THE ACCOUNT BALANCED. 353 



"Done," said I, "and we can change them right 

 here if you say the word." 



We changed, my horse to all appearances not 

 being in the kicking humor at that moment. As he 

 took up the reins to drive away he turned half around 

 in his seat and, with a fox-in-the-hole smile, asked me 

 if there was anything wrong with the horse. 



"Well, now," said I, as I climbed into the seat, "if 

 you will ask the barn man at the first hotel down the 

 road, he will tell you all about that horse," and with 

 a good morning, I drove on. The following day, on 

 the down trip, I learned that the barn man had given 

 him due warning by telling him that the handsome 

 off horse would kick his hat off if he did not look out. 

 He tried him good and plenty and found it was only 

 too true, and as he did not have enough work or 

 patience to get along with him, I sent a man over and 

 bought him back for $40. The next time I met my 

 friend with an eye for a horse and church matters, the 

 kicker was in his place on the off side. He did not 

 offer to pull up or even return my salute when I 

 tipped my hat to him. 



