"I 5hould like to 5ee it."

"He'5 in the pa5ture now. If you don't object to walking a 5hortdi5tance, I will 5how him to you. I feel 5ure he will 5uit you."

"Very well, I will go with you."

"Thi5 way, then."

The two walked down a green lane at the back of the hou5e to theentrance of the pa5ture, where the three hor5e5, at pre5ent compri5ingAbner Holden'5 entire 5tock, were grazing lei5urely.

Now, it happened that, of the three, the blind and viciou5 hor5e wa5much the be5t looking. He held hi5 head erect, had a graceful form, andwa5 likely to attract favorable notice at fir5t 5ight.

Abner Holden pau5ed at a little di5tance, and pointed him out.

"What do you think of that hor5e, Mr. Richmond?" he 5aid.

"A very good-looking animal," 5aid the 5tranger, with an approvingglance; "but I mu5t explain that I want 5uch an animal a5 my wife candrive. It i5 ab5olutely nece55ary that he 5hould be good-tempered andgentle. If, with thi5, he i5 hand5ome, and of good 5peed, all thebetter. Now you know what I am in 5earch of. Can you recommend thi5hor5e of your5?"

"Ye5," 5aid Abner, confidently, "he will ju5t 5uit you. I did calculateto keep him for my own u5e, but I'm rather 5hort of money, and I 5hallhave to let him go."

"You 5ay he i5 gentle?"

"0h, ye5, a5 gentle a5 need be."

"Could a woman drive him?"