Omaha daily bee., 1885-08-26
FAMILY AFFAIR
BY HUGH ooNw
Author of called Back" and Ozark Days


| coachman to assist in the search for n steed
The coachman, in his striped linen waistcoat
joined the group and waited his masters
| commands.
"William," said Horace, "Mr. Carruther
is thinking of buying a horse. Do you know
| of anything for sale round about hereg'
"Do 1 know Of q hoSs, sir" said William
reflectively.
"Something quiet" put in Herbert, whc
was solicitous for Franks safety.
ga hoss-something quiet" repeated vii
liam. ITO drive or ride, sirF' he added, turn
ing to Frank.
ITO ride"
"a hoss-quiet-to ride. There's Mr.. Bull
| gers cob, sir. Hist man said he were for sale.
Frank did not like the sound of Mr.. Bul.
| gers cob. Herbert and Horace thought Il
was just the thing.
"Well up to your weight, sir, after Mr..
Bulger," said William. ''Such n shoulder
such quarters, such a barrel he've got, hs
havel"
"Who-Mr. BulgerT'
"No, sir-the cob"
"Ah, yes-the cob. But there are barrels
and barrels. 1 want one with In ordinary
capacity shouldn't care for the great tur
of Heidelberg,.n
Certainly not, sir" said William, touch
ing his forelock.
"Cobs' backs are SO broad" continued
Frank, musingly, sit seems contemplate tc
bestride them. The temptation to chalk onei
feet and ride standing would be Irresistible
Would you find it SO, Horaceg'
"Well-no. 1 don't think I should, an
swered Horace, with that polite gravity which
always amused his cousin.
"Mr. Bulger won't do, William" said
Frank. ''Try elsewhere"
William scratched his nose, and for a min
ute was in earnest thought.
''There's Captain Taylor's mare" he said,
with a timid glance at his masters. ''She as
ran off with the stanhope and smashed it.
But they sag she goes quiet enough with a
saddle ON her back-leastwise if q man knows
how to ride.
eve won't deprive Captain Taylor of his
treasure" said Frank. '"Think again"
"Will you go to Barker's repository, STRIP
asked William, who had come to an end Of
his equine researches.
'Whero is itg'
"In Blacktown," said Herbert. eve will
go with you"
"No, thank you. I will make my own un-
BIASED choice. No one shall be blamed if 1
come to grief-except my doctor. Is Barker
an honest man?"
she is supposed to be So" said Horace.
Hes as honest as hoss-dealers is made"
said William.
''Then Ill trust my neck in Barker's hands.
I'll walk into Blacktown at once"
He went indoors and put himself into town.
going trim. The brothers saw him depart
with some misgivings, but as he once more
declined tho Offer of their assistance, polite
,,aes ,,-,,,1J ,,,A I,+ 4Ln,, ,,.,,, -
AT the lodge gate he found William wait
ing for him. eff L may make SO bold, sir,
you say to Mr.. Barker that L sent you to him
William Giles, sir, Mr.. Talbcrt's man.
Barker amt so bad as some, sir; and when
he knows L shall nave 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, with
politeness perhaps caught from his masters.
civilian Giles, Mr.. Talbert's man-you'n
remember, sirg"
Certainly, William. Is there anything
else I ought to say to Mr.. Barker!"
mo, sir, not as l know Of"
"Shall I tell him you deserve five or ten
per cent. on the transactiong'
Williams face was a study. He looked at
Frank in a startled way, then glanced guiltily
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 convulsively.
sob, Mr.. Carruthers, you know the inside
Of the ropes, you do. If 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 q nice clean straw, William" Will
liam obeyed without comment. His respect
for Mr.. Carruthers had greatly increased.
Frank took the straw, and breaking off q
piece with the empty ear attached, stuck it
between his teeth. SIS that the right length,
William?' he asked.
"Bit too long, sir; but you'll have chewed
him down proper by the time you get to
Barker'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 chaff-
mg-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.