The Opelousas courier., 1900-07-14
MOLLY'S FIRST
And ONLY RACE.

IL NuS vi ii pd1luy cuAS oAtOA ASoA
in a little Massachusetts town tina
hard-fisted, misery, rich old Gerart
Braman walked into Farmer Josl
Middleton's Farm yard, where he wa
busy stacking salt hay. The farme1
saw his approach and his usual rudd.
countenance whitcned.
You know that you owe me $1,00(
on this place, Middleton, and that i
has been overdue for morn two
months. Now I've got a chance to sci
the place for a snug sum that'll leave
you a few dollars, and why not d.
1t? You well know that you can't pay
it."
Great drops Of perspiration stood or
Middleton's forehead as ne slowly
Strengthened his angular form ant
looked the miser full in the face.
"Yes, I know I owe you a thou
sand dollars, Gerard Braman, and
goodness knows | wish l didn't. But
the place'l never be sold with my con.
sent. Why, man, it would break moth.
er's heart. Don't you know all Of our
boys and gals wuz born here an we've
only got John left out of seven? No,
Gerard Braman, the good Lord will
provide some way for me to save our
old home If yen only give me a little
more time"
"Tut, man"' replied Braman. "Your
crops have failed this. year ON account
of the drought, and where under hea-
vens can you look for a dollar to come
from, / would like to known
This was a stagger for Middleton,
rs he knew that his relentless credi-
tor was only telling the truth.
, "You might possibly sell the mare
Molly for a couple Of hundred dollars
went on Braman. II don't know but I
would give 1t myself"
This touched Middleton In a sensi-
tive part, for the mare was the idol of
the family. She was possessed Of q
great burst Of speed, but had never
been trained except an occasional trial
on the road for short distances, when
she invariably left her competitors far
In the rear.
Much obleeged, Mr.. Braman. But
Molly'll never leave the farm until we
all go together. / raised her from a
baby, an she's got a warm place in old
John Middleton's heart. Why she'd die
from inconsistencies il she went where
she missed the apples, the little sweet
meats we gives her. ANY part of the
farm where she can hear my call she'll
answer an come like q streak err dark
lightnin."
At that moment John drove into the
yard with the mare hitched to a rick
ETY. old wagon. Her nostrils were well
open and the thin pointed ears, mar
now muzzle, wide forehead, long bar
rel, thin, fat, bony legs, and long
sweeping tail bespoke the inheritance
Of some pure, well-bred strain in her
blood.
'Been raein' agin, John" asked Mid
dleton, as he fondly eyed his pet and
stroked her nose softly.
'Yes, dad. Ye see | was comm down
the turnpike when Dexter, tibet rich
man from out West, pulled out on us
with his trotter thet Bill Jenkins says
he paid q thousan' dollars for. AS 1t
was q good stretch I let Molly go m
we beat him all holler, didn't we,
Molly?'
"Well, Middleton, TIL give you until
the 25th day Of July to pay me in full,
and not n day longer. / mean interest
and principal. Don't forget it."
AS Braman left the yard, MI. Dexter
drove in, having followed John home.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Middleton, /
suppose?p
That's my name, as some calls me.
but ! like John better. What can / do
for you?' said the farmer.
Il have q horse here with a record
OF 2:15, for which / paid a consider
able sum OF money. Now, as your mare
can beat him so easily, / want to buy
herrf Name your price, and make it
end1lgh, MS I meal to have her."
VT. Dexter, when you drove in here.
the kaSan who left at the same time /
owe q thousand dollars to besides some
interest, and. If / can't pay him ON
the 25th day OF July, interest and
principal, away goes our home and
everything with lt--and he-he-want-
ed to buy Molly, but I can't sell her.
I can't sell her-it's no use."
M ~
TN pay your mortgage In full to-
morrow, Mr.. Middleton, IL you'l give
. bill OF sale Of the mare to me when
! hand you the papers," said the visi-
tor, watching Molly with nm admiring
eye.
This offer made Middleton hold his
breath. Here was q chance TO get out
OF his old enemy's clutches and save
his home. Back and forth the old far
mer paced, while john was crying
like q baby at the thought OF parting
With his old companion.
Just MS the farmer had about made
~ his mind to say yesthe d whin-
MED and rubbed her nose against his
already xloistened cheek. That set
fled it. Throwing his browny, barred
brown arm around her neck ana pat
ting It fondlys he replied:
You've offered more'n she's with.
Dexter; but | can't part with her,
M must trust to some other way Of
getting ont OF my trouble with Bra
ian"
The affection exhibited for the IN
telligent animal touched The wealthy
chicagoan. When be saw that Middle