46 WINTER SKETCHES. 



'em smokin' into the stable, harness up the 

 fresh 'uns, and have 'em all ready for a new- 

 start. Joe, he allers 'sisted on my holdin' on 

 to the nigh leader till he got up and took the 

 lines. I can see him now and hear him holler, 

 * Let 'em go, boy ! ' And away they went, 

 down the hill, extries after 'em — Joe, he allers 

 took the lead cause he car'd the mail — all in a 

 cloud of dust. Ah, them was the times — 

 times as was times. Damn the railroads! I 

 say. Well, you better go into the house, and 

 Miss Dexter'U git you some supper. Supper's 

 a'most ready, and I'll be in as soon as I've 

 bedded down your hoss." 



A cheery light was gleaming from the 

 kitchen and bar-room windows as I entered the 

 door of the latter apartment, on w^hich the 

 black-painted letters indicating its specialty, 

 were still distinctly legible. I was cordially 

 welcomed, although the same surprise was 

 manifested that I was not in charge of a drove 

 of cattle on my way to Brighton. '' Has boy 

 Andrew taken care of your horse ? " asked the 

 landlord. 



"' I turned her over to an old man in the 

 barn," I answered. 



'' Oh, well," he said, " that's all right ; that 



