Part 8 (1/2)
The stable was di storht The box stall to which Lad was led was al closed Still, it was shelter
Leaving the Master and the Mistress to consign Lad to his new quarters, the boy scuttled of to a harness-roo hih a volley of inquiries ”I done it, all right, all right, Mr Highaht no about those two soft dollars? Hey?”
”You earned 'eha, sonny I'e bowl in which he had beenthe contents of three or four bottles And the boy saw his fingers were fiery red
”What's the h excitehaht red This is crimson Re his prize white leghorns in crimson dye, just before the Madison Square Garden Poultry Show? Well, this is the same stuff”
”Do I rein', for fair
Couldn't get it off, to save him It stayed, that color, on 'em, till they'd shed the last one of last year's crop of feathers Sure, I reit a dollar for holdin' 'em for you? And another dollar for keepin' my mouth shut? But what are you lottin' to do with the stuff, this tiham ”No chickens here Hold on, a second!”
He stood,to play a lone hand, on this,” he said, presently ”I didn't even dare let Rice in on it He'd be dead-sure to tell that gabby girl he's going to et all over the country in a week And that'd loseto play it alone That's why I left Rice and Willett to put up the dogs for me But,--I'm blest if I kno I' as an ox You--you're a good, close-tongued kid, Harry You kept your mouth shut about Price's chickens Could you keep it shut,--for another dollar,--about this? If you'll do that, and lend me a hand--How about it?”
”What's the ued by the beauty of the dye on Higha with e tone ”I'll help out, all right Only,--”
”Here's the notion,” said Higha out of momentary self-communion ”And if you ever spill it, your mail will be sent to you at the hosp't'l, for a spell You saw that big dark sable collie I had you steer into Stall Five? It cost et Abrams to let me have the use of that stall The idea come to me, in a jolt, first crack of thunder I heard Well, I' and the mucker ns hi for a chance to square things, ever since I've seen 'em at shows and I've asked folks about 'e than he'd set by most humans He's pleased as Punch, every tihborhood shows Well, that dog ain't going to be fit to go to another show, for a year He ain't going to be fit to look at, for that long He's going to be a laughing stock His owners won't brag any h to keep hi eyes, chanced to shi+ft his gaze to the big bowl of new-ht broke on him
”You--you're aimin' to soak him with that stuff?” he whispered, in awe at such coham ”I don't knohat color the crimson stuff will turn the dark part of his coat But whatever color it is, it'll be as funny as a box of three-tailed snakes I've put a glass of ammonia into the dye, to make it 'set' quicker It--”
”Gee, but you're a wonder!” sighed the worshi+ping boy ”D'ye s'pose I'll ever git to be as smart as you are?”
”It all depends on how you hain with I--”
”But--”
Higha to put over his head when I open the stall door
That'll put hi business, till it's peeled away fro But he'll likely wriggle, a lot And I'll need you to sit on his head Likewise to carry this bowl and the sponge, while I' over his head Are you game?”
”I sure a, then The stuff's ready; and we don't want to waste any time Go ahead and see if there's anyone in that end of the stable”
Two looh the roar of the stor over the bowl and sponge to his assistant, Higha with a drawstring at its neck Then, he opened the door of the box stall, a few inches and stared in
By straining his eyes, he could just see the vague outline of the big collie The dog arose from a bundle of straw, stretched hiravely forward to welco his loneliness He was barely visible, in the diha over the beautiful silken head, as the collie stepped nant and struggling dog to the floor, and bade the boy co of another hour, the rain ceased; and a glory of afternoon sunlight bathed the freshened world At about the sae arrived at the clubhouse Word was sent forth that all dogs were to be returned to their benches and that the judging of the collies and of certain other breeds would begin at once
There was a general hustle and confusion, as exhibitors led forth their dogs fro brush and chalk and towel in frantic haste
Higham su forth the Lochaber dogs Instead of helping theham himself ran to the top of the clubhouse steps, from which he could survey not only the benches but also the stables and the lawn between