The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-07-05

LOOK at me-" said Tunk, holding up
the lantern as he turned about. Gosh
all fishhoolSs, I'm a wreckp
whats the matterT Sidney Trove
inquired.
"All sunk in-rIght here" Tunk an
swered impressively, his hand to his
chest.
'How did 1t happenf
"Kicked by boss; that's how 1t hap
pened," was the significant answer.
Lord! I'm all shucked over to one
side. Can't ye see itT'
"a list to sta'b'rd; that's what they
call It. believe" said the teacher.
"See how limp" Tunk went on,
strlding to show his pace. "Ain't 1t
awfulT
How did that happenT
Sprung my ex," he answered, turn
ing quickly. with significant look;
thrown from sulky in boss race
an sprung my ex. Lord! Can't ye see
it?"
The teacher nodded, not knowing
quite how to take him
"Had my knee unsot, too" he went
on, lifting his knee as he turned the
light upon It. "Jes' put yer finger
there" said he indicating slight
protuberance. '"Lord, it's big as a bog
spavinp
He had planned to provoke a query.
and 1t came.
How did you get it?''
"Kicked ag'ln," said Tunk sadly.
Heavens, I've had my share o. bang
in! Can't conquer skittish boss
without sufferin' some-not allwus.
Now, here's a hoss," he added as they
walked to a stall. "He amt much T.
look at, but
He paused a moment as he neared
the horse-a white and ancient palfrey.
He stood thoughtfully on cooked an.
kles." every leg in a bandage. tail and
name braided.
"Get ap, Prince" Tunk shouted as
he gave him slap. Prince moved
aside. betraying evidence Of age and
inflrmity.
But Tunk repeated, with EN-.
phasis.
"uglyr' the teacher queried.
"Ugly!" said Tunk. as II the word
were all too feeble for the fact in hand
That's what he Isl Look out! Don't
get too nigh him! He amt no con
science. that boss aln't."
"Is he fastT'
"Greased lightnin'" said Trnk. shak
ing his head. "Won twenty-sever
races"
you're a good deal Of a horseman
I take It," said the teacher.
"Waal, some," said he, expectoratinl
thoughtfully. but don't have nc
chance here. What dye 'spect Of 0
man livin' with them OIL maidsT
He seemed to have more contemp
than his words would carry.
EVERY night they lock me upstairs,
he continued, with a look Of injury
"They amt fit fer nobody Z live with
Amt got no hoss but that dummed oil
plug"
He had forgotten his enthusiasm Of tn,
! preceding moment His intellect wal
! a museum of freaks. Therein vanit.
was the prodiglous fat man, Memor,
the dwarf and Verachy the living skel
. eton. When Vanity rose to show him
, self the others left the stage.
, Tunk's face had become suddenl.
thoughtful and morose. In truth, b,
was an arrant and amusing humbug
1t has been said that children are al
given to lying In some degree. but see
Ing the folly Of 1t In good time, II, In
deed, they are not convinced Of II
, wickedness, train tongue and feellnl
into the way of truth. The respect 70
truth that Is the beginning Of wisdom
had not come to Tunk. He continus'
. to lie with the cheerful inconslstenc.
: of a child The hero of his youth hat
|, been certain driver Of trotting horse
who had q limp and a leaning shoulder
In Tunk the limp and the leaning
: shoulder were an attainment that ha
!. come OF no sudden wrench. Such Is tn
: power Of example, he admired, the
= initiated and at last acquired then
One cannot help thinking what grace
of character and person like pei
sistency would have brought to hin
But Tunk had equipped himself wit
horsy herolsm. adorning 1t to his ow
fancy. He had never been kicked, b
had never driven race or bee
hurled from sulky at full speed
; Prince, that ancient palfrey. was tn
J. most harmless of all creatures an
would long since have been put out 9
o misery but for the tender considers
y ton Of his owners. And Tunk-wel
they used to say of him that II he ha
10 been truthfulhe couldn't have been aliv'
"Some time" Trove thought, his TO
ly may bring confusion upon wis
n heads"