“No; but I 'll split the difference,” said Mr. Newby: “I 'll give you fifteen hundred for him if he is as good as I think him when I look him over. What 's his name?”

“Jefferson Davis.”

“Oh, the devil! I 'll change his name pretty quickly.”

“No, you won't,” said the boy.

“Won't I? I 'll show you when I get him,” he muttered. “Well, what do you say?”

“Will you promise not to change his name?”

The other laughed.

“Not much! When I buy him he 's my horse.”

“He 'll never be your horse.”

“What?”