Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1905-02-09
BUYING A HORSE


ant-faced woman who was watching the
animals at a horse sale the other day
We'll, | don't want a real young
horse" said she. II want one that isn't
afraid Of the cars and that won't run
away, and that will stand without
hitching."
The auctioneer promised to look out
for her, and hustled away. As he did
SO, a well set-up, neatly dressed man
stepped forward and said: Pardon
me, madam, but are you looking for
horse?"
Mrs. Jones repeated the information
that she had just given to the auc-
tioneer
Yes, I've come to buy one myself,
because the last time we invested in
a horse my husband did the buying.
and he was cheated fearfully. So |
thought Id take matters into my own
hands this time
Mrs. Jones ratified along easily, be-
cause the mans honest face and SYM
! pathetic manner invited confidence.
! do you live far from here?'
20, about 40 miles. The hired man
and | came in on the electric car.
| There's James over there said she,
| pointing him out. "He thought | was
foolish to come to the city-said I'd
| be bunCoed; but | told him | wasn't
afraid of that. I've seen too much OF
human nature, and can always read
mans character In his face"
Yes, so can l." said the man, its
an easy thing to do-at times. think
can read your character perfectly;
and, by the way, this barn isn't nice
place for q lady. Just step outside,
Mrs. -"
Jones"
You'd better stick to the auctioneer.
whispered James, as they followed the
man into the street; they say he won't
warrant a horse that isn't all right,
and you know nuthing about this fell
ler."
No attention was paid to this remark.
I'D like very much to help you out,
said the stranger, "and have friend
that has just exactly the kind of q
horse you want, only the trouble is,
don't know where TO find him"
He had no more than finished the
remark than a surprised look came
over his face. why! what luck!" said
he, there's Thompson right now! Mrs
Jones, let me introduce Mr.. Thomp-
SON"
Nov, here is the horse" continued
the stranger, as he pointed to a large
animal hitched to a small buggy. You
see he Is big and strong and as hes
hitched up, if you'll get in, we'll just
take little drive" and with that he
helped Mrs. Jones into the buggy. al
most before she realized what she was
doing. The stranger kept up a stream OF
talk, but Mrs. Jones edged in the qucs-
ton as to why he kept the whip con-
tiIelally over the horse.
20, I've just got in a sort Of habit
Of holding the whip out over the horse,
and l don't think anything about it," he
explained. you see the horse isn't
afraid of anything, and is q splendid
goer. Thompson paid Sl2O for it last
spring,
How much does he want Tor it?"
well, he'll sell the whole thing conf
plete-harness, buggy and all for $50.
but, of course, you wouldn't pay him
that much"
How much would you pay for it,"
asked Mrs. Jones, confidentially.
well, between you and me, I'd offer
him about $40, and then come up. say TO
SGj. The buggy amt worth much but,
as you see, the horse is q winner"
A few moments later the money was
paid over, though the hired man insisted
that he never before had heard of buy
Ing a horse with harness and fly net on.
Then Mrs. Jones thanked the stranger
protusely, for so kindly helping her out.
20, that's nothing at all!' he insisted.
I'm always delighted to assist LADY,"
James, the man, was told to drive the
horse back to the farm, while Mrs.
Jones returned by the electric car.
Thirteen hours after they bad started
from the city, James and the horse
turned up at the farm. Mrs. Jones saw
them coming and flew to the door 10
welcome "Maude S." as she had named
him, but moment after she was ring
ing the telephone for the doctor, who
arrived half an hour later.
How old do you think he is, doctor?"
was the first agitated question.
20, about 23-can't tell exactly. He's
got the worst case of heaves ever
saw!"
"Heayes!" cried Mrs. Jones. why,
We just shot Nell yesterday because she
was so old and had the heaves!'
Il know it, and it's too bad Nell was
young and healthy alongside of this ami
NAL. He's been doped, you see. I'm
afraid you've been buncoed, Mrs,
Jones!"
"Buncoed!"
YES; you see, he's hide bound, too;
you couldn't fatten him to save your
life"
That's what comes Of buying a horse
with harness and fly net on" NUT
tered James,
but what can do with HING" walled
Mrs. Jones.
The veterinary gave one sweeping
glance at the horse and burst out into
a gOod-natured laugh.
WELL" said he, the horse is blind
l. one eye, deaf as post, and as near
as can make out he's a cross bneed
He has two big humps on his back and
! Legs like n cnmpI If hn u,os y,,ip., ia