The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-02-10
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famous old trotters Even now. an
Jasper walked depressed and sorrowful.
il bright smile fitted over his face as
he recalled the event. How distinctly
everything rose before his mind. The
blue sky. the golden sunshine. the tre-
mendous cheering. II a undoubtedly
been the brightest day and happiest day
of his life.
Next day Jasper handed every penny
of the prize money to Simons, but the
lattes was still dissatisfied: he de-
manded the remaining 5000 within a
week from that date.
There was no esource left Jasper but
to sell Bess.
1t seemed downright madness to pay
Simons any more money; 1t was just
like throwing it II the sea. But he
was obliged to make up his mind to it,
and went to Simon's shop at an hour
when he was sure Of finding him alone.
paid the remaining portion of his debt,
and received all papers. Hot words
led to a slight tussle, and from that day
there was the bitterest en,nity between
the two men.
Gradually the resolution to get pos
session of Ress again at any cost be-
| came fixed in his mind. After much
difficulty he found mortagagees, and
bound over his few acres of land to
them. Her present owner had many
horses and would surely be willing to
give up Bess for a reasonable price.
The day of his journey to bargain
for her return was already fixed. when
one beautiful morning. as he was in the
act of removing a few stubby gray J
hairs from his chin, he heard a familiar
,:eigh. There was nc mistake; it must
BE- Bess; that was the way she always
called her master when he went into
the stable in the morning.
Jasper threw down the razor and
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his own stable to which Simons' pas
ture extended, stood Bess, tossing her
head up and down.
While he stood there rubbing his eyes
to convince himself that he was not
dreaming, Anthony Simons, his enemy
entered the yard. bride and whip in
hand.
She belongs to me, beware!" was all
he aid
Poor Bess was roughly dragged away
to the barn, and after a time Jasper
heard the poor animal snortfng under
the blows Of Simons whip. To beat
Bess, to abuse such an animal-who
ever heard of UGH a thing?
From that day Jasper's life was UNI
1ivable. To be compelled to do without
the animal was torture enough. but to
know that it was in the hands of his
worst enemy and that he would never
get it back was far worse.
Severa weeks passed in this way.
Jasper lay stretched on the wooden
bench in front 70 his house watching
Bess with longing eyes. He was just
falling into a light slumber when an
intense desire to speak with and fondle
BeSS ONercame him.
He rose determinedly and quickly ran
down the steps. There by the corner
nights and the longing Of his days.
Bess raised her delicately formed head,
shook her flowing name and uttered
a low neigh as If calling her former
master.
Jasper went to her and patted her
neck. The animal put her ve1vety noz.A.
zle over the low fence into Jasper's'
pocket. The latter, deeply moved.
threw his arm around Bess's neck. 1t
was so long since he had caressed
her. stroked her soft skin and spoken to
her. While thus passing his hand along
denly felt the wales of Simon's lashes.
The blood surged hotly in his veins.
Miserable brute!" he muttered.
shaking his fist savagely at Sfmons'
house. my poor friend, I'll free you
forever from his whip and his cruelty"
AS IL in a dream he walked back to
the house. Entering the kitchen, he
snatched down his gun which he all
ways kept loaded. from its place on the
wall. Back again he stumbled to where
Bess stood One shot, and the noble
creature fell moaning; one sorrowful
glance from the glazed eyes, and Bess
lay lifeless behind the fence. Her as
sailant fled like a murderer.
Yes. Jasper Thurgood obeyed the
summons to the a~ssizes. and in a quiv-
ering voice he told all there was to
tell. The judge discharged him as a
much provoked man-and a humane
one.