Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-19

Ny the men for keener enjoy
ment than usual OF nights sport.
They had lust begun to dispose them
and other games when Hi rode up into
the light and with len a stranger on
Ovens beautiful pinto pony.
Hi was evidently half drunk. and,
as he swuDg himself off his bronco,
he saluted the company with wave
Of the hand and hoped he saw them
"kickip."
Bill. looking curiously at Hi, went
up to the pinto. and, taking him by the
head led him up into the light, saying:
See here. boys. there's that pinto of
mine | was tellin' you about. No dies
on him, eh?"
Hold on there. Excuse me-" said
the stranger. this here boss belongs
TO me, If paid down money means any
thing In this country"
The countrys all right" said Bill
In an ominously quiet voice. but this
here pinto's another transaction, l
reckon
THE boss is mine, I say and what's
more I'm goin' to hold him." said the
stranger in loud voice.
The men began to crowd around with
faces growing hard. It was dangerous
in that country to play fast and loose
with horses.
Look a-hyar. mates" said the stran-
ger, with a Yankee drawl y amt no
boss thief. and if ] hain't bought this
boss regular and paid down good mon
ey then il amt mine; if | have, it is
That's fair, amt it,
At this Hi pulled himself together
and in a half drunken tone declared
that the stranger was all right and
that he had bought the horse fair and
| square, and there's your dust" said
Hi, handing a roll to Bill. But with a
quick movement Bill caught the stran-
ger by the leg, and before a word
could be said he was lying fiat on the
ground.
"You git off that pony" said Bill,
"till this thing is settled"
There was something so terrible in
Bits manner that the man contented
himself with clustering and swearing,
while Bill, turning to Iii. said
did you sell this pinto TO him."
Hi was able 10 acknowledge that,
being offered a good price and know
ing that his partner was always ready
for deal, he had transferred the
pinto to the stranger for $40.
Bill was in distress, deep and
poignant. "'Taint the horse, but the
leetle GEL" he explained but his part
ner's bargain was his, and wrathful
as he was he refused to attempt to
break the bargain.
At this moment the Hon. Fred, not
ing the unusual excitement about the
fire. came up, followed at little dis
tance by his wife and the Duke.
Perhaps he'll SELL" he suggested,
mo" said Bill sullenly, "he's a
mean cuss."
Il know him." said the Hon. Fred
"Lct me try him" But the stranger
declared the pinto suited him down to
the ground and he wouldn't take twice
his money for him,
why" he protested. that there's
what l call an unusual boss, and down
I'm Montana for a lady he'd fetch NJ
to hundred and fifty dollars" In
vain they haggled and bargained. The
man was immovable. Eighty dollars
he wouldn't look at; hundred hardly
made him hesitate, At this point Lady
Charlotte came down into the ligh
and stood by her husband, who eX
planned the circumstances to her. Sn'
had already heard Bills description OF
Owens accident and of her part In tn,
church building schemes. There wa,
silence for few moments as she stool
looking at the beautiful pony.
What shame the poor child SHOULD
have to part with the dear little crea
ture!' she said in low tone to he
husband. Then, turning to the stran