Part 24 (1/2)
”My wife,” I said, ”set her heart on having a side-saddle, as she is very fond of riding; so, having business which tookwith it on a led horse-- to get so soe a tipsy person, who happened to be there, ian to explode soate that several of them broke loose and escaped My wife's horse with the side-saddle on hi my own horse, I started in pursuit, but failed to overtake the runaway Finally it joined a herd ofht of them in the darkness”
”If your wife resembles mine in disposition, friend,” said he, with a so that runaway animal with the side-saddle to the end of the world”
”I can say this,” I returned gravely, ”without a side-saddle, good or bad, I a at every house on my way to the Lomas de Rocha till I can hear of one for sale”
”What will you give for one?” said he, beco interested
”That will depend on its condition If it is as good as neill give the amount it cost and two dollars profit besides”
”I know of a side-saddle that cost ten dollars a year ago, but it has never been used It belongs to a neighbour three leagues from here, and she would sell it, I believe”
”Show o directly and offer twelve dollars for it”
”You speak of Dona Petrona's side-saddle, Antonio?” said the little wife ”She would sell it for what it cost--perhaps for eight dollars
Ah, pumpkin-head, why did you not think to ht slippers and a thousand things”
”You are never satisfied, Cleta,” he returned ”Have you not got slippers to your feet?”
She tossed up a pretty foot and displayed it cased in rather a shabby little slipper Then, with a laugh, she kicked it off towards him
”There,” she exclai precious! And sorand before all the toear it on your great toe”
”Who expects reason fro his shoulders
”Reason! you have no ht have made this profit, but you never can make money like other men, and therefore you will always be poorer than the spiders I have said this before very often, and only hope you will not forget it, for in future I intend to speak of other things”
”Where would I have got the ten dollars to pay Petrona for the saddle?”
he retorted, losing his temper
”My friend,” I said, ”if the saddle can be had, it is only just that you should have the profit Take ten dollars, and if you buy it for reatly, while Cleta, the volatile, clapped her hands with delight While Antonio prepared to go to his neighbour's after the saddle I went out to a solitary thorn-tree about fifty yards fro my _poncho_ in the shade, lay down to sleep the siesta
Before the shepherd had been long gone I heard a great noise in the house, like banging on doors and on copper vessels, but took no notice, supposing it to proceed froed in soth I heard a voice calling toup, I went to the kitchen, but no person was there Suddenly a loud knock was given on the door co with the second room
”Oh, my friend,” cried Cleta's voice behind it, ”my ruffian of a husband has locked me in--can you let me out, do you think?”
”Why has he locked you in?” I asked
”The question! Because he is a brute, of course He always does it when he goes out Is it not horrible?”
”It only sho fond he is of you,” I returned
”Are you so atrocious as to defend hiht you had a heart--so handsome, too! When I saw you I said, Ah, had I married this ood opinion,” I said ”I am very sorry you are locked in, because it preventsyour pretty face”
”Oh, you think it pretty? Then you _must_ let me out I have put up my hair now, and look prettier than when you saw me”