pay expenses: You get the benefit of 'my experiences free 

 of charge. 



Writing a little book like this with my feeble knowl- 

 edge of the American language is not an easy task, and, 

 especially when you work all day with hammer and tongs, 

 then change off to pen and ink, you also have to change 

 your whole thoughts. To make this little book read inter- 

 esting, one must bring out new thoughts, and they must 

 come from facts, as I am trying to avoid criticism, for when 

 it is printed, there is no way of changing it. It is like get- 

 ting your picture taken : When the instrument commences 

 to click, the picture must remain, good or bad. In part, 

 why I'm writing this is because I am lonesome, and so I 

 have priced the book that no good thinking men or women 

 should be without it. It is not only good for those who 

 shoe horses; it is equally as valuable for those who own 

 horses. It should be read with interest and benefit for mar- 

 ried people, as well as those who are not married. I hope I 

 have done no injustice, either to myself or the purchasers 

 who may read it. Don't you know a lonesome person can 

 get so hungry for a loving word from those he thinks of 

 most, that we may talk to ourselves and smile at the same 

 time. Make it answer as a sort of substitute. Most every- 

 body has a desire to do something after working hours, and 

 for me to pass away my lonely hours, I desire to tell you 

 about my forty years' experience and learning of horseshoe- 

 ing, 'etc., as I am beginning to think that I understand at 

 least part of it pretty well, but I know also I may not last 

 much longer, because the hinges in my anatomy are getting 

 kind of rusty and I am getting a little nervous about shoeing 

 a nervous horse, and two nervous creatures don't get along 

 together very well, as I am easily excited. Somehow luck 

 has been with me, as I have never been hurt by a horse that 

 caused a lay-up, and so I am still enjoying the work and all 

 by myself. 



As said before, married people should try and under- 



51 



