CHAPTER X.
PUTTING UP A BIG SCHEME "Your uncle will be at his regular stand to-night, won't he ?" queried Dick Prescott.
"I expect so," Mart agreed.

"What's the matter?
Do you want to go along with us?
I guess Uncle Billy would be willing." At this moment Dick heard a group of younger boys laughing as they strolled along the street.
Following their glances, Dick saw in the street what is commonly known in small towns as the "hoss wagon"-- -a vehicle built for the purpose of removing dead horses.
"There goes Fred Ripley's bargain!" chuckled one of the boys.
At that moment Fred Ripley himself turned the corner into Main Street.
"And there's Rip himself," laughed another boy.

"Hey, Rip! How's horse flesh ?" But Fred, flushing angrily, hurried along.

"What's up ?" asked young Prescott as the group of boys came along.
"Haven't you heard about Fred's pony ?" asked one of the crowd.
"I know he bought a pony," Dick answered.
"Yes; but Squire Ripley had a veterinary go down to the Ripley stable this afternoon, and look the pony over," volunteered the ready informant.

"Vet said that the pony would be worth a dollar or two for his hide, but wouldn't be worth anything alive.