Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-05
Sam. ..but that's n oooo one.

well. he's right nice looking
crittur, anyhow, SAID another, IAN
he's es slick an shiny as a greasy Mig
ger. Git down, Sam, an les have
some fun"
Sam dismounted and tied his horse
to the rack, and the young men went
into the tavern, where the sounds of
much merriment were soon heard.
There had been signs of coming rain
since the early morning. and while the
roisterers were making it lively within
doors, Pluvius commenced to pour
down his showers without, and the
horse, which Sam had forgotten all
about, stood with his head bowed pa
tiently. taking what the god sent until
it ceased, when he shook himself and
looked wistfully with his one eye to-
ward the tavern door.
By and by one of the noisy crowd
looked out.
''Hello," he said, 'sit's been a rainin'
an raInin' hard"
The next instant he called out to
Sam:
Come here. SAM" he shouted;
whats Their matter with yer hose"
Sam came to the door.
THAT amt my hoss," he said. look
inc at the animal tied to the rack.
The black horse had changed his color
and was now a dirty red. But whar
is my boss? Durn it! some feller's
been here an stole my boss an left
that crittur"-and then, I'm sorry to
record it, that good boy, Sam Dover
said some very bad words, and going
in front of the horse, as the represent
tative of the supposed thief, shook his
fist in his face. But he had hardly
done so when he started back.
By this time all the company within
the tavern had assembled at the door.
whats ther matter, Sam?" asked
one.
Whats come er yer black hoss?"
said another.
looking in the horses face, and his
questioners came out and did the
same.
"Well, Tn-be-durned," said one
of them, sole Zeke come back, sure es
I'm a livin'."
"Ole Zeke?" said another.
Yes, thets him."
'Terber sho' it is said Sam, "an'
I'd like ter fin ther teller what brought
i'm here an tuck my black boss"
wat w'uld yer do, Sam?"
I'D give i'm thin durnedes lickin'
yer ever seed a man git"
tWell, | dunno if yer able, but yer
kin jis' pitch in an try eff yer can lick
yersef. It'll be bout a even fight, |
reckin, an l won't bet on nary one nv
yer"
Sam looked at the speaker in a be-
wildered way. what do yer mean,
Pete?" he asked.
''Jes' this here: tibet thar's the boss
yer tied Their yerself; thar rains ies'
washed Their paint off'n him-that's all.
Look here" and Pete rubbed his
hand in the horses name.
Sam was satisfied with the result of
this experiment, and, refusing to an
swer any questions, mounted Zeke
and rode toward home, making
mental calculation as to the final out
cOme-or rather, outgo-Of his specu-
lations in horsetlesh.
He tried to persuade himself that he
had done very well to get steady old
Zeke back, Notwithstanding the in
variable result of his calculations,
which resolved themselves into about
this form:
Old Zeke+$25=William Hinry. Will
liam Hinry-breath of life-O $25 and
two glass eyes carried over. One
mulef$14-Old Zeke, which always
left Sam-one mule+$14 any way he
could fix it, with an actual gain of two
glass eyes that he had no earthly use
for unless he should bestow one of
of them on Zeke, who would probably,
| if consulted, beg to be excused. Rob
ert Boggs IN Nea0 Orleans Times DEM
| Ocrdt.