Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-10-29

steady service, for the roads were excel
lent, being sufficiently sandy soon to
rid themselves of undesirable moisture,
and I explored the highways and by
ways for miles around. Near the vii
1age let my steed choose his own gait,
but when we found a level bit of road
where there were likely to be TO spec
tators the trotter had an opportunity
to prove his speed. He was all that Car
penter had said for him; devoid OF
nerves, yet, when pushed, by long odds
the fastest animal in the region. His
appearance certainly was against him
Arching the neck he left to the younger
and less philosophical of his kind; his
head was carried as low as that Of the
oldest and most decrepit pillow horse
in the town. He was free from the vice
of stumbling, yet often seemed to
threaten to lose his footing ON the
slightest provocation. A high knee
action was foreign to his notions, and
his ordinary trot was a mere shuttle.
Yet he covered ground surprisingly,
even when apparently only lounging
along. His only serious fault, from
practical point of view, was a hard
mouth, which sometimes made it no
our SpurtS.
We were jogging along toward the
village one day, when j heard sharp
pattcr of hoofs behind me, and soon
DR.. Banks clever little mare drew up
alongside the dark bay.
Good morning, Norris her owner
called out, in his CHEEKY voice, which
had done as much for his patients as
half his prescriptions.
Fine day, DOCTOR" shouted back to
him.
Very professional-lookingn nag you've
got there" he continued. "WiIl stand
without hitching, I'll be bound"
"He answers my purpose well
enough I responded, rather stif1y,
for after awhile jokes about ones horse,
no matter how well intentioned, lose the
charm of novelty.
PITY he hasn't more speed" said the
other, and, with a twitch of the reins,
he shot his mare Il couple of lengths
ahead. 1t was probably his scheme to
trot a hundred yards Or so and then pull
up to watch in triumph my tardy APP
proach. When he looked over his
shoulder, however, the bays head was
close to his wheel. Much surprised,
and no less disappointed, he brought
his animal down to q walk, a proceed
ing which promptly initiated.
I've been waEting to have a talk
with you, Norris he said. 1T has
struck me that we might cooperate
little to our mutual advantage
Indeed ?" said I, wondering what
might be in the old gentleman's mind.
1.-THE fact is, I'm getting ancient"
he went on.
Not bit of it, said I. you're in
your prime, fair, plump, and forty
DENY the first, admit the second, and
make the third half as much again."
said he. I'm not broken down-and
I don't want to be before my time
That's just the point. This last win
ter gave me {; warning. Besides, I've
enough to live on, and I'd like to have
a little chance for play after DO years
of work. l want to travel a bit, to see
something of this big country Of ours.
I'm like mole that knows his particu
lar garden by heart, but has hardly
notion of what may be on the other side
of the fence. The long and short of 1T
is, I'd like to shift my heavy work to
younger shoulders, which will bear it
AiO1S easily, anu, udrS say DSGler
Not BETTER said I.
''The fact is, as you've probably dis
covered, this town is hardly big enough
to support two doctors comforta bly,.
It has seemed to me that we might make
some arrangement which would be adj
vantageous to both of US. There's Il
young chap in Trent who is trying to
dicker with me, but I've put him off,
for you're first on the ground, and 1
don't believe in making two people
sleep in a bed that's large enough for
only one. By the way, though. am
right in supposing that you've decided
to remain here permanently? That
would make a difference, of course
81 can't say that 1 have any settled
plans,' said /, "but there's no eXpecta-
ton of moving Immediately"
''Well, think it over. There's no
hurry about it, he answered: and,
chirruping to his mare, away he ratified
toward the village.
ITO BE CONTINUED