Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-06-04
VII

VII
Had the master of the house on the
knoll been other than he was, this
latest precaution might have served TO
excite a Suspicion that his mind was
beginning to give way under the de-
pressing influences Of his manner of
existence. Afterwarrl, 1t is true, sus-
picions of the sort came to me, though
they were never long-llved, but at that
time, while wonder was aroused, the
feeling carried with 1t DO suggestion
that he was not actuatAd by some suf-
ficient reason for the step he had taken
So far as I knew, his safety was not
threatened; but l had to confess my
self In ignorance of the character Of the
peril he dreaded, and TO note his ar
rangements, without nppreciating the
need of them, much as a raw recruit
might watch the many and seemingly
excessive precautions of veteran in
charge of magazine
About fortnight after the adven-
ture in the marsh Lamar surprised me
with an invitation to dine. He said very
little while the meal was in progress,
but when Martha had cleared up the ta-
BILE and shufIled off to her own domain
he began to talk with unwonted free
dom. He asked questions about the
village, concerning which his curiosity
was certainly newborn, and then about
the progress had made in building up
practice.
WELL" said l, rather sheepishly, Its
slow work. People hereabouts are
conservative Most of them have sur
vived old DIR. Banks attentions for a
good many years and they are cautious
about changing. Besides, most of them
knew me as q youngster, and it takes
time to live down the fact that I was a
boy"
you maintain the professional ARP"
said he, inquiringly.
"Yes, though they give me little
cause to smell of drugs. Strange end
powerful odors would impress them,
I suspect; at least some of the older
brethren seem to find such an aroma
worth carrying about with them"
you should possess a conveyance of
your own"
$50 far one has been unnecessary. In
case OF need, Mrs. Weston lends me a
horse and buggy"
THAT will not suffice. Procure a
suitable vehicle and horse-one Of
speed. The cost shall be mine"
every WELL" answered.
He rose and bowed In the fashion in
which he terminated an interview,
adding, however, before he left the
room: Procure them at once"
I understood that in this order he
had an eye as much to his own benefit
less. There was nothing in the way OF
horsehesh in the neighborhood which
would meet the requirement of great
speed, and ! resolved to drive to Bas-
settville the next day to seek Sam Car
penter's assistance, his knowledge of
the trotting stock of the region being
encyclopaedia In It's scope. To the
shrewdness of horse trader born and
bred he joined n reasonable amount
of honesty, and, as there could be no
haRgling over his commission, he could
be relied on as u trustworthy adviser.
When drew rein the following morn
ing before his stable he came out to
meet me, with twinkle of profession
al amusement In his eye as he glanced
at Mrs. Weston's steady old mare and
Tamshackle blackboard.
"Sam," said I, getting down to busi-
ness at once, ST want to buy good
horse"
Like enough ye dew" he answered,
dryly. "Many dews; some gifts EN-"
II want your help. What's more I'll
pay for it"
"Now yer talkin' sense" said he,
warming up little. "Buyin' a hoss s
like gittin' wife; II yer don't know yer
bizness, good looks IL fool ye, nine times
out O. ten. But what's yer pick, go or
show?"
Go" said I. "a horse that will stand
without tying, that's easy to drive, that
hos no bad tricks, that will jog along
till he's called upon, and then will give
anything in the country his dust-that's
the horse I'm after"
"D'jer ever try to name baby SOS TO
suit seven maiden aunts?" he queried,
with what seemed to be unnecessary
irrelevance.
"No."
"Wall, I reckon ye've got the same
kind of job on hand"
''Oh, come" said I. you're my re-
liance in this. Scratch your head, and
dig out what I'm after. twill be worth
your while" -.
: He reflected for q moment
"Wall," said he, there's nothin' to
suit ye round here: but IL yen come
along to Trent. I'll show ye just the
article yer after"
The proposal pleased me; for had
several errands to attend to in that
city, and ride Of less than ON hour by
rail would carry us there.
"Come on, then" said Carpenter,
when had agreed to his plan; Tets
get down ter the deepo. Trains due in
ten minutes"
During the trip he told me some
thing of the various happenings In
Bassettville, and. In turn, sought news
of Rodneytown In general. and Of my
patient in particular. He had heard,
he said, a story that the invalid was
rich brewer from the south who had
been sent to less enervating climate.
prayed that the yarn might receive gen
eral circulation and credence, though
how it had been started was one of the
mysteries of countryside gossip.
Hes from Charleston, South Car
liny, some folks allow" said Carpenter,
suggestively.
Prom that direction, certainly"
answered.
"He keeps mighty close"
HE has to. Quiet, absolute quiet, IS
the best medicine he can have" hast
ened to explain.
"'Tain't much fun fer q man ter live
like clam" Carpenter observed "Still,
It's hvin', and that beats dyin' every
time. It's like fishin' fer bass and
catchin' bull-heads."
When we left the train at the Trent
station Sam led the way TO the stable
where we hoped to make purchase.
The horse, q big dark bay, long-legged
and with q wisp of u tail, was brought
out of his stall and trotted up and
down the street for inspection. He was
not a pretty horse In any way, but
Carpenter gave me n nudge which
might be taken to indicate that the
animal met his approval. He drew me
aside, after having made a long and
thorough examination of the horse.
Eight years old, sound as q dollar;
wind and legs all right" said he, In q
whisper. ''I've seen him before. He's