The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-06-23

good sense 10 quarter on his own account
for the one or two vehicles we met on the
broad road. Pretty soon began to exper-
iment gingerly with the reins, and by che
time we reach Tergarrick streets was hand
ling them with quite an air while observ-
ing the face of every one ! net to make
sure | was not being laug .i,d at. The
prospect of Tergarrick Fore >ieeet fright
ened me good deal, and there was a sharp
corner to turn at the entrance of the inn
yard. But the old horse knew his bust
ness so well that had pulled on one rein
with all my strength believe it would
have merely annoyed without affecting
him. He took me into the yard without a
mistake, and | gave up the reins to the
ostler. thanking heaven and looking care
less
The inn was crowded with mouruers
eating aud drinking and discussing the
dead mans virtues. The assembly room
at the back, where the subscription dances
were held, was filled with suffocating
crowd, reek of hot joints and the click
ing of knives and forks. caught sight of
the widow moving up and down before
a long table and shedding tears while she
changed her guests plates She heard my
message, and welcoming me with effusion
hurried away to put on her bonnet for the
funeral
More than an hour later hurried back
from the churchyard to the inn and told
the ostler to put my horse in the gig The
funeral was over and had not much time
to spare.
81 beg your pardon. sir. the ostler said
but I'm new to this place Which is your
horse?'
"'Oh, answered. he's a brown Youth
know him easily enough.
THE man returned in about five min
utes There's six brown bosses in TIE
stable sir Would ZEE mind comm an
pickin out yournr
II followed him with a sense of cominA
evil. Sure enough, there were six brown
horses in the big stable and to save my
life | couldn't tell which was mine. OF
any difference between horses. except that
of color, I'd no idea. scanned them all
anxiously and felt the ostlers eye upon
me. | had an impulse to confde my diff
Guilty TO him. but reflected that this
wouldn't help me in the least After a
minute, pulling out my watch careIessly
said:
by George, I'd no idea it was so early
Never mind. won't start for few min
utes yet.
This was the only course-to wait until
the other five owners of brown horses had
driven home went back to the inn and
talked and drank sherry, watching the
crowd thin by degrees and speeding the
lingering mourners with all my prayers
The time dragged on till nothing short OF
a miracle could take me back in time for
the night class. The widow came and
talked to me. | answered her at random
TNtrrsna al -
last time found but three brown horses
left. went back and consumed more
sherry and biscuits Ten more minutes
passed, and there were left only the widow
herself and trio of elderly men AS /
hung about trying to look unbounded
sympathy at the group, it dawned on me
that they were beginning to eye me un
easily took sponge cake and another
glass of wine One of the men-who wore
high stock and an edging of stiff gray
hair around his bald head-advanced to me.
This funeral, said he, lis over.
YES yes | stammered and choked
over sip of sherry
We are waiting-let me tap you on the
back-we are waiting to read the will
Il rushed out of the room and down to
the stables, The ostler was Harvesting
the one brown horse that remained i
was thinkin you wouldn't be long, sir he
said; you're the very last, "a b'lieve, an
here ends hard days work"
II drove off. 1t was nearly by this.
but didn't even think of the night class.
was wondering if the horse drove were
really Farmer Retallack's Somehow
whether because his feed of corn pricked
him or no, | can't say-he was deal more
lively than on the outward journey |
looked at him narrowly and began to feel
sure it was another horse. In spite of the
cool evening a sweat broke out upon me-
Reaching home, | found the farmer
dressed and leaning on stick in the door
way.
Lor bless my soulp he hailed me, I've
been that worried about We couldn't stay
in bed. The parsons been up twice from
the school house to make inquiries. Where
in the name of goodness
That's long story said |. and then,
feigning to speak carelessly. though |
heard my heart 90 thump, How d ye think
the brown horse look after the Journey
"'Oh, he's right enough the old man
replied indifferently It'd take a lot &c
hurt he But
But ! had never felt so glad in my life. =
Arthur 7. Quiller-Couch in Speaker
Choke or in English Prisons.
/ .E lzs a.