The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-06-29
CHAPTER NNII.
TIE PINTO SOLD.

Il following the performance OF
kETSS,SNI their generous act prepared
49, The men for Il kcencr enjoy
mcnt than usual OF II nights sport.
They had Just begun to dispose them
selves in groups about the fire for poker
and other games when Hi rode up into
the light ana with him IL stranger OH
Owens beautiful pinto pony.
Iii WAS evidently half drunk, and,
uS nc swung himself off his bronco,
lie saiutrd the company with n wave
OF the hand and hoped he saw them
"ktckin'."
Bill, looking curiouSly at HI, went
up 10 the pinto, and, taking him by the
head. led him mp into the light, saying:
"Scc hero, boys, there's that pinto Of
mine was tcllin' you about. No flies
on him, ch?"
"TIold ON there. Excuse me-" said
the stranger, "tils here boss belongs
to me, If paid down money means any
thing In this country
1.-The country's all right" said Bill
in an ominously quiet voice, but this
here pinto's another transaction, I
reckon"
loNS 10 ihiiI', Il say, uIh WIN .
more, I'm goin' To hold him." said the
stranger in II loud voice.
The men began to crowd around with
faces growing hard. 1t was dangerous
In ihat country to play fast and loose
with horses.
Look a-llyar, mates" said the Stran-
ger, with Il Yankee drawl. az amt no
boss thief. and if / hain't bought this
boss rcg'lar and paid down good mon
ey then II ain't mine; If / have, 1t Is.
That's fair, amt itY'
At this Hi pulled himself together
and in Il half drunken tone declared
that the stranger was all right and
that he had bought the horse fair and
square. and "thcrc's your dust" said
Hi, handing u roll TO Bill. but with II
quick movement Bill caught the Stran-
ger by the leg. ana before II word
could he said he was lying fiat on tho
ground.
"Iou git Off that pony" said Bill,
"till this thing is settled"
There was something so terrible in
Bits manner thai the man contcntcd
himself with clustering and swearing,
while Bill, turning to Iii, said:
did YOU sell this pinto to him!
Iii was able to acknowledge that,
being offered n good price and know
ing that his partner was always ready
for IL deal, he had transferred the
pinto to the stranger for $40.
Bill was in distress, deep and
poignant. ""rain't the horse, but the
leetlc gel" he explained; but his part
nous. Ian ..,y,t, x-na lt, a,I f,,y
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 n little dis
lance by his wife and the Duke.
Perhaps he'll SELL" he suggested.
"No," said Bill sullcnly, "hc's n
mean cuss."
al know him" said the Hon. Fred.
Lei 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" lie protested, chat there's
what | call an unusual boss, and down
In Montana for n lady he'd fetch up
to n hundred and fifty dollars" In
'"'' '''s htSbItN " a. lSdihc
man was immovublc. Eighty dollars
he wouldn't look at; a hundred hardly
made him hesitate. At this point Lady
Charlotte came down into the light
and stood by her husband, who ex-
planned the circumstances to her. She
had already heard Bits description Of
Owens accident and of her part I'm he
church building schemes. There was
silence for Il few moments as she stood
looking Mt the beautiful pony.
What Il shame the poor child should
have TO part with the dear little crea-
turc!' she said in II low tone to her
husband. Then, turning to the stran-
ser, she said I'm clear, sweet tones:
What do you ask for himi" He
hcsitatcd and then said, lifting his hat
awkwnrdly in salute, II was Just re-
marhIn' how that pinto would fetch
500 down into Montana; but, secin' as
a lady is inquirin', I'll put him down to
$12J."
"fco much," she said promptly; FAR
too lHnch. is IL not. BIZ"
We'll" drawlcd Bill, IF 'twere e
fe!iNr IS was used TO ladies' he'd offer
. son thg I.a,c, hrt lies Too pizen mean
- 1900 {