The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-09-28

amt what you'd call fancy looking
now. is sheT'
''She is not" said Jacob seriously.
but always liked Daisy. and when
she was q colt Uncle Willie promised
II he ever sold her TO anybody bed
give me first chance on her. | waited
twelve years for her. ani when was
sick he"-
81 expect he thought you wasn't go
ing to get any better" remarked Lo-
reno well. It's all done and gone.
Jacob, and the mare is mine If you
wanter pay fifty for her. why
FIFTY" beloved Jacob angrily.
slipping over into his own yard. az
guess you've got mixed In your mind
between horsehesh thirty years old
and cold storage beef" And he dis
appeared In the darkening twilight to
sputter bis wrath to the patient ears
of Lizzie
The next morning at 10 o'clock he
faced triumphant Lorenzo across
the barnyard fence We'll. you're too
late now. even II you've a mind to give
fifty" remarked Mr.. Nettle.
what do you mean1 You amt new
er sold Daisy challenged Jacob.
That's It"
"Who tor asked Jacob owlishly.
1.-THE minister over to Elmvtlle. He
saw her yesterday. and he sent word
by Dan last night he'd take her He's
giving fifty for her. Seems to know
what he's about too"
Seems to me II was going to sting
q minister on horse deal wouldn't
take so much from him." declared ia.
cob. crimson with anger and con-
tempt
Lorenzo flushed You're mad be
cause you amt got the price to buy
her yourself"
81 am mad because you won't sell
for what she Is worth. The least you
can do to make things right for that
minister. Lorenzo Nettle. is to fx that
horse up so she'll look respectable for
a minister to drive behind"
What would you dor" demanded
Lorenzo. opening the stable door and
leading forth the object of discussion.
Jacob surveyed his lost opportunity
with tender eyes. I'D begin by giving
her good scrubbing with warm wa
ter and yaller soap and rinse her good
till she was white as when Uncle
Willie used to drive her. Then I'd
soak her name IN warm water and
comb out all the burs and tangles till
1t was white and fluffy. and I'd braid
q blue ribbon In her forelock. I'd rub
her down till she shined like satin.
and I'd cut her fetlocks and trim her
hoofs and oil 'em. and I'd have her
new shod, and then I'd rub her down
good with llniment to take some or
the kink outer her muscles. With her
tail waving like a white plume she'd
look like one of them old battle
chargers. eh?"
"By all your talk reckon she would.
s'pose might as well do 1t, though
agreed Lorenzo as a sop to his rather
burdened conscience.
Late that afternoon a rejuvenated
Dnisy, as white as the simple flower
for which she was named. was turned
into the daisy grown meadow to caper
awkwardly about on her singularly
trim feet. The blue ribbon dangled
above her astonished good eye and
gave her a decidedly rakish appear
ance, but with her knees hidden In the
clover and daisies she looked very
handsome as she moved slowly to and
fro, nipping daintily with her worn
teeth and soft white nose. Jacob
Keene stood afar and looked on her
snow white form with tears in his
eyes and was not ashamed. To him
she was the one horse he had always
desired, and now she would never be
his.
That night at II O'Clock he was called
forth by the excited hired man to Lo
renzo Nettle's barnyard. whats the
natter" he demanded anxiously.
"She's Dead" snapped Lorenzo.
THAT horse Is dead That comes of
washing her and'-
"I've done that lots of times, BAR.
Nettle." protested his hired man, "only
I guess you let her outdoors too soon"
"And she hasn't been paid foS." went
on Lorenzo bitterly. y expect can
sell her to the soap factory for nve"-
~Il give you seventeen" said Jacob
quickly.
"Weil. OF all the-I1l take 1t, cash
now said Lorenxo, and there fol-
lowed a brief transaction that made
Jacob Keene the owner Of the long
coveted horse. only now she was white
and stiff. Jacob said be would bury
Daisy in q corner of his meadow where
hts favorite dog was inferred, and II
was a silent procession headed by the
brown mare which dragged the blan-
ket on which reposed the stiff form
of Daisy.
The first thrust Of sharp spade in
the moonlighted turf OF the meadow
happened to glance sharply across
Daisy's flank. and 10 the horror Of the
onlooker she kicked mildly, relaxed her
stiffened muscles, shtvered and slowly
scra mbled to her feet
mot dead but sleeping quoted
Dan Harmon under his breath as the
disconnected Lorenzo turned sharply
about and went back to bed. while ia
cob Keene. with III concealed delight,
carefully led his long waited for pet
into the comfortable stall.