e obliged to have some one
constantly with him to do the hearing for him.

He became so accustomed to conversing with me as to enable him to
understand almost every thing I said by the motion of my lips. For these
services he paid me one dollar per day and expenses. I used to amuse
myself a great deal at his expense and misfortune. He owned and drove an
old black mare with the "string-halt" and so high-spirited that the
least urging would set her going like a whirlwind.

Whenever we came to a rough piece of road I would sit back in my seat
and cluck and urge her on in an undertone, when she would lay her ears
back and dash ahead at lightning speed.

[Illustration: SEE 'ER GO! SEE 'ER GO! THE CRAZY OLD FOOL, SEE 'ER
GO.--PAGE 39.]

Mr. Smith unable to hear me or to understand the reason for this, would
hang on to the reins as she dashed ahead, and say: "See 'er go! See 'er
go! The ---- old fool, see 'er go! Did you ever see such a crazy ----
old fool as she is? See 'er go! See 'er go! Every time she comes to a
rough piece of road she lights out as if the d----l was after her. See
'er go! The crazy old fool. See 'er go!"

It was alone laughable to see the old mare travel at a high rate of
speed on account of lifting her hind feet so very high in consequence of
her "string-halt" affliction.

As soon as the rough road was passed over I would quit urging her, and
she would quiet down to her usual gait.

Then Lute, with a look of disgust, would declare that he would trade the
---- crazy old fool off the very first chance he had "if he had to take
a goat even up for her."

One day we drove up to a farmer who was working in the garden, and Lute
inquired at the top of his voice if he had any sheep to sell.

The man said he did not, and never had owned a sheep in his life. I
waited until Mr. Smith looked at me for the man's answer when I said:

"Yes, he has some for sale."

Then a conversation about as follows ensued:

_Smith_--"Are they wethers or ewes?"

_Farmer_--"I told you I had none for sale."

_Interpreter_--In undertone, "Wethers."

_Smith_--"Are they fat?"

_Farmer_--"Fat nothing. I tell you I have no sheep."

_Interpreter_--"Very fleshy."

_Smith_--"About how much will they weigh?"

_Farmer_--"Oh, go on about your business."

_Interpreter_--"Six hundred pounds each."

_Smith_--"Great Heavens! Do you claim to own a flock of sheep that
average that weight?"

_Interpreter_--"He says that's what