A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
"Ladies and gentlemen," cried Hippy. "We have a noble animal for sale here. He is tame and gentle. A lady could ride him without fear. He sees equally well out of both eyes and is neither lame nor spavined. If you will just stand back a little we will let you see his paces."
The crowd drew back on either side of the lane between the rows of tents and booths and from somewhere in the back there was heard a great pawing and trampling, with cries of "Whoa, there! Whoa, there, Lightning!"
Then down the aisle there dashed the most absurd comic animal that had ever been seen in Oakdale. A dilapidated old horse, with crooked legs and sunken sides through which its ribs protruded. He had widely distended nostrils and his mouth drawn back over huge teeth. One ear lay flat, while the other stood up straight and wiggled, and his glazed eyes stared wildly. On his wobbly back sat David, dressed like a jockey and flourishing a whip.
"Gentlemen," went on Hippy, "you here behold an animal of splendid parts. He is pasture-fed and as gentle as a lamb, never kicks—"
The strange animal here kicked out one of his hind legs so wildly that David was obliged to hold on with both arms to keep from falling off.
"He has a happy, sunny nature, ladies. Is there any one present who would like to try his gait? Ten cents a ride."
The horse crossed his front legs and sat down on his haunches with an air of patient endurance. There were roars of laughter and no one enjoyed the fun more than Miss Thompson.
"I declare, Hippy, I should like to have a ride on the back of that animal!" she exclaimed, producing ten cents.
David leaped to the ground and gallantly assisted the principal to mount, while Hippy whispered something into the ear of the horse.