The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-10-16

call and sec what you would charge
to make four horse wagon"
"This i, of a time of night to
talk business" said McLane, while
the wind howled around hislegs and
sent cold shivers up his back. Still
he was not blind to the fact that
Old Short was good customer, so
he told him what a wagon would
cost. Old Short objected to the
price, haggled about details, insist
ed on going into specifications, aud
after keeping the old blacksmith out
about an hour he quietly remarked
as he rode away:
"All right, Uncle Johnny, if | see
anybody who wants wagon of that
sort III know what to tell him about
tine price"
The old blacksmith got the order
all right, though, in few days.
Like all country districts the
neighborhood of Union Springs had
its dog nuisance. The offender was a
savage brute belonging to Bill Mid
dleton, farmer. The dog was large
Of size, brindle in color, was reputed
to have mastiff blood in him, had
bitten a number Of people and was
the terror of the community. His
owner consequently held him in the
lofty esteem in which animals of his
kind are usually regarded by those
who own them. Old Short passed
the place one day, and, seeing the big
dog in the front yard, was seized
with sudden fancy, and alighting
from his horse he opened the gate,
got down on "all four" aud sounded
his challenge to all hostile dogdom
by as good an imitation of growls
barks as he was capable Of Brin-
dls needed no second invitation
when an affair Of honor was on, and
came to the fray with all the vigor
and ferocity Of his nature. The
family heard the noise, and rushed
in terror to the scene, and on arriv-
| ING they saw a very curious sight.
Shot was very courageous and an
unusually powerful man, and grap-
pling the dog he fought him dog
fashisn" for all he was worth. Fast
ening both hands on B1ndle's throat,
he closed them like wise, and soon
had him down, and throwing all his
weight on him he fastened his teeth
in the dogs ear and with unearthly
growIs chewed and bit and shook
with all his might. Brindle was at
first astonished, then frightened,
and finally, breaking away, he tuck
ed his tail, leaped the fence and fed.
Old Short merely gratified his taste
for the whimsical, but Brindle was
never worth his salt afterward.
Old Short used to say that he had
met but one man in his life who got
the best Of him, and he hugely en-
joyed relating the story Of himself
after the novelty Of his experience
had worn off. According to his ac-
count of the affair, a Kentucky
horse trader arrived at his house one
night with drove Of horses, and by
permission remained all night.
There were no white person on the
place except Old Short and his wife.
Soon after supper the good lady re-
tired to her own room, leaving host
and guest in possession OF the parlor
for the evening. 1t was not long
until Old Shorts brain had evolved
scheme whereby vast amount Of
amusement could be had at the
Kentuckian's expense, and he pro-
ceeded to put it into execution. He
began BY asking the stranger If he
was fond Of music, adding that he
had a nigger fiddler who could "pull
a powerful bow" Certainly the
guest would be delighted to hear
him. and Black Steve was sent for.
Several good old tunes were given in
excellent style and then Old Short
asked the horse trader il he could
dance.
"Too old for that now" said Ken
lucky.
"0h, | guess not" said Short;
"you are mighty likely looking man
aud | have a great fancy TO see you
wing a little; Play us something
lively, Steve"
Steve quickened his motion and
the stranger looked surprised, buI
again demurred.
Gong to a sideboard, Old Shor
pulled out a drawer. and taking from
Il a murderous looking pistol, b,
again expressed an intense desire I,
see the kentuckian wing" TIL,
: latter reconciled himself 10 fate an,