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


down the street for inspection. He was
not a pretty horse in any way, but
Carpenter gave me a 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 a dollar;
wind and legs all right" said he, in a
whisper. 'sIve seen him before. He's
good fer a mile under 2:40. Quiet as Il
lamb, no fool notions; sensible as a
Christian about trains-knows the
mime can't hurt him if he keeps off the
track"
Whats the price?''
give hundre 1-asked,' said he, with
strong emphasis on the last word.
L whistled softly.
"Oh, that's the askin' price," he ex-
planned. Its like woman's chignon:
it'll come Off"
I'm in your hands, said I. "Under-
stand, I want your guarantee in this
business, and you'll be paid for it. Be
sides the horse, I need harness and Il
buggy"
"Wall," said he, after a moments cal
culation, It'll be fair with We. Will We
give me what can clear under $500 fer
the hull outfit, boss, light-runnin'
buggy, and good harness."
'It's a bargain. I'll go to the bank,
draw the money, and bring it to you
here. Will you drive the rig to Bassett
vile, so that I can get it there tonight
when come down by train?''
''By the tine yer back from the bank
I'll have made the dicker and be ready
to start" said he. And he was as good
as his word. Before noon the payment
had been made and my new horse was
trotting steadily along the road lead
ing from Trent. Carpenters praise of
the animal had been enough to end my
doubts as to his speed, but could not
but wish that the steed were more pleas
ing to look upon.
Though I wasted good deal of time
over midday dinner and the various
commissions had to execute, found
upon reaching the railway station that
there was nearly an hour of waiting
ahead of me before the accommodation
train should begin it's journey down the
road. The station, however, was not
bad place in which to kill time, for two
lines met there, and the rapid ebb and
morning to night. I rubbed elbows
with stolid farmers, brisk townspeople
and nervous women, chatted for mo-
ment with an acquaintance, and then
stepped out upon the platform in
search of some sheltered nook where
cigar might be enjoyed in peace. A
long train from the west monopoliZed
one of the tracks. It appeared to be
strolled the length of it, surveying
with some amusement the faces fiat
tened against the windows of the cars,
faces old, middle-aged and young, but
all alike in their expression of vague
curiosity, as their owners watched the
stream of travellers passing from the
waiting-rooms. had nearly reached
the end Of the last car, and had bent
down to strike match in the lee of it,
when I heard my name called.
"Oh, DIR. Morris, DIR. Morris, dear doc
tor, that's you, isn't it? Do come here,
quick, quick! The train will be start
ing in a second, and I must see you.
Oh, doctor, doctor, quick, quick!''
I recognized the voice. 1t was that
of Mrs. Loring, with all the old hurry
ing rush of words I remembered SO well.
Looking up, I saw the itinerant sufferer
leaning far out of the car window, with
one arm waving wildly, as if to assist
in attracting my attention. Pulling off
my hat, I sprang toward her.
"Oh, this is fortunate, fortunate, doc
tor-you can't know how fortunate!"
she cried. give been anxious, so anx-
ious, to see you. How is my health?
Oh, doctor, it's terrible, terrible, worse
than ever, doctor; worse, much worse,
very much worse
'And Miss Gray, is she still with
you?" I asked, my eyes roaming over
the windows and seeking her niece's
face at one of them.
Eyes, yes, dear girl, dear girl, she
never leaves me. How could she, and
have a heart? Mine, doctor, has been
up to 12O minute"
Indeed" said I, throwing due pro-
fessional gravity into the word. ST
trust Miss Gray is wello'
Eyes, yes, as well as ever. And a tenn
perature of 102, repeatedly, doctor, re-
peatedly."
"What, Miss Gray's temp" cried /.
with no fictitious concern.
"No, no, mine. Dear me, doctor,
didn't I tell you it was mine? Those
springs in Kentucky-we've just come