The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-05-12


good sense to 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 the
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 | wss not being laughed at. The
prospect of Tergarrick Fore >ieeet fright
ened me a good deal, and there was a sharp
corner to turn at the entrance of the inn
yard. But the old horse knew his BUSH
ness so we'll 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
mistake, and gave up the reins to the
ostler. thanking heaven and looking care
less.
The inn was crowded with mouruers
eating and drinking and discussing the
dead mans virtues. The assembly room
at the back, where the subscription dances
were held. was filled with a suffocating
crowd, a reek of hot joints and the click
ing of knives and forks | caught sight of
the widow moving up and down before
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 hack
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
al beg your pardon. sir. the ostler said
but Pm new to this place. Which is your
horse?'
"'Oh, answered he's brown. Youth
know him easily enough.
THE man returned in about five min
utes. There's six brown bosses in the
stable. sir Would ZEE mind comm an
pickin out yournP
II followed him with a sense of coming
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 ali
anxiously and felt the ostler's eye upon
me. had an impulse to confide my diff
Guilty TO him. but reflected that this
wouldn't help me in the least. After Il
minute, pulling out my watch carelessly
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
( I 49,. lc...
Twice | revisited the stable. and the
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 a 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 a sponge cake and another
glass of wine One of the men-who wore
a high stock and an edging of stiff gray
hair around his bald head-advanced to me
"'This funeral said be, is over
Eyes yes ! stammered, and choked
over sip of sherry
1--WE are waiting-let me tap you on the
back-we are waiting to read the will
II rushed out of the room and down tC
the stables. The ostler was Harvesting
the one brown horse that remained. i
was thinkin you wouldn't be long, sir. ht
said; you're the very last, "a b'lieve. ar
here ends hard days work"
IL 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 prickeC
him or no, | can't say-he was deal more
lively than on the outward journey.
looked at him narrowly and began to fee
sure it was another horse. In spite of tn,
cool evening a sweat broke out upon me-
Reaching home, found the farme
dressed and leaning on stick in the door
way.
"'Lor bless my soulp he hailed me, Nv,
been that worried about ye couldn't sta!
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 go thump. How dye thinl
the brown horse look after the Journey
"'Oh, he's right enough, the old mai
replied indifferently It'd take lot Z
hurt he. But
But had never felt so glad in my life.
Arthur 7. Quiller-Couch in Speaker
Choke or in English Prisons.