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Authors: Walter Farley
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alone. I plan to go from town to town and from county to county throughout the country teaching my methods and soliciting the aid of my pupils in going forth in turn and helping others.”
He stopped as a sharp stab of pain creased his stomach. It went away quickly and he continued. “What I have learned is, I believe, very important. It is worthy of your interest and study. I will teach you three methods by which you can control the most vicious and obstinate horses. They are simple in themselves but you must learn to use them with care and skill.”
He stopped while another pain gripped his insides. It was several minutes before he could go on.
“You must learn which of my methods to use and this depends on the temperament of the horse. For example, if you should tell me what bad faults your horse has, I can, except in rare instances, tell you his color, size, the kind of head and general character he has. Then I select the best method suited to cure his faults. What has to be remembered is that what works on one horse may not work on another.”
The cramps filled his stomach and once more he had to pause a long while before continuing.
“The horses I treat here in this ring will be brought under control within a very few minutes. Most of them, however, will not be completely cured. Only by repeating my treatment at home can success be assured. These horses then are merely for the purpose of exhibition—”
Someone shouted, “We’ve heard enough, Professor, and we think we know something about this matter of horse taming. Maybe we know more than you can tell us. Mr. Miller’s got a horse here. Now if you can ride or drive him, as you say you can, you’ll convince us that you can beat any man in the country at taming horses.”
Bill Dailey answered, “Have the horse brought out then and I’ll settle the matter very quickly.”
A groom, followed by an elderly, well-dressed man who was apparently Mr. Miller, led a gray horse into the ring. The animal was as ugly as any horse Bill had ever seen, besides being large-boned and very strong. There was no doubt in Bill’s mind that the horse would put up a furious fight regardless of all restraint. It would be a dangerous case to handle in a crowded building such as this, and yet he had no alternative but to go on. He watched the horse kick and jump, pulling on the long lead rope that his groom held expertly but cautiously.
Bill Dailey had started walking toward the horse when the attack of prolonged stomach cramps bent him double. He knew then that the matter of holding a contest with Mr. Miller’s horse had been taken out of his hands. When he could straighten up everyone was looking at him expectantly. The huge arena was still except for the furious lashing of the gray horse’s legs.
Bill faced the audience with great effort. “I am sorry but I cannot attempt to manage this horse now,” he apologized. “I am sick and it would be verydangerous for all of us. Your money will be refunded. If you will come back tomorrow …”
There were loud hoots and catcalls from the crowd, and one man’s voice rose above all others. “You thought you could pull the wool over our eyes, didn’t you, Professor! No wonder you’re sick. It’s the sight of that there horse.”
Bill Dailey’s face turned pale, more from pain than from the harsh calls of criticism. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.
The gray horse was rushing about the ring, jumping and kicking and altogether giving his groom plenty of trouble.
Hank was suddenly at his brother’s side. “Don’t listen to them, Bill. You did right. I’ll get you to a doctor.”
“No, you stay here with Finn. Make sure he returns their money, every penny of it.”
After Bill Dailey had gone, Finn Caspersen took the center of the ring. “Now, gentlemen,” he said in his most professional manner, holding his hands in the air, “there’s no need to hurry. As the Professor said, your money will be returned. Please
He stopped as a sharp stab of pain creased his stomach. It went away quickly and he continued. “What I have learned is, I believe, very important. It is worthy of your interest and study. I will teach you three methods by which you can control the most vicious and obstinate horses. They are simple in themselves but you must learn to use them with care and skill.”
He stopped while another pain gripped his insides. It was several minutes before he could go on.
“You must learn which of my methods to use and this depends on the temperament of the horse. For example, if you should tell me what bad faults your horse has, I can, except in rare instances, tell you his color, size, the kind of head and general character he has. Then I select the best method suited to cure his faults. What has to be remembered is that what works on one horse may not work on another.”
The cramps filled his stomach and once more he had to pause a long while before continuing.
“The horses I treat here in this ring will be brought under control within a very few minutes. Most of them, however, will not be completely cured. Only by repeating my treatment at home can success be assured. These horses then are merely for the purpose of exhibition—”
Someone shouted, “We’ve heard enough, Professor, and we think we know something about this matter of horse taming. Maybe we know more than you can tell us. Mr. Miller’s got a horse here. Now if you can ride or drive him, as you say you can, you’ll convince us that you can beat any man in the country at taming horses.”
Bill Dailey answered, “Have the horse brought out then and I’ll settle the matter very quickly.”
A groom, followed by an elderly, well-dressed man who was apparently Mr. Miller, led a gray horse into the ring. The animal was as ugly as any horse Bill had ever seen, besides being large-boned and very strong. There was no doubt in Bill’s mind that the horse would put up a furious fight regardless of all restraint. It would be a dangerous case to handle in a crowded building such as this, and yet he had no alternative but to go on. He watched the horse kick and jump, pulling on the long lead rope that his groom held expertly but cautiously.
Bill Dailey had started walking toward the horse when the attack of prolonged stomach cramps bent him double. He knew then that the matter of holding a contest with Mr. Miller’s horse had been taken out of his hands. When he could straighten up everyone was looking at him expectantly. The huge arena was still except for the furious lashing of the gray horse’s legs.
Bill faced the audience with great effort. “I am sorry but I cannot attempt to manage this horse now,” he apologized. “I am sick and it would be verydangerous for all of us. Your money will be refunded. If you will come back tomorrow …”
There were loud hoots and catcalls from the crowd, and one man’s voice rose above all others. “You thought you could pull the wool over our eyes, didn’t you, Professor! No wonder you’re sick. It’s the sight of that there horse.”
Bill Dailey’s face turned pale, more from pain than from the harsh calls of criticism. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.
The gray horse was rushing about the ring, jumping and kicking and altogether giving his groom plenty of trouble.
Hank was suddenly at his brother’s side. “Don’t listen to them, Bill. You did right. I’ll get you to a doctor.”
“No, you stay here with Finn. Make sure he returns their money, every penny of it.”
After Bill Dailey had gone, Finn Caspersen took the center of the ring. “Now, gentlemen,” he said in his most professional manner, holding his hands in the air, “there’s no need to hurry. As the Professor said, your money will be returned. Please
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