Horse Tradin' by Ben K. Green Page B

that month than I had made in other ways all year.
    Colonel Bob excused himself and retired early that evening. I was sitting on a long sofa with Baby Belle curled up to my side in front of that fireplace. MammaBelle was sitting over in a great big chair next to the corner of the fireplace. “Ben,” she said, “I have a problem I would like to discuss with you.”
    I couldn’t imagine her having any problems, but I said: “I’d just be glad to help you if it is something that I would know about.”
    â€œYou would certainly know about it. I live in constant feah that the Rebel Commandah is going to hurt Daddy Bob. I was wondering, as a favor to me, would you try to buy the Rebel Commandah and load him with your hosses and take him back to Texas?”
    I said: “Why, that would be doing me a favor—not you.”
    â€œDaddy Bob is not going to want to sell the Rebel Commandah. It may take more money to buy him than he will ever bring you in Texas. I was wondering if you would go ahead and try to buy him, and let me give you the difference in money.”
    I said: “Oh, I doubt if that will be necessary. Let me ask Colonel Bob tomorrow what he will take for the Rebel Commander.”
    â€œPlease don’t let him know,” she said, “that I’ve asked you to buy him, because then he wouldn’t sell him at all. And we do want to get rid of that hoss before he hurts Daddy Bob.”
    I said: “He is beautifully mannered and well behaved. I don’t see how he would hurt Colonel Bob—and he seems to get a great pleasure out of driving him.”
    â€œI know, but at Daddy Bob’s age there is danger in his driving such a spirited hoss.”
    Baby Belle hadn’t entered into this conversation, and she didn’t say anything after Mamma Belle quit talking.But Mamma Belle said: “Well, find out in the morning if you can buy the horse from Daddy Bob, then tell me what he says.”
    She excused herself and went on off to bed. Baby Belle and I sat by the fire and talked and told each other about our plans. She was going to that girls’ finishing school, and I was going back to Texas, but she would write me. And I told her I never did answer anybody’s letters—but I might hers.
    She said: “You mean you might?”
    I said: “Well, you can try me and see.” And after while it was late, and I went back to the hotel.
    Early next morning I went by to see Colonel Bob. He was out at the barn, and the Rebel Commander was in a dark stall in the corner. Of course I knew that you kept a black horse in a dark stall to keep his hair good. I knew that was all right, and I didn’t ask him to get the horse out. I just stepped in the stall and walked around the horse a little bit. He was very nice and quiet and gentle—and I spoke to him and put my hand on his neck and rubbed him a little and walked out. Then I said: “Colonel Bob, I have traded for some saddle mares to take back to Texas, but I don’t have that driving horse I wanted. I just wondered if you could be persuaded to part with the Rebel Commander?”
    â€œOh,” he said, “Ben, I’d hesitate to part with him. After all, he’s just an eight-year-old hoss, a nice drivin’ hoss, and probably the last great hoss I’ll ever own. It grieves me to think that I should sell him. Howevah, I would rather sell him to you and let him go out West where I won’t see him again than sell him heah in town.”
    I said: “Colonel, I can appreciate that. I don’t knowwhat he might cost, but if he is not beyond my means I’ll try to buy the horse.”
    â€œWell, Ben, with all the quality and breeding and speed of the Rebel Commandah, I wouldn’t think of taking less than five hundred for him.”
    I said: “Colonel, I am sure he is worth that, but I don’t know whether or not I have a customer who would give that for