"
"Then what good is the pony?" demanded Fred in exasperation.
"Well, the hide ought to fetch three dollars, and there are a
good many pounds of soap fat in him," replied Flannery slowly.
"And is that all the good there is in this pony?" cried Ripley.
He felt like screaming.
"It's all the good I can see in him, sir," replied Flannery.
"Then I won't take this pony," young Ripley declared, flushing
hotly. "It's a downright swindle. Here, my man, hand my money
back and take your old soap box."
"Not to-day," declared the auctioneer briefly. He and his clerk
were now preparing to depart.
"You'd better!" warned Fred.
"I won't."
"Then I'll have you arrested."
"Try it."
"Run and get a policeman," Fred ordered, turning to a crowd of
small boys.
"All right," smiled the auctioneer. "If you'll be quick about
it I'll wait for your policeman."
But Mr. Dodge, who had shaken his head toward three boys who had
shown signs of being willing to run for a policeman, now led young
Ripley to one side.
"No use making any fuss about it, I'm afraid, Fred. You saw the
pony when it was offered for sale, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't ask to have him run? You didn't demand the privilege
of trying him yourself?"
"No, sir."
"What representations did the auctioneer make about the pony?"
pressed Mr. Dodge.
"Why, he said the pony was a fine-looking animal-----"
"And that's no lie," responded Mr.
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