Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-26

block behind him He turned abruptly
and was lost in the crowd.
Ben found me huddled into the corner
of my beautiful carriage. amid the ruins
of my castle in the air Gravely he heard
me through. Ben was too old in matters
equine: ma. been educated too literally
in the intricacies of the horse trade 10
pass such warning by. Might as well
drive around to- the Doctors" was his
verdict.
The doctor. we learned with dismay,
had gone to a famous health resort
would no. be back for six weeks. His
man had heard of the runaway, but
couldn't identify the horse. Mrs. Bedford
we found at home in communicative
mood.
.Yes.m, that's the very horse. Lord.
how he did rear up, and prance round,
and paw the air. Mr.. Newport, he'd been
here the day before-he told us how it'd
be, but Sam-thats my husband-Sam
just laughed. Tell you, when that horse
commenced to cut up, Sam laughed out
the other side of his mouth, and hustled
back to Mr. Lyons stable. Mr.. Newport,
sold that horse heaps UE times, but it's
always the same story-they have to take
him back. Sam was glad enough to get
rid of him for 500
Fifty dollars How much had you
paid for ilim?'
''Seventy-five."
You -et them beat you out of $3.50
A light was dawning over me. I had
paid $50 for Richard Occur de Lion.
Then his value varied with the worldly
status of the buyer.
'.Oh, you see, Mr.. Newport he said
twas like selling him to some one else,
and we ought to be glad to get that much
for a runaway.
Now. what Id like to know" said,
when Ben and 1 went on our way once
more. is what position in this affair Mr..
Newport occupies"
The boy grinned shrewdly. Near as |
can figure it out" lie explained, Mr..
Newport is what is known to the profess
sion as the 'capper, while your friend,
Mr.. Young, is the barker
81
Surely you don't suspect Mr.. Young"
! exclaimed in horror. The plot was
thickening with a vengeance.
You just see if he offers to refund the
twenty-five. that's ALL answered the
worldly wise one.
Well. we mustn't let all this spoil our
drive. since it may be the last l ever take
behind my beautiful Occur de Lion Now
that | was likely TO lose him. the great
horse seemed very near TO me.
He threatened TO be even nearer a few
moments later l was in deathly terror
lest he back over the dashboard into my
lap. Starting though the yellow car
before us were some hideous, undreamed-
of thing. Richard. the lamb-lke, the easy
going, reared high in the air and waltzed
along after a fashion better suited to the
sawdust arena than a crowded street
Ben rose also. He gripped the lines,
and the way he laid on with my ivory
handled whip would have called out the
humane society in full force. 1t subdued
the Lon-H earted. He resumed his nor
NAL attitude. Bent himself nearly double
to gaze back upon us with eyes wherein
surprise and injured dignity were plainly
evident He tried the experiment again
that afternoon. Bens remedy effected a
change of heart each time.
''All you want is good strong hand
He'd soon learn who's boss the boy as
sured me.
Thank you, but / haven't time to culti-
waite strong hand / replied, as 1 alight-
ed before my door. 1 couldn't resist
going forward to pet the great head bent
so meekly. and / mourned as for one al
ready lost:
oh Richard. Richard, so you're like
al. the rest of the world. You have to he
true TO your own nature, even if it is =
runaway horses. / had hoped to max
you so happy. too, and be so happy nv
self. And now I'm TO be little lone
woman. just l was before you came
Sometimes it's hard to be lone woman.
Richard. though | wouldn't tell any one
bit YOU
These thoughts were in my mind next
morning when Mr.. Dung came TO tell me
II at il didn't want Dick he would send
some one from the stables directly. Re-
Wondering Ben's words, i listened for
some mention of the So. When I heard
none. another fragment Of my faith in
mankind crumbled off.
From my window l could watch Richa rd
daintily grazing in my tiny back yard,
with Doc, the old negro / had hired to
care for him, standing near was
thinking how empty that yard would
seem without the graceful yellow form
moving here and there, when a sharp
knocking at my front door took me quick
ly toward it. There stood a man who
carried the stamp of Ould Ireland on his,
broad face and dilGpidated straw hat in
one hand.
Good mornin'. a'am.' said this in
dividual. politely. Il hear you don't like
your horse"
Il DON'T l said. briefly. resenting his
sravity.
Now, what's the matter wild him? Me
names Murphy. ma'am. Timothy Muir
ply I'm partner of MI. Lyons. The
horse belonged TO ne. an I know he's a
good horse.
Well, Mr.. Murphy" l said. Il bought
the horse through Mr.. Young from Mr..
Lyon, hHt IL he was your horse, l might
as welf'hesotiate with You. You refund
me my money, take your horse and end
the matter
''Oh. of course. il you amt satisfied,