He presently came upon Elbridge, chief of the equine
department, and driver of the family-coach.
"Good mornin', Abe," said Elbridge. "What's fetched y' daown here so
all-fired airly?"
"You're a darned pooty lot daown here, you be!"
Abel answered. "Better keep your Portagees t' home nex' time, ketchin'
folks 'ith slippernooses raoun' their necks, 'n' kerryin' knives 'n their
boots!"
"What 'r' you jawin' abaout?" Elbridge said, looking up to see if he was
in earnest, and what he meant.
"Jawin' abaout? You'll find aout'z soon 'z y' go into that 'ere stable
o' yourn! Y' won't curry that 'ere long-tailed black hoss no more; 'n'
y' won't set y'r eyes on the fellah that rid him, ag'in, in a hurry!"
Elbridge walked straight to the stable, without saying a word, found the
door unlocked, and went in.
"Th' critter's gone, sure enough!" he said. "Glad on 't! The darndest,
kickin'est, bitin'est beast th't ever I see, 'r ever wan' t' see ag'in!
Good reddance! Don' wan' no snappin'-turkles in my stable! Whar's the
man gone th't brought the critter?"
"Whar he's gone? Guess y' better go 'n ask my ol man; he kerried him off
lass' night; 'n' when he comes back, mebbe he 'll tell ye whar he's gone
tew!"
By this time Elbridge had found out that Abel was in earnest, and had
something to tell.
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