The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-18
THAT SKINNER BOY.
He Watches a Horse and the Boys As
sist Him.


Humpy Skinner was going to the
hardware store the other morning
after a paper Of carpet tacks when 4
man, driving one-horse wagon, stop
ped at the curb. and said:
'See here, bub, if you'll mind my
horse fer a few minutes while I get
shave and q hair cut. III give you
nickel"
81 will sir was the reply.
II don't want no fooling around,
mind you. You Just attend to the
horse and keep out of the wagon
Humpy herofcally replied that he
would guard the horse with his life,
and the man put the end of the hitch
ing-strap into his hand and went his
way 1t was not more than three
minutes later when four or five boys
OF Humpy's acquaintance came along
They were on their way to see a goat
belonging to one Of them and SINCE his
whislEers with candle to make them
grow longer and thicker.
What you doin p asked one of
them, as the crowd halted.
y 'Watchin' a horse replied Humpy
Where's the oWner2"
"Gone to get shaved"
How much you gofns to get2"
90 A. nickel - .s easi9A 4
That settled it. The goats whis-
kers could wait. They had waited for
four years, and they could wait year
longer.
This is a proud day for you. Humpy
Skinner" said the biggest boy, as he
looked at the horse watcher in a. spirit
of envy.
"Oh! I've watched horses before. +
once watched horse who had kicked
a COW to death. Another one had been
bit by mad dog and had a game leg
on him"
"Phew! I don't believe Christopher
Columbus ever had any such adven-
lures as that. Humpy, you are goin'
to be great man when you grow up.
] don't believe it'll be a year before you
VIII dare to throw stones at aspolfce-
man Can I smooth the horses rose -
IT wouldn't try it if Z was YOU re-
piled Humpy, as he grew more impor-
tant- IF he didn't like the smell of
your hand he'd rear up and run away.
] don't want three or four persons
killed around here, YOU know
mo, that's 50. There hain't many
boys as thoughtful as you are, Humpy.
Do you think this horse is what they
call an Arab steed2"
"Of course. Cant you see it stick
out all over him2 Look at that eye
TITS got a tear IA it,
"Wen. don't all Arab steeds have
tears in their eyes2 That's the way to
do you think this Arab steed ever
went bounding over the desert ?''
queried boy number two.
For sure, Jimmy There isn't the
slightest doubt in my Tnihd that he
used to career and career. Why, you
can see sand in his feet now. I'm
tellin' all you boys that it's an awful
responsibility TO be put in charge Of
an Arab steed."
s'I led a goat one time" put in boy
mum Der three. as he crowded forward
to get a share Of the glory.
Humpy looked down upon him in
lofty contempt. but one of the others
boxed his ears and warned him to keep
quiet or take the consequences. All
stood back and looked at the horse in
a sort Of awe for two or three minutes,
y, and then Jimmy said:
eve had all about Pliny in our
school lesson the other day but it
didn't say that he ever watched a
careering Arab steed. That means
that Hump Skinner is a bigger man
than Pliny was If he keeps on this
way, where is he COINS to end up?"
This was q poser, and the boys were
rneditating over it when a policeman
came sauntering along. and halted to
ask:
ssWhat are you boys up to now?''
''Watc1.lu' this Arab steed while the
man has gone to get shaved answer
ed Humpy for the crowd.
Arab cow you mean. He'll be in
the boneyard in month from now
The officer gave the horse q poke
In the ribs with his club and passed
on. and a moment or two later butch
or boy with basket on his arm halted
Now, then, who's went and gone and
harnessed up this old skin-and-bones,
and what's he dom here2"
He's a-mindin' OF his business re-
rlled Humpy, whose feelings were hurt
By reference to the appearance Of the
equine.
ION, he is. Is he? Well mebbe he is
fiist this minute. but he wasn't an hour
ago. He was Up by our shop, and then
he made up faces at me and stuck out
his chin. I told him I'd slap his chops
some day, and now I'm goin' to do it.
Take that. you old skeleton, your
The butcher boy Jumped in and gave
the horse a slap across the nose, cuffed
two Of the boys. and then picked up his
basket and hurried on. He left a great
state Of indignation behind him, and as
soon as he could get his breath Humpy
explained
~ didn't want to 90 to the gallus FOR
srfllin' q boy, and that's the only rea-
aen didn't break the cubs neck"
sSgnazen the Arab steed had breathed