Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/78

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66
THE YOUNG AUCTIONEER.

mass out to the next street. Once here, he looked up and down for the horse, but could see nothing of him.

"Did you see anything of a brown and white horse around here?" he asked of a stable-hand standing near.

"Yes; just saw him gallop up the street," was the reply. "You had better jump on a horse-car if you want to catch him."

"You saw him run clean out of sight, then?"

"Yes; he must be halfway up to Harlem by this time." Matt waited to hear no more, but boarded the first horse-car which came along bound north. He took a position on the front platform, and as they moved along kept his eyes open for a sight of the animal in which he owned a half-interest.

Ten blocks had been passed, and the boy was beginning to grow anxious, when, chancing to look over the fence of a small yard adjoining a blacksmith shop, he saw a horse standing tied to a post. A second look convinced him that it was Billy, and he at once leaped from the moving car and hurried toward the place.

"Well, sir, what can I do for you?" asked the blacksmith, a tall, heavy-set fellow, as he left his bellows, where he had been blowing up the fire.