The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1901-10-11
AN EDUCATED FOOL.

Browns a fool. He might have
o first money il he'd listened to his
jockey. instead Of trusting to his own
judgment. Those educated fellows
don't know ii all, il they have got SO
much book learning. | have always
noticed that men who understand
horse nature usually understand hui
man nature pretty well. I've dealt in
horseilesh all my life, and I've never
made a mistake yet in my estimate Of
either man or beast"
The speaker sat leaning back in an
armchair on the veranda Of the hotel
Of which he vas proprietor. surround
ed by a group Of horsemen who had
just returned from the races. and who,
full Of il eXcitements. were discussing
the merits and dement's Of the various
horses. and their owners and jockeys
IS we'll.
Being q successful owner in horse
flesh himself, DeGolyer naturally
gathered about him men Of like
tGstes. habits and interests.
"There goes another educated fool.
That young chap Of a minister has got
one of III, best colts in the country,
and don't seem to know It.. I've had
my eye on her for some time"
His listeners all turned to look at
the colt.
by Jove! 1fthefool hasn't driven
her plumb into the fence. Sayinghis
prayers. suppose, and forgot that he
was driving a valuable colt"
y roar Of laughter followed this re-
mark just as the colt backed, reared,
plunged. backed again. bro ;e the har-
mess and turned the minister out, for
tnnaicly unhurt.
All this looked bad for the specula-
tors estimate Of a good horse, but De-
Golyer's wit vas equal to the occasion,
and in order to show that his faith
was It'll undaunted, he said: "After
such n fracas as that i. a good time to
stump the young chap for a trade"
and he ran across the road TO themin-
iS!er's assistance, followed By his son
George. who had been a silent listener
to biz fathers remarks, which he well
understood had been as much for his
benefit " for theentertainment of the
group.
What in the deuce did you let that
colt run up against the fence for?"
said the trader. you'll spoil her."
81 don't seem to be able to manage
her"
Likely You don't drive her
enough"
g! don't have time"
"Thon you'd better sell her before
ihc's spoiled, and you get your neck
broken, if you don't know how to
manage better than that"
Il suppose | might as well; ] don't
neci her.
what do you hold herat?"
81 couldn't say what she is worth"
DeGolyer usually assumed an atti-
sude Of great indifference whenever
he wanted to buy or trade a horse, but
he thought it best to change his tac-
tics this time, for were not the men on
the yeranda watching the progress Of
the stump"
well, you know how much YOU
gave for her, don't you; how much her
keeps cost, and about how much will
make you even or more!"
"She was a present from my
father answered the minister, with
exasperating indifference.
How old doyou reckon herr"
by looking her well over, / sup
pose you can tell about that as well
a. ! can"
"Well, well; | mean her exact age"
Just four this month"
How would you like to trade her
for a watch?"
'Idon't know. lean get along very
well without her. I'm not as good
a horseman as my father, and he told
10 sell her if | found / couldn't
manage her all right" answered the
minister, hesitatingly, Il need a
watch, and 1t don't cost 10 keep it. and
it does a horse" !