an demand a apology or a fight"
 Gentleman" replied old Parker, re- moving his hat "I know that you all feel hurt at me an my boys an O course s:::'s blame ycc :a5e- s.e sasczas- stances, but when tell you the reason, Tow that you'll ax the ole man to come out to the crossroads an take a drink. It was our intention to kill Nickleford, an we gathered up our fuzees an started out fur that purpose. We seed him in the road ahead O us an we put out airter him like old Satan CT treadin' out grain. He seed us a comin' an you osghter seed him diggin' dirt. He got out O till the next day."
 "Wall," said the justice of the peace, "why didn't you kill him ?"
 Easy now, easy," replied old man Parker. Easy, say. He had traded aroun' an' got possession O that iron gray hoss that uster belong ter Cal Dye. The hoss looked at us when we come up an sorter snorted. tell you it undone all O us, an ridin' alongside O Nickle- ford VIC shuck hands with him an' cried right2"
 That's what you done," replied the justice of the peace, much affected. Thar want nuthin' else to do under the circumstances" wiping the tears from bis eyes. "Come on, ole man, an we'll take drink"
 Shortly after this touching incident had occurred, the county judge came to me and said:
 "I noticed that you was at my house last night jinin' in the festivities of the occasion"
 "Yes, and l enjoyed myself very much.n
 So seed, but has the fact that you want invited found its way into that cavity whar you think your mind holds sway?"
 !" thought everyone was invited"
 That's what the notices lacked on the trees said, but, ding it, you want in. cluded. You aint got no hoss. Do vou reckon that can Tow my gals to 'sociate with you? Hah Think, sah, that want everybody in this neighborhood talkin' about my familyr Want to ruin the reputation that have been years in buildin' up9 have been talkin' with a lot O. the boys this mornin', an we've decided that you've got to git hoss or leave this here settlement. Society knint afford to let such fellers as you air tramp on 1t, an femme tell you The next time you try to set your number eleven brogan on the fair name O my folks, tharu be some hemp -stretchi, in this district"
 Not being able to purchase a horse, I Left the neighborhood. Shortly after- wards, a report to the effect that had stolen wagon and team having found circulation, l received tho following note from the judge whose heme had almost destroyed "I hear with much plezur that you have mended your lcks. Come out an sec us. My oldest gal has tux mighty tancy to you" AS the report is false in some of its trifing details I fear that my reception would lack cordiality.
 The Rink.
 sA