San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-06-10
OLD BEN'S BARGAIN.
How Two Unfortunate Cattle Driv-
ers Settled Their Differences.

The sun had Just set, leaving Il OTlgHb
luminous yellow behind it; opposite, IN
the pale, frosty blue, hung the clear
silver moon, nearly at the full. The
light of the dying sunset and rising
moon blended. and the whole landscape
was stepped in faint mellow light.
There was not a shadow anywherei
the pure soft glow was over every
thing alike-purple of wet pillow lands,
brownish yellow of stubble fields, pale
green of young wheat, faint purple
and gray of distant downs. The thick
branches of the hawthorn in the hedge
were outlined clear and sharp against
the yellow glow in the west The
wind had gone down, and not twig
was stirring. A little bird was rustling
in the hedge: and in the distance a
thrush was singing clear and soft.
Two or three rocks tlOated slowly over
head.
The long, dusty, white road seemed
deserted for the time being, but after
awhile there was shutting sound in
the distance, and man appeared driv-
ing two cows. He was a short, thin,
wiry man, with wooden leg. Every
thing about him expressed determine
ton, from his steel-gray eyes which
looked out steadily from under his
heavy, grizzled eyebrows to his square
chin that stuck out aggressively with
an air of contradicting his thick,
strong bridged, rather overhanging
nose. Even his wooden leg seemed to
emphasize his resolution - it went
down with such firm rap. Suddenly,
down from a cross-road came half a
dozen young cattle at a quick trot, fol-
lowed by a man. They settled into a
quieter pace; and the two men walked
along side by side, keeping, however,
the width of the road between them.
They neither of them took any notice
of the other, and they marched along
silently for some way, save for an oc-
casional tempestuOus sniff or snort.
The newcomer was man about ten
years younger than the first; he was
taller. and of a milder expression. He
was stout and red-faced, and carried
himself with faint lingering of a SOL
dierly bearing. One sleeve was pinned
across his breast.
These two men were the cattle-drivers
of ShOrnstone parish, and were consld-
cred by its inhabitants to be peculiarly
fitted for their Office, owing to their
respective misfortunes. Nervous old
ladies and gentlemen, however, were
not SO sure of this sometimes, when
they met them driving fierce bulls in
narrow lanes. Each regarded the
other as defrauding him of his rightful
dues, and they hated one another with
q deadly hate in consequence.
How set up some folks be, for sure,
If they gets few mis'able young calves
to drive!" said the little man, suddenly,
apparently addressing the hedge.
All! And there's others as thinks
they be gwine to make their fortunes
If they gets couple o old cows only
fitten to go to kennel" said the other,
to his side of the hedge.
They walked on in silence again for
a space, though both seemed to bristle
with wrath.
Some folks may hev only one arm,
but they've fingers enough on it to put
into other peoples pockets and pick
'em of their honest rights" said the
little man, resuming his conversation
with the hedge.
"And if others only hev one leg, their
OGDEN uns can carry 'em along fast
enough if they thinks they can get any
thing by it," replied the other to his
side. 1t was noticeable that his re-
marks were always a weak echo of the
other.
81 may hev only one leg, but lost II
honest, as you med say. Now, if I'd
lost it fur gwine fur shillen a day
and cutten off other peoples, I'd say it
served me jolly we'll right! Fur a shil-
len day"
Henry Legge, as the stout man was
called, could think of no retort to this;
he took off his hat and pushed up his
stiff, gray hair angrily; whereupOn the
little man changed his tactics.
81 have a-heerd say as there be some
as brags as they've lost their arms in
battle, when twas only they fell I'M,
der cart when they was tight! nce,
hee, hee,' - 80 a. X
This Vas too much for Henry; he
turned round, dropping all pretense,
That be lie, benjamin Creeth, and
you know it be-"
Benjamin Creeth gave an affected
start, and looked innocently at him
"Lor! | didn't know as anyone wa.
there. l did hear a noise like, but
tho't twas a COW blaren."
Henry's large, red face turned pur
pie You one-legged old rascal he
exclaimed, furiously.
Sure, yes! | hev only one leg, bu
for all that, there be Legge TOO many
in the world" said Benjamin, chuck
ling at his own bad joke.
nAhl And there,s a Iarre a sll lricl