Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-08-27


moistened eyes. ..You seem to know
what you are about.
He administered the oath and then |
said: kiss tie bock.''
She looked at him with wondering |
glance, and then pressed her lips to the
book in an awed. reverential manner.
'.What will it cost?' she asked, in her
matter-of-fact way.
Don't bother your head about the
COSTS" the squire said "Wait a blt,"
he added, seeing that she was about to
go. He hurried1y filed up a blank sum-
mons, folded it, handed it to her and
said: II suppose you know where Con-
stable Finn 1ives?''
''Oh, yes,' replied Rosie.
''Take that to him at once" the
squire said. cit is warrant for the
| head gypsy's arrest The hearing will
be held here at two o'clock this after
noon. AS you are the complainant,
you must be present at that hour"
The time and circumstances of the
hearing were noised about the village,
| and when two o'clock came the squire's
office was crowded. The gypsy sat
upon a rough bench. with unlighted
! clay pipe in his mouth. He was dirty.
unshaved, sullen-look.ng. He did not
| wear vest, and his corduroy breeches
were fastened at his waist by greasy
| leathern belt, behind which the haft of
a knife was visible.
| 1.-THE plaintiff here, this little girl,
| claims that you have a pony which
belongs to her." Squire Barlow said,
| his eyes on the gypsy, who replied:
"She hasn't any claim on it. 1t is
| mine.''
''Where did you get the pony?'' asked
the squire.
Il bought her in Michigan" said the
man.
'When?''
''Three years ago"
It was such bold lie that Rosie's
face famed with indig nation.
''She gives a very minute description
of the pony" reminded the squire.
''There are plenty of dark bay ponies
ten hands high and slashed with white"
was the mans logged reply. Anybody
could look at her across fence and
then describe her, he added, with
grin. ''The girl must bring better
proof before I'll surrender the pony"
Rosie looked out of the rear window
of the squire's office, and saw small
pasture lot close by. Her face fairly
beamed with an idea that had occurred
to her.
esquire Barlow she asked, her
strong voice filling the room, ito whose
satisfaction must prove that the pony
is mine?-to that mans satisfaction or
to yours?'
ITO the satisfaction of the court, )"
decided the squire, with a broad smile.
"All right Rosie exclaimed, with a
quick, pleased gesture. make out an
other warrant"
For whom?' asked the squire.
''For Dollie,' replied Rosie.
"Oh, you want the pony arrested,
eh?" asked the squire, whereupon ev-
erybody laughed.
II want her brought here and turned
into this pasture lot,'' Rosie excitedly
said, pointing out the window. 'Ill
prove that she is my pony against all
corners and goers.''
The squire caught glimpse of her
purpose.
Constable Finn. bring the pony
here,'' he ordered.
Rosie beckoned the constable to her
and whispered to him: ''Mr. Finn. stop
at the house and get my riding whip.
We are going to have circus
In half an hour Constable Finn ap-
peared with the pony, and the court
adjourned to the pasture lot.
Poor Dollie, how she has been
abused!'' Rosie said, with vibrating
voice, her tears very near ''Mr. Finn,
hand me my whip, and then turn the
pony loose
The pony scampered across the lot
and then returned Rosie stood still,
the whip in her hand, all eyes resting
, upon her. Here, Dollier' she cried
Come here, Dollie!''
The pony flung up her head. looked
at Rosie, whinnied her delight, and
then walked up to her and poked her
in the ribs with her nose.
+ ''Do you love me, Dolly?'' she asked.
"How much do you love me?" Rosie
7 asked.
The pony made no response.
GLOW much do you love me?' Rosie
!. sharply repeated, with peculiar move
ment of her whip.
The pony kissed her by tou ching he1
cheek with her nose.
Rosie was so overcome that she flung
her arms around the pony's neck and
!, laughed and cried Historically. More
than one sturdy man drew his sleeve
), across his eyes. The gypsy stared al
the experiments, his swarthy face grow
ing still darker.
'Kneel, DOllie," ordered Rosie. az
she swayed her whip.
> Down went the pony on her knees.
''Sit up.' cried Rosie.
In a moment more the pony was OF
her launches.
''Shal<e hands, my lady
The pony thrust out one foot.
''Now pray"
In response to that the intelllgen
animal folded her front legs. rested
her head upon them and looked com
ically demure.
''Get up was the next order.