The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-03-15


clerkship in a wholesale house on Cen
tral wharf, and plodded along the road
that leads to success, living on trifie
and making a weekly deposit in the
savings bank. Elias Sharp was in the
employ Of grocer in North Market
street. His name belied his character
for, though he thought himself the
"smartest fellow in all creation" the
fact is, that his paternal parent sent
him to Boston. because, as he stated
to his wife. ELIAS was so alfred
green that he was afeared, if the grass
run short the cattle'd eat him." He
was always getting into scrapes and
trusting to Blivins to pull him through,
though whenever he was cornered in
consequence of his own laundering, he
always protested:
II done it for the best-I done It for
the best"
The young man boarded at cheap
but respectable lodging house in Han
over street.
One winter a genuine old-fashioned
New England snowstorm, lasting for
two days, cleared off, leaving splendid
sleighing, and. of course, all the Bos-
tonians went mad. as they always do
with the first snow. 1t Is their carni-
val. Nothing was talked or thought
pf but sleighing. Tom Blivins was
unaffected by the mania, but Elias
Sharp caught the infection, and it
"struck innards to his gizzard," as he
phrased it.
"Tom," said he. one morning to his
roommate. Il can't stand it no longer
Everybody's on the road. Get a half
holiday, and jine me in sleighride." I"
TITS too expensive" replied the
ever.prudent Blivins.
you're alters throwinn' cold water
onto feller's aspirations" rejoined
Elias. II tell yer 1t tain't no such
thing. | know a feller in Portland
street-Nathan Parker-thatll let me
hev a horse and sleigh for the arter-
noon to go to Brighton for flve dollars
that's only two and half apiece.
IT'S cheaper than stayin' to hum.
Now's your chance. Speak quick or
you'll lose it. Two and half-and a
half-and half-quick, or you'll lose
-going-going."
"Yes-Tm going" said Blivins, Sc
duced by the economy of the project.
Bully for you, old boy!" said Elias.
"I've bespoke the team already. You
get leave of old Gubbins & Chaff-
Mean G. Mixem say they'll let me off
and iine me at Parker's stable, Port
land street-at sharp two-don't for
get"
"Ill -e there"
At half-past one, such was his impa-
hence, Elias was on the spot, attired
In heavy ulster, foxslSin cap, buck
mittens and a flaming necktie, con-
vinced that his appearance was not
only stunning, but killing.
Fetch out your sleigh and your
kier," he called out, with as much dig
nifty as Richard No. said: Saddle
White Surrey for the field tomorrow"
The sleigh and robes were passable,
but when Elias looked on the fiery, un-
tanned steed" his countenance became
elongated. We shall have to take a
liberty when we quote Byron:
\ bring forth the horse-the horse was
brought,
In truth he wasn't a noble steed."
OF, at least. he was only one of the
might have beens," which Whittier
tells US are very sad things in the
lives Of men.
Remove that ere animal and fetch
On another horse" shouted Elias.
Alas! the cry was as useless as that
Of Richard No. on Bosworth field.
"I can't fetch on no other horse, be-
cause" remarked the one.eyed hostler,
logically but ungrammatically, there
amt no other horse in the stable.
What's the matter with this un? Look
ut his p'ints."
II see 'em too darned WELL" an
swered Elias. ruefully. He didn't
know much, but raised in New Hamp-
shire, he couldn't help knowing
horse. 'T can't help sein' his pints,
my respectable friend, for they stick
out all over him. He's mere rack O.
bones. Where l came from they used
that style of animal for crow-bait'
"Oh, SIR" said the hostler. "You
don't know what's into him. He's
rum un to look it-that l admit-but
good un to go. Only wake him up"
"Well-give me good, big. long
carver to wake him up with" said
Elias, making up his mind to Hobson's
choice.
"Ah, sir" said the hostler, as he was
harnessing the beast. this 'ere's the
most val'able horse in our stable. Old
as he is, he's fit to run for mans life.
II they had him over in England and
trained him he'd be first favorite for
the Derby and Oaks, carrying weight
Tor age"
Doubted" was Mr.. Sharp's laconic
comment
When Blivins made his appearance,
ELIAS had got over his disappointment,
and called out cheerfully:
"All aboard! Jump in, Tom-dont
keep the horse fretting. Gimme the
lines, there! Let go his head! All
right-now for it."
II Ill x.f