Welsh Journals

An' is she a good worker, Boswell ? Boswell pointed towards a farmer in the crowd. Hodges there, we'll go try her in his farm-he hasn't finished ploughing before t'horse fair The farmer coloured guiltily as the farmers around him roared with laughter. 'Twas their proud boast that they had finished their ploughing before the annual fair. And Noah doubled with laughter. The gurgling cackle in his throat fairly shrieked to be released. His laughter was infectious. Fury giggled with good humour. Try t'grey in the phæton, mister." A confederate son in the crowd called out. Yes." Noah nodded unconcernedly towards the groom. He had anticipated such a situation, deftly he backed the grey into the shafts pointing down hill. A collar was drawn over the fine head. The pad was buckled by willing hands in record time. Someone put the bridle on. Another fixed the iron monkey with traces attached in position. An' phwats yet lowest notch, Boswell ? Ye heard, mister. Ye heard." Will fifty-eight tempt ye, Boswell ? Shaking his head firmly, Noah grasped the bridle to lead the grey, with the Irishman watching his face now instead of the horse. He was blind to the son's actions. He had released the handbrake, and had given a quick shove that moved the phæton forward. It forced the grey on With the traces slack the grey went downhill. The son followed with the roan. Everybody stopped before the entrance to the marquee. Come on, me friend, Boswell, knock her down," and, extending a fat palm uppermost. As Noah shook his head, and started to turn the grey's head away Well Noah stopped. Now, Boswell ye don't know more than I do. Will ye meet me then, Boswell ? Since 'tis ye that's having the pride of me heart, mister, I will." The palm of his right hand smote the extended Irishman's palm with a resounding smack. Both entered the marquee, Noah patting his red kerchief, and Fury drawing our his cheque book. The crowd that had followed, loitered to watch Noah's son freeing the grey. He placed the harness on the roan. The crowd helped him to back the roan into the shafts, and fix her. The gypsy turned the roan's face uphill to draw the borrowed phaeton back, the grey tied behind, looking grand!