Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-03-02


years. His mother had every comfort,
he thought, gladly. TWAS shame for
old Mrs. Dick to be 30 poorly provided
for as she was. How those two old
people would fare and feel in the poor
house! Then his mind ran to the
horse. Gould he afford the bargain
before him? He understood we'll what
his wife had meant.
'Pshawp' He uttered the impatient
| exclamation aloud. ''The bargain
was Dicks own making" thought
the squire. "I'm not bound to tell
the old man he is letting his horse go
far below it's value. Or am II" The
squire grew angry with himself that
he should allow such query to con-
front him.
f" 'Taint the money" just then Don
observed in an hubble mutter to
Aleck, giving the stable door a kick as
he spoke.
The boys had let nothing escape
them. Don had been reading his
fathers thoughts. The kick called
Squire Dexter back to the present.
He looked up at the boys. His sons
were sharp like himself, he reflected.
Could he afford it? He determined to
shift the responsibility of the bargain
upon the boys They should decide.
AS he turned to speak the ola man
quavered behind him. The hesitation
had worried him.
81 thought it was a good bargain,
squire. I'll have to sell her. I might
| take
The squire had whispered to his
boys: 81 could get the horse for 500.
She is worth $500. Shall 1 beat him
down to $50? I leave it to you."
"But, pa,' interposed Don, with
frown, "would that be just right when
we took the refusal at 1852"
"And he's got lots of things to get,"
| said Aleck.
81 say he ought to get what's right"
said Don, stoutly, and Aleck nodded
vigorous assent.
''Mr. Dickp' The squire pulled
his coat about him and wheeled upon
the old man. "Don't say n thing.
l can't afford the price" The per-
emptory tone made old Mr.. Dick
| shrink.
"Eben!" The squire turned back to
the door. ''Step herer'
Eben Dexter had thought it best not
to be seen in the transaction. He
was used to bargaining, and he thought
the sight of a stranger might raise the
price. He did not know what kind of
man Mr.. Dick was. Then he had
wanted to enjoy his cigar. But he,
too, had been observing some of the
very things the squire had observed,
and the cigar had lost its flavor
He threw it aside in disgust as he
stepped inside at his brothers call
and saw the white-haired, bent, shabby
old man trying to hide disappointment
in unnecessary attentions to the ami
NAL in the stall.
"This is my brother, Mr.. Dick" :"
The squire's tone was cool and even.
The old man raised his faded, misty
eyes and bowed silently. Hell make
you an offer for your horse.'
Eben Dexter looked in surprise at
his brother. "Not going to buy it
yourself?" he asked
''We can't afford it," The squire
made comprehensive gesture that
took in the wondering boys, Mr.. Dick
and himself "Make him the offer
you made me-"
Eben Dexter raised his shaggy eye
brows, glanced at the boys, who were
staring straight into their fathers
eyes, looked once more at his brother,
took hold of his own coat-collar and
shook himself up 'Mr Dick, I'll
buy your horse for $500"
What" The old man gasped.
81 guess 1 can add 500 on my own
account" said Eben Dexter, coolly,
nodding sturdily back at his brother
and then laughing encouragingly as
he saw old Mr.. Dick clinging trem-
bling to the manger. ''That'll make
three. That is what your horse is
worth"
''And I could not afford to give
what she is worth, said the squire,
recovering his most matter Of fact
manner
The Dexters were prompt to act
when decision was reached A check
was drawn on the spot, while the
squire tried to ward off the broken
thanks that Mr.. Dick attempted to
utter.
''No poorhouse, no poorhouse," he
murmured, again and again, causing
both men to shuttle about uneasily and
sending Don and Aleck outside for
violent wrestling match by way of con-
cealing their emotion.
''You'll have horse when [ can af-
ford it,, the squire simply said to the
boys as the two men came out to find
them thus JOY ously engaged and to
send them back for Doll. He knew
that his sons understood.
'1m glad Dexter's got him. re-
iterated old man Dick, his bent form
Strengthened up, his eyes beaming, as
he stepped spryly about making prepa-
rations for Dolls departure. ''It amt
so hard to let her go now. Oh, but
it's what a man takes along when he