Bill Barlow's Budget

STEALING A HORSE
A Bold Afghan Robber Who Had Sense of Humor.

An East Indian officer, writing of life in Peshawur in the early seventies of the last century, relates the following:

The medical officer of my regiment was informed one night that a valuable and favorite Arab steed of his had been stolen. Over the border, gone forever, he never expected to see his horse again, but next day, much to his surprise, there came to him a bearded ruffian riding bare backed the stolen steed.

He confessed that he had taken the animal, but, learning that it was the property of a hakim (physician), had brought it back. The horse had been tethered in line with others, with men, women and children sleeping in the open about them.

"How did you manage it?" asked the doctor.

"If the sahib will give the necessary order," he said, "I will show him."

The entire scene was reproduced, even to the night watchman asleep in a corner. Noiselessly the Afghan crawled toward the Arab, treading snakelike through the prostrate forms to where it was standing at the end of the row. Softly hissing to attract the animal's attention without causing alarm, he gently raised himself with arm extended.

In his open palm were some lumps of goor (native sugar), beloved of horses, and while the Arab was enjoying these the man was caressing him with the other hand, whence suspended a watering bridle taken from his wallet. Quickly this was adjusted, and then, stroking soothingly, the robber passed his hand over the animal's back and down the hind quarters. Swiftly the heel ropes were unhitched, then the head gear released, and with a bound he was astride and away, his right hand backward flung, shouting triumphantly as he passed, "Thus was it done!"

The joke was that he never came back! A double restitution would have been too much of a wrench.