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

saw the same trait creep out now and
then in Don and Aleck, his sons.
Not that the Dexters were dishonest
as the world defines dishonesty; the
squire would not have done anything
that he thought dishonorable, but he
had knack of getting the best of a
bargain.
For various reasons Squire Dexter
did not keep horse, which was a
sore vexation to the boys. Doll was
Mr.. Dicks horse, clean -limbed
young chestnut which the squire liked
to drive. AS he frequently hired the
animal, he thought himself quite n
benefactor to poor Mr.. Dick.
Mr.. Dick had not made such sue
cess financially as had the squire. He
was simple, straightforward old man,
who had seen nearly all his property
slip through his fingers in his dealings
with those sharper than himself. The
squire said this was due to lack of
business qualifications, and he private
ly opined that the old man should not
keep horse, since he could hardly
provide himself and wife with neces-
saries.
But old Mr. Dick clung to his horse,
and as no one except the Dexter boys
had evinced much desire to own it, he
had encountered no great temptation
to part with it.
Now the temptation had come in
the form of bodily needs. The old
man shivered in his thin clothes that
ba ia1
''After Doll again?" he asked, with
an abortive attempt to cease shivering
as the boys rushed into the stable.
''Yes, sir" answered Aleck.
''Your pas getting pretty fond of
DOLL" said Mr.. Dick, giving last
touch to her name. 81 don't see why
he don't have horse"
Nor L" said Don, impulsively.
''He might buy DOLL" said the old
man, slowly.
Don and Aleck exchanged glances.
Don slipped on the bride before he
put the question that was crowding
for utterance: "Would you sell her?"
''I've seen the time / wouldn't, but
it's different now," said Mr.. Dick,
sadly. "l'm getting old, and-and =
l need the money"
The boys knew what this meant.
Last week there had been talk that the
Dicks would be on the town this win
ter.
"How much will you take for Doll?"
asked Aleck.
''It don't seem as if SO ought to be
too much. Dolls got good blood in
her-but do need the money!" the
old man sighed.
''Will you give father the refusal
until tomorrow 1t was Don who
put this question. He could not await
Alexis more deliberate speech.
''I'd rather your family should have
her. You know how to use horse,
and you like DOLL" partly mused the
old man.
The squire had told the boys to put
Doll to the carriage before bringing
her up the lane to the house door,
but they could hardly wait to this, so
eager were they to tell the news.
'Its what call bargain" said
Don, emphatically, as he jumped into
the carriage.
"Yes," assented Aleck, "father sup
posed old man Dick would want S100
for her."
"Well, Uncle Eben will think it
cheap He paid $500 for span, and
/ guess neither one was any better
than DOLL"
Soon they were at the gate where
Squire Dexter anu his brother were
standing.
Don screamed out first. "We've
struck such bargain, fatherr'
Then the two, as they tumbled out
of the vehicle, poured out an excited
account of their call on the old man.
Squire Dexter tnrned to his brother
with laugh.
They're Dexters, Eben, through
and through. Know good thing
when they see it"
"And will you take her, father?"
said Don, as the squire and Eben got
into the buggy.
''We'll see. Uncle Eben will test
her.
1t was noon before the two men re-
turned
Eben Dexter was good judge of
horsefiesh, and the animal had been
closely scrutinized in every particular.
AS he stepped out of the carriage the
eager boys heard him say, 'Td clinch
it at once. She'll sell in the market
for $500 at least, with that style aud
action. Sound as a dollar, too. I'll
find a buyer at that price any day. I'll
give you 5000, myself"
"Whew, but did you hear that?''
Don whistled ecstatically, and gave
Aleck n punch in the ribs that sent
him headlong into the vacated carriage
as they got in to take the mare home.
81 should say I did," grumbled
Aleck. rubbing his side. ''But it