The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-03
EVENING STORY
A Horse Is a Horse.
By ARCHEY CAMERON NE


their faces all turned towards Marks
auction stables, and their eyes impa-
tiently fixed on a large red stand to
the left Of the open concourse. There
were those bent on grim bargaining,
and many of these were now turning
into the street from the large con-
course, to swell the larger throng OF
those gathered from mere curiosity, 10
see and not to buy.
And now the stellar attraction, a
stalwart athlete, whose muscles OF
iron were almost visible thru the blue
suit that he wore, emerged from the
stable offices, accompanied by a pur-
plish individual, whom many recog-
nized as Marks. But everyone pres
ent, doctors, lawyers. merchants and
chiefs. soldiers in uniform. and buns
without them. knew the other and
again towards the red stand.
Jack Bedford" yea, you Jack"
ooh, you big boy" and the like rang
out. as the former well-known light
weight champion OF the fisttc ring
bowed his smiling acknowledgment
he was there for. and stepped prompt
ly to the front Of the stand. while Bed
ford lightly vaulted over the side and
was immediately swallowed up in a
circle of admiring fans.
Gents y know what yer 'ere for"
ford, former champeen lightweight.
and late of Bothron's circus. has
brought his entire string of horses
here t. be sold. Not t be given away.
understand! Loosen up yer purse.
strings, gents Tear tn string off yer
rolls. an let yer biddin' be fas' and
furious. Jed. bring out No. l." Marks
gave the command over his left shout
der, and soon q hostler paraded before
the stand. leading the first of Bed
ford's magnificent stock of horses.
"One hundred" sang out a short fat
man, with a whip in his hand, as the
big bay mare again passed in front
of>the stand. and Marks glared at the
bidder scornfully,
Were not sellif the hoofs." he
parked out. This ere animal goes in
one piece. Gents. do I ere any
ataboy! Now seventy-five! R'mem-
Der, these are prime stock. not
platers."
Bedford, at the side of the stand,
disengaged himself for moment from
the recital of wrinkled old fan,
who'd seen every lick between SulIi-
van and Sharkey. yes. sir" and
stepped up to large, red-faced man
close by.
do bid 'em up now. Jim," Bedford
whispered hastily in the others ear.
But watch your stepi Get out from
under if you see the bidders weakenin'.
You know the rest"
The man nodded grim1y and went to
the front of the stand where he was
soon engaged in boosting the bid
ding"
Meanwhile, one of the hostlers,
standing at the entrance to the stables,
felt a timid touch on his sleeve, turned
with a gruff exclamation. which died
on his lips as his mouth opened slow
dof otU
miss. whose brown curls .dangled be-
cominsly under a smart little hat, and
whose saucy, bright eyes shone on him
-appealingly.
BEG pardon, miss" he said doffing
his cap. "Whatd y say?"
May go in there?" she asked, In a
low tone, at marked variance with the
shouts in the street. She pointed to
the stables. packed with. Bedford's
horses.
Sorry, miss" was the apologize
answer. Its 'gainst tn rules Buyers
wuz allowed in before the sale, but
not now. You'd get hurt. TIL
boss won't low it"
"oh, no." she spoke, up. brightly.
II wouldn't get hurt. I'm used to
horses: Besides. I know 'em all
/ every last one in there"
Then, as he wavered, she pressed a
| "clfncher" into his palm.
"r1l bet you I won't get hurt" she
| told him, with a twinkle in her eyes
/ And I'm paying my bet in advance
81 can't go in there, June" said q
slightly older girl at her side. TIN
| afraid
| promptly you wait here" And
then, holding her smiling spell" ovel
/ the hostler, she entered the stable.
! She went among the horses. pattine
| them as she moved among them, and
1 - =,
her search, she flew to the side of g
big white horse, with a black spIotct
| right over his right eye.
"Freckles.' she exclaimed. de,
/ Hghtedly. you dear old feIlow!"
/ The animal addressed looked toward
| started toward her.
Look out, miss" cried the hostler
4 warnfngly. He'll"
And then as Freckles stopped In hi
! tracks, and rubbed his head agains
/ her shoulder, the hostler looked on II
! Amusement.
''why, miss, he knows you,"
I certainly he does!" came hel
| happy answer. I'VE were chums fol
| whole year, weren't we, Freckles? p
Then she turned to the hostler. "Ar,
you going Observation-Disclosures?
/ "a horse is a horse" was the grin
answer. Sure he gets sold. II yo,
What" she cried, taken aback
/ "Out-there-in that mob"
Have to- he snapped. mo hos
| sold private t-day, miss. Y kin bid 'oi
| i'm tho"
And then, treating the matter a.
/, settled. the hostler moved away. Will,
June stood. for a moment, in indccis
| ion, then. setting her lips firmly, sh,
1 moved out among the men.
! According to promise. Freckles wa
led out before the stand and Mark
called loudly for a bid.
zone hundred" answered an oil
stableman almost at June's elbow
| and unseen by him, she darted a re
sentful glance at his back, then turne,
to her companion.
"a hundred dollars-for Freckles!'
she repeated. scornfully.
why lot? was the calm retort
Hes only horse"
.'Only a horse-Freckles? Why