The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-06-17
A TENDERFOOT'S
HORSE TRADE.
THE starlit gloom Off glorious mid

TINE starlit gloom Of glorious mid
summer night was settling over
n the prairie as George Sanders jog |
ged slowly and painfully along, still a |
dozen miles or so from his next stopping
place. His horse was an excellent one,
but very tired from It's long Journey.
George was n tenderfoot. His health !
failing under too close application to
business In the East. he had taken his
doctors advice to pass year or more +,
out Of doors by accepting an Invitation
from an old friend to join him on his
cattle ranch In the northern part OF
Texas lie was now on his journey
thither, and a full two hundred miles
from his destination.
As he rode along his attention was
arrested by the clatter OF hoofs and a
few moments after single horseman
came within view. He refined his steed
up sharply when within a dozen yards
of our friend, and greeted him with an
affable nod and smile.
Through the dim light George beheld
a stalwart individual In the pictur-
esque garb OF the frontier. lie also OBJ
served that he bestrOde n magnificent
animal, which evidently had been
driven very hard. as 1t was lecked
heavily with foam.
Good evening stranger" said the
plainsman, pleasantly. (which way, II
! am not too curlousT
The mans friendly manner won
George at once. He answered freely
as to his purpose, destination, and so
on, casually remarking that his horse
was about whipped, and that he feared
its strength would not hold out to the
end.
''To Weldon's ranchw exclaimed the
stranger. "rhen mebbe yer the relation
he spoke about? I'm from Wcldon's-
b'long thar-and am kinder looking up
lost stock. Queer, amt II, how folks'll
meet sometimes? Yes, Hank spoke
about your coming not more'n a week
ago"
George was overjoyed to meet with
one who knew his old friend. The two
cantered along side by side for some
miles. and became quite unreseryed In
their interchange of condolences.
Here's n hoss," said the stranger,
I'm the course of the conversation, that
hain't got his ekal on the plains. He's
one of Hanks best stock. as will gal
lop night and day without feed or
water If he't got ter. Now, I'll do by
you jest as Hank would want me to II
he was here. l amt In no hurry. being
jest jogging along looking for Weldon's
brand. while you've got nigh two hun
dred miles afore ye. and not much of a
boss to make 1t on. My proposition Is
that you can take this boss back 10
Weldon's and I'll take yourn. can
trade him into something afore another
day rs over"
He spoke so disintcrestedly, and his
horse was so obviously a superior one
that George accepted the offer without
hesitation. They dismountcd, discuss
ed the points of the horses as critically
as the darkness permitted. exchange,
saddle and bride, remounted and con
tinued on. After cantering along 70
several miles the stranger-he gave hi
name as William Horton-bade Georg'
i''N'HAA ANAtu AhAA'N ~ 49,
south The darkness swallowed hin
aud he was seen no more.
George was a good judge OF horse
flesh, and found that his acquisition
was a superb one. He was strong, flee
and spirited-three qualities that uni
ted with sOundncss of limb and kindll
ness OF temper. make the perfect AM
nal. He was still thinking over tn
generosity OF the stranger when b
reached Burrit's Station. and was 500
comfortably settled In the only publ
house In the place.
While he was dlspatching the far
placed before him he heard sounds q
an animated discussion from the dire'
ton of the barn. His window bein
open to admit the dangerous souther
brcezes, he found no difficulty In heal
Ing all that was said.
Il tell you he tallies TO n dot!' erie
stridently InsIstent voice. Look
the boss. and then read the description
Coal black; weight ten hundred; Ion
name and tail: white left fore foot; sea
on right haunch-its him to dot. NV
hundred dollars reward for the nos
and Judge Lynch for the THEIR
George did not grasp fully the 81
nlhcance Of what he had heard, and y
he understood It well enough to max
him thoroughly uneasy. He was stl
eating when the door opened and nca
ly dozen men died solemnly In.