The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-06-14

''Mr. Lee, have made up my mind
to sell Brown Bess," she said, after
getting the things she needed. "Do
you know anybody that wants a
horse ,"
"Dear me, Going to sell Brown
Bess. Well, was thinking of buying
a young horse for my Alice. Is she
safe for girl of ten, do you think ?'
the grocer asked.
Susy grew pale. She had not antiei-
paied question of that sort, bat she
answered, after a moments indecis-
ion:
"She is fond of taking her own head
sometimes. No, Mr.. Lee, if find it
hard TO manage her, she would never
do for your little girl"
'Ah. Pm sorry for that, Miss Susy,"
said the storekeeper. "But / know a
man who wants spirited horse. What
would you sell her for? ?'i
'I leave that to the purchaser" Susy
made answer. Papa paid S75 for her
more than year ago, aud wouldn't
want TO take less than that, for need
the money very mueh," she went on,
''and if you will be so kind as to take
an interest in the matter" She stop
ped, her eyes wistful.
"Why, of course I WILL" the grocer
responded. "I'll send my boy TO your
house with the groceries, and he can
bring the horse back with him. If any
thing is done in the way of a sale Pll
let you know at once"
Susy thanked him and went on her
way home. As she came in sight Of
the house, an old-fashiOned, twO-story
building, where dilspidstion was rem
dered picturesque by profuse growth
Of ivy that covered the front porch and
much of the exterior walls, she felt
more comfortable as she thought over
her prospects. In imagination she had
her mother quite recOnciled to all her
plans, her school life assured and all
things going on swimmingly. For who
knew but Brown Bess might bring her
500, she was so spirited and handsome?
Work and home seemed brighter.
The grocer's boy came for the horse,
and though il was hard parting with
the pretty creature, Susy, in expeeta-
ton of results, bore the separation
brayely.
Cant we take a little of the money
you get to shingle the roof" her moth
er asked as the horse was led away.
az hope So" Susy replied blithely.
"And you still think Of going to
school? Amt you too old ?"
"rm not IS yet," was Susy's answer.
"Many girls go to school till they are
90"
"And there's clothes to think Of,
dresses and bonnets and Shoes"
"Oh, they'll be provided" susy said,
with q little laugh.
"An' winters comin'-an' it's two or
three miles to the 'cademy," her moth
er went on, each time throwing more
plaintive cadence into her voice.
Toms clothes are terribly patched,
an mother needs fiannels. l amt so
young as / was once, but / amt sayin'
anything about myself, on'y it's kind
of hard to spare you," and the lines in
her mothers weak face deepened.
Mother, wish you could see it as
do. 1 must go to the academy" Susy
made reply. "It's the opportunity of
my life. But tell you what will do.
If get 500 for Brown Bess I'll divide
even. Fifty dollars would go long
way, wouldn't it2p
".Well, yes, $50 would get everything
we need,1 was the reply. "But you're
never goin' to get 500. You'll be more
than lucky if you get $50.
swell, mother" said Susy, desper-
zsely, ''if 1 only get $50, Pn divide
even. 1t will be $50 coming in every
month if only get the school,"
81 don't sees there's any chance Of
that, u said her mother, with a woe be-
gone face.
Day after day Susy waited, but no
word came about Brown Bess. Tom
declared that be believed there was no
prospect of selling her, but one day
Charlie Grant drove up to the house,
his face fairly beaming.
81 thought I'd bring you the news"
be said, as he came into the bright liv-
ing-room.
"Have they sold Brown Bess?" Susy
asked, her voice trembling in her ex-
element to hear.
"Well, yes-that is. If you'll take the
price they Offer" Charlie made answer.
ooh, l hope it's hundred" said
Susy.
"A hundredv' laughed Charlie. sis
that what you value her at? Lucky for
you that / was in at the bargain. That
horse will be worth thousands of dol
lars before long. Tue msn who bought
her trains horses for the race course.
He has discovered remarkable quail
ties ia Brown Bess as trotter, and is
willing to give you 81 900 for her."
A thousand dollars! Sasy stood for
moment like statue; then she iiew
into the kitchen, where her mother was
making the daily batch of bread, ex-
claiming:
"a thousand dollars, motherl we're
richl Brown Bess Is sold for thou
sand dolIarsl You won't have TO work
hard this winter. Tom can get two
suits of clothes if he wants them, and
buy the five-acre lot. Grandma can
have all the fire she needs; the roof
shall be shingled, the mortgage paid
off and-and-n
"What am I to have?' Charlie ask
ed, as she stopped, out Of breath, he
having followed her into the kitchen.
She turned round, and, blushing
beautifully, held out her hands He
ciasped them both and drew her to his
hOs0m