Democratic messenger., 1892-03-26
AN EXPENSIVE LESSON.

stiIi the Old Driver Felt That lie Had
+. Cured the Horses OF Baiking.
II Is pleasant to succeed in what
we undertake, but success Is some
times purchased at too high a price.
A farmer had two very handsome
horses, of whose excellent qualities
he was very proud; but unfortunate
ly they had acquired the reprehen-
sible habit of baking. which at times
caused their good master much an
noyance. One warm day in August
he was driving To town with load
OF hay. II was not only an unusually
large load. but the hay was of fine
quality. and the farmer felt an honest
pride in driving through the village
with it.
just a. he arrived at the top of the
knoll that looked down upon the
main thoroughfare. long street
lined on either side with stores and
shops, the horses came to a dead
standstill and refused to move an
other inch. Neither kind words nor
the moderate application of the whip
had the slightest effect. and the
farmer was in despair
Suddenly a bright thought occurred
to him. We'll, l guess these horses
will change their minds in about two
minutes. " he said. smiling.
Rolling two large wisps of the dry
hay he placed them carefully under
the stubborn animals; then he made
a smaller wisp to serve as a fuse.
lighted it and placed it in such po
ztion that the flame would soon
reach the other wisps Then he
clambered upon the load again and
took the reins. chuckling over his
plan.
1t succeeded The horses, feeling
the unusual and disag'eeable heat.
stepped forward briskly, but only
just far enough to escape the effect
Of the flame. Then they stopped
again. In vain did their master from
his lofty perch urge them on and
snap his long whip They were mo
tionleSs.
The farmer reflected 1t appears
to me, he said. moment or two
later, there's an awful lot of smoke
for a mighty little blaze But as
the smoke increased he first won
dered, and then slid to the ground to
investigate.
The little blaze he had kindled
under the horses was now exactly
under the big load of hay. the bottom
Of which was already burning in fine
style. Something had to be done
Mounting the load with all haste.
he seized fork and began To throw
the hay in all directions His work.
however, soon came TO a stop. for the
horses. feeling the warmth of the
second confiagration, started OF
again, this time in good earnest: and
the luckless farmer was glad To get
TO the ground as best he could.
Down the street sped the horses
dragging after them. much to their
discomfort, the great four wheeled
bonfire. The villagers. looking up
the street and seeing the flying ami
mails pursued by the enormous ball of
tame, fled for their lives Staid old
farm horses tied to posts along the
street broke their halters and clat
tered down the hard road Women
screamed and dogs barked. and some
excited person. under the impression
that the whole town was afire. rushed
for the engine house and rang the
bell vigorously.
Just what would have been the
outcome it is difficult TO tell. had il
not been for the fortunate fact that
the wagon soon became too much
burned TO hold together. The char
red wreck dropped in the middle of
the road, while the horses. still drag
ging one blackened pair of wheels.
continued their flight several miles
farther.
When. an hour later. they were re
turned. with bloodshot eyes and bad
ly singed tails. to their owner. he
gazed upon them with a mingled
look of sadness and triumph. and ex
claimed; We'll. you pesky critters.
guess I've Famed you To lialk =
Youths Companion