TEMPERING THE WIND. 319 



horse was going down hill like a barley fed horse pre- 

 pared for an army contractor. Finally, taking the 

 bit in his teeth, Peter Pointdexter started for Windsor 

 and drove into "Hen" Capen's yard. The pro- 

 prietor of the establishment was at home and in the 

 best of humor. Smiles and sunshine seemed to flutter 

 about his head as Peter Pointdexter pulled up, and the 

 warmth with which he shook the worthy merchant's 

 hand would make you think he was a long-lost 

 brother. 



After a little sparring Peter blurted out that he 

 had come over to trade the horse he had off him, as 

 after a trial he found that he did not suit him, because 

 he would not stand without hitching, was afraid of 

 the steam cars, and all that sort of thing. Of course, 

 he added that if it were not for these little shortcom- 

 ings he would never part with him, and, strange to 

 say, "Hen" agreed with him. As they stood there 

 talking a man drove into the yard behind a big bay 

 horse which had been clipped. His mane was 

 "hogged," or, in other words, removed, while his tail 

 was also cut square off at the end of the dock. This 

 horse was unhitched and led into the stable. Peter 

 Pointdexter looked at him and "Hen" could see he 

 liked him. That was one trick for "Hen." When 

 they began to talk business, "Hen" asked Peter how 

 the clipped horse would suit him. "Well, he didn't 

 just know," but they talked and talked, and finally 

 Peter swung around to him. "Hen" said that he 

 would trade for $50, and they traded. Peter Point- 

 dexted drove home congratulating himself, while 

 "Hen" walked across the street and had a drink. 



