A Knight of the Nineteenth Century | Page 5

never be even
a true gentleman," responded the clergyman somewhat warmly.
Haldane had caught a shocked and warning look from his mother, and
so did not reply. He saw that he was "in for it," as he would express
himself, and surmised that the less he said the sooner the ordeal would
be over. He therefore took refuge in a silence that was both sullen and
resentful. He was too young and uncurbed to maintain a cold and
impassive face, and his dark eyes occasionally shot vindictive gleams
at both his mother and her ally, who had so unexpectedly caged him
against his will. Fortunately the doctor was content, after he had got
under way, to talk at, instead of to, his listener, and thus was saved the
mortification of asking questions of one who would not have answered.
After the last sonorous period had been rounded, the youth arose,
bowed stiffly, and withdrew, but with a heart overflowing with a

malicious desire to retaliate. At the angle of the house stood the
clergyman's steady-going mare, and his low, old-fashioned buggy. It
was but the work of a moment to slip part of the shuck of a
horse-chestnut, with its sharp spines, under the collar, so that when the
traces drew upon it the spines would be driven into the poor beast's
neck. Then, going down to the main street of the town, through which
he knew the doctor must pass on his way home, he took his post of
observation.

CHAPTER II
BOTH APOLOGIZE
Haldane's hopes were realized beyond his anticipations, for the doctor's
old mare--at first surprised and restless from the wounds made by the
sharp spines--speedily became indignant and fractious, and at last, half
frantic with pain, started on a gallop down the street, setting all the
town agog with excitement and alarm.
With grim satisfaction Haldane saw the doctor's immaculate silk hat fly
into the mud, his wig, blown comically awry, fall over his eyes, and his
spectacles joggle down until they sat astride the tip of a rather
prominent nose.
Having had his revenge he at once relented, and rushing out in advance
of some others who were coming to the rescue, he caught the poor
beast, and stopped her so suddenly that the doctor was nearly
precipitated over the dashboard. Then, pretending to examine the
harness to see that nothing was broken, he quietly removed the cause of
irritation, and the naturally sedate beast at once became far more
composed than her master, for, as a bystander remarked, the venerable
doctor was "dreadfully shuck up." It was quite in keeping with
Haldane's disingenuous nature to accept the old gentleman's profuse
thanks for the rescue. The impulse to carry his mischief still further was
at once acted upon, and he offered to see the doctor safely home.

His services were eagerly accepted, for the poor man was much too
unnerved to take the reins again, though, had he known it, the mare
would now have gone to the parsonage quietly, and of her own accord.
The doctor was gradually righted up and composed. His wig, which
had covered his left eye, was arranged decorously in its proper place,
and the gold-rimmed spectacles pressed back so that the good man
could beam mildly and gratefully upon his supposed preserver. The
clerical hat, however, had lost its character beyond recovery, and
though its owner was obliged to wear it home, it must be confessed that
it did not at all comport with the doctor's dignity and calling.
Young Haldane took the reins with a great show of solicitude and
vigilance, appearing to dread another display of viciousness from the
mare, that was now most sheeplike in her docility; and thus, with his
confiding victim, he jogged along through the crowded street, the
object of general approval and outspoken commendation.
"My dear young friend," began the doctor fervently, "I feel that you
have already repaid me amply for my labors in your behalf."
"Thank you," said Haldane demurely; "I think we are getting even."
"This has been a very mysterious affair," continued the doctor musingly;
"surely 'a horse is a vain thing for safety.' One is almost tempted to
believe that demoniacal possession is not wholly a thing of the past.
Indeed, I could not think of anything else while Dolly was acting so
viciously and unaccountably."
"I agree with you," responded Haldane gravely, "she certainly did come
down the street like the devil."
The doctor was a little shocked at this putting of his thoughts into plain
English, for it sounded somewhat profanely. But he was in no mood to
find fault with his companion, and they got on very well together to the
end of their brief journey. The young scapegrace was glad, indeed, that
it was