Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-06-27
The Stptp Teller.
UNCLE CALEB'S ROAM COLT.
IFrom tbe youths Companion |

From the Youths Companion.]
Mr.. Caleb Crowfoot, old bachelor and
farmer, was standing in his stable door
one September morning, regarding his
poultry and calves with satisfaction, when
a ruddy- featured youth of seventeen open
ed the esagging and creaking gate far enough
to allow his rather sturdy body to squeeze
through, and entered the yard.
"Good-morning, Uncle Caleb ~ he said,
with cheerful air, unterrifed by the big
cock-turkey that puffed and strutted and
drummed and gobbled at him.
ssGood morning good morning, Hart
ley!'' Uncle Caleb replied, scratching his
Jaw, with curious, good-natured grin,
while he said to himself, Wonder what
he has come for, this time o. day? How
are all the folks?" he added, aloud.
t'Fair TO mid ding" Hartly .Hollsworth
answered, d certain native frankness OF
manner fast getting the better of some ev-
ident embarrassmenth he felt in confronting
Mr.. Crowfoot. ssUncle, I've come to you
on what you may think foolish sort Of
business"
''Very likely" laughed the farmer.
"What is it ?"
81 want to borrow some money"
Uncle Caleb's grin became a trif1e
chastity.
"W6at do you want of money!" he
asked.
swell, you see, uncle, there are good
many of us there at home more than the
old farm can provide for, as we grow up.
And I've notion of striking out for my
SELF" Hartley explained.
(which way do you propose to strike !'
Uncle Caleb inquired.
81 want to fit myself for some kind Of
business" !" said the boy, land I've made
up my mind that if could 60 to good
commercial school for few months,
could save great deal of time, and fit my
self for better situation than I might per
haps work up to in as many years, with
Just the common school education have"
Seeing that Uncle Caleb was not quite
thunderstruck by the proposal, Hartley
had courage to continues:
'sMind, don't want to beg cent of you
or ANYBODY; but thought perhaps you
might be willing to trust me with little,
which I am sure will be more help to me
now than thousands might be by and by.
I'll pay you interest, and I'll repay the
principal of the loan as sure as live. You
know Pm no trifer you know that what
say mean, and that is why come to
you, Uncle Caleb"
There was something exceedingly hon
est, earnest and engaging in the boys face
as he spoke. Uncle Caleb smile flickered
and he scratched his jaw once more.
"Why don't you go to your father? lie
is the man to help you, if anybody"
"He might help me, perhaps, II ne chose:
I don't know. He has had a pretty hard
and now he thinks, as we get old enough
to work, we ought to stay at home and
help him."
"Don't you think so yourself, Hartley :"
ST think we ought to do all we can to
help him, and to help each other; but
am convinced can do more for myself
and all concerned by striking out. He is
willing, but he won't give me cent to
start with. Mother believes more in my
plans than he does, and she advised me to
apply to you.
aShe was always a good sister to me,
and she's good mother to you, Hartley"
was the bachelors reflection, and ne be-
gan to give his jaw another scraplng:
"The best of mothers" was the boys
fervent response. .r1
SHOW much money do you want::" Un-
Gle C. C-.leb asked.
~ hardly know; in the neighborhood
of hundred dollars; shall try to make
that do"
Mr.. Crowfoot coughed, and his counte-
nance settled into dubious expression.
II haven't got any money;.I haven't
got hundred dollars. If had, don't
know might let you have it. HIN"
and he unused.
"If I could have q little at time; if 1
could have the promise OF it all in the
course of the fall and winter" Hartley
began to explain. Is.
II can't make any promises for the fu-
ture," said the old bachelor. "Sorry, my
boy, butt
Hartley was turning away disheartened,
with a murmured excuse for having trou-
BILE his uncle, who called after him.
II haven't q dollar of money to spare;
but I'll tell you, Hartley; there's that roam
colt. If he'll be of any service to you,
you can take him."
Alternate hope and humorous. despair
crossed the ruddy, youthful features.
'sIt's fine colt, UNCLE" he said, as he
eyed the long-tailed, rough-coated young
horse frisking at the flies in the shadow OF
the shed.
'sFine! I tell yev exclaimed Uncle Ca
9eb. "Four year old last spring; we'll
broke to pull in harness, single or double;
sound in wind and limb; nary blemish
about him."
Very fne!" responded Hartley. "But
what can do with him? I can't ride
him to and from school, and if I could, his
keep would cost me more than my rail-
road fares. Will you sell him."
''No, no, I won't sell that colt! He's
too vaIoo'ble an animal for the price he
would bring this time o. year; but you
may take him and do the best you can With
him; get as much education out OF him as
fine, four-y ear-old roam colt will bring"
'May pledge him as security in bor-
rowing the money!" Hartley eagerly In
quired. .,,.
"Yes, don't know but you may, with
some good man that will keep him along,
and not work him too hard" said Uncle
Caleb. "You ought to raise a hundred
and twenty-five dollars on him, and let
him work out the interest. calculate
that colt will be worth more year from
now than he is now, if he amt overWork-
ed; so guess I can afford it, if you can
find the right kind of a man."
"What if the colt should die?". Hartley
asked.
"If he dies from any ordinary disease,
I'llstand the loss but if from only accident,
or neglect, or anything the man is respon-
sible for, the loss shall be his'n. That's
fair, amt it?"
Hartley thought it was fair, and said he
would come back for the colt as soon as ne
could find a market for him.
mo, no, take him noww cried Uncle
Caleb, "You must have the colt to show
when you 60 to make the bargain; and
You'll want him to ride to find your man.
You must let me know who tits that wants
him, and just what he agrees to, before
you clinch the trade"
Hartley thought it an exceedingly odd
arrangement, but he accepted it joyfully,
ond fallad IL over with IIncla Caleb as