San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-01-31

Shortly after he left stone cutting and took
to whisky for living, he was brought into a.
heap of trouble by three young ladies and
one old horse.
At that time preparations were going on
for fair for the benefit Of one OF the
Catholic churches, in the outskirts of Brook
Ign. Tom is a Catholic, "a sort of a wan"
as he says himself, and the proceeds of this
fair were to be devoted to the purchase of a
grand organ or a big bell, Tom doesn't re-
member which.
Somewhere near the top of a very fine
morning in June three black eyed Celtic
beauties entered his store. They smiled at
him and asked him how he was. He in
formed them politely that he was very well
indeed, and thanked them for their kind in
quiries. Tom wasn't rich then, but he was
hospitable, so he brought the ladies into his
reception room, gave them some sweet wine
and crackers, and apologized for the absence
of ice cream. The tallest of the damsels
drew from some one of the mysterious folds
of her fnery weighty document, which she
presented to Thomas with a most bewitch-
ing smile and a request for his signature c.
o. ID. Tom scanned the document, and, to
his horror, discovered that it was a most
formidable paper containing the names of
subscribers for $40, SOS, $50 and 500, all
marked paid. For a moment he was almost
knocked out by the blaze of the six black
eyes and the attraction of the all conquering
smiles. But he regained consciousness.
Ladies'" said he, ~ won't give you any
money; but I'll do better; I'll give you fine
horse You can rattle him, and he'll bring
you In a great deal more than could afford
to give you in cash." So he procured the
necessary writing materials and wrote in the
subscription list: Thomas Clark, one bay
mare"
The girls went Off rejoicing. Tom grinned.
He had no bay mare, and he thought he had
hit upon a splendid plan to get out of his diff
ficulty.
Time wagged along, and Tom had almost
forgotten all about the ladies and his dona-
ton when one fine day a reverend gentleman
entered the store, his face beaming with good
fortune and the happiness that is born Of a
big collection.
''Mr. Clark, +" said he, 81 won that horse"
"Holy Mosesr exclaimed Tom inwardly,
as the truth dawned upon him.
"rd like to have him this afternoon, )" added
his reverence.
"Well, Father" said Tom, "he's at grass
now, but I'll send him to you in few days"
A dark cloud of suspicion gathered upon
the reverend gentleman's brow, and he left
the store, but not without sternly giving Tom
orders to make no unnecessary delay Tom
scratched his head and a brilliant idea was
the result He proceeded to the pooShouse
grounds, where at that time there was a sort
of asylum for aged and infirm horses.
"Mick, said he to the official in charge Of the
animals, whats the price of that ould horse
over there-the fellow with the long hair
and how much do you think it would take to
get him shayedF
THAT fellow is 81, replied Mick, "but you
might as well go S. and get a good one."
"Well, what's the price of that one over
there by the apple tree?"
"Oh, that one is ST."
"DearT said Tom, seriously.
Cheap" rejoined the official, earnestly.
Give him to me for So and I'll treat" said
Tom.
The bargain was made and duly cele-
brated- Then Tom hired man to take the
horse to the residence of his winner at the
fair and went home once more a happy man.
When the man arrived with the prize AT
the residence of the priest. the latter gave
him e. to take the animal back to Mr.. CLARK
and to tie him to the lamp post in front OF
the store. The long and weary pilgrimage
was made and the Knot tied at the post agreed
upon.
What the divil are you doingT shouted
Tom Didn't tell you to take that bloody
ould horse to the priestF
Faith you did, SIR" replied the man, land
be gave me 81 to take him here"
Tom scratched bis head again. "Ill give
you 81 more if you take him to Mr.. HanWay
and tell him that he won him at the fair He
lives att
''No matter where he lives, sir. | wouldn't
take twinty dollars and tow that old horse
another block. My heart is broke with him
already"
Tom scratched his head once more He was
in bad fix now, but at last he hit upon new
plan. he borrowed'a fine horse from q neigh
Dor, q friend of his, and had him driven OF to
Coney Island, where he was stabbed Then be
struggled his own thoroughbred into his
friends stable, and eft him there to enjoy the
Injuries Of high living. The owner came
back the next day, enjoyed the joke, and got
his own horse back What became of the
poorhouse horse Tom doesn't know He
never saw him afterward, and be supposes
that he finally went to decorate the shores of
Coney Island or Staten Island, according to
the turn of the tide and the whimS Of the
ind.-New York Sun.
THE CYCLONE.
So lone I stood the very trees seemed drawn