Part 6 (1/2)

The owner smiled, but nodded to his hostler to rope and show the ani ot three ponies,to the hostler to tether theain

”What's the s Some are wind-broken, two have the disteetting it I shall be rather afraid to buy any stock of you on that account How long have they had the disease?”

”I didn't know they had it at all,” stammered the owner

”You had better watch them pretty carefully, then How old is that buckskin?”

”Just co four”

”Did somebody tell you that, or did you learn it from your own observation?” questioned Tad Butler sweetly

”I reckon I know a hoss's age when I look at his mouth,” answered the man, but not quite with the same assurance that he hadabout horses, or at least pretended to

”Then, sir, you have neglected your horse education The buckskin is twelve years old,” declared Butler fir at his etically

Suppressed grins ht have been observed on the faces of the other boys, ere still sitting on the paddock fence They were leaving allfull well that Tad's judgment was better than theirs

In turn the lad once more exah to make up their allotment

”Stacy, you are quite sure you want the black?” he questioned

The fat boy nodded

”He has a slight ringbone,” Tad informed him

”All the better”

”Why do you say that? I never knew that a ringbone increased the value of a horse”

”A horse that wears rings must be a pretty classy horse,” replied the fat boy ”Me for the horse with the jewelry Put a pair of natty boots on him and there you have an outfit that would runted Ned ”Very fancy, but not ood for real work”

”Stacy doesn't mean that,” answered Tad with a tolerant smile

”Yes, I doto the owner ”Can you tell us where we ot just the critters you want They're in the yard just back of the stables Say, Jim, drive out the mules”