TRICKY HOUNDS




Ben Cartwright stood fuming at the bottom of the steps.  "One, two,
three.  How on earth did you two end up with three hounds?"

His two youngest sons stood behind him nervously playing with their
hats.

Joe's voice cracked a bit when he went to answer.  "Well, Pa, we can
explain.  Can't we, Hoss?"
Joe elbowed his brother once in the ribs.

Hoss rubbed his side.  "Sure, sure we can, Pa." He then looked at
Joe for some help.  Not finding any he started to speak once
again.  "Well. . .ummmm. . .it's like this, sir. 
We. . .ummm. . .traded for `em."

"You what!!" Ben shouted.  "What on earth did you trade for three
hounds?  Not only that why do you want three hounds?"

Joe piped up once again.  "Well, Pa, they said they could do tricks
and stuff.  We are goin' to train `em and then we can sell `em to
the circus."

"What kind of tricks, Joseph?" Ben asked as he took a step closer.

Hoss glanced at Joe as he moved closer to the three dogs on the
steps.  "Well, Pa, I reckon we forgot to ask?"

"Forgot to ask!!" Ben voice bounced off the rafters of the large
oversized room. 

"Pa, Pa, calm down." Joe waved his arms in front of his
father.  "These are special dogs.  The man said they were trick-a-
dummy hounds."

Ben frowned at the name.  "Trick-a-dummy hounds?" He asked.  "Well
indeed they did that."

"What are ya talkin' `bout, Pa.  That's what they called `em." Hoss
scratched his head.

"Uh huh.  What did you trade for them?" Ben asked.

Joe shuffled his feet.  "Ummm. . .just one of the horses."

With a raised eyebrow Ben continued to probe.  "One of the horses?
Which horse?"

"Ahhh. . . Pa, does it really matter.  I mean we are gonna train `em
we will get are money back."  Hoss scuffed his boot on the floor.

Ben closed his eyes as he shoved his hat on his head.  Turning he
left his two sons standing behind.  "Get rid of them and NOW!! 
Trick-a-dummy hounds–who's ever heard of such a thing. I think we
know who the dummies are in the house."

Finally the thought clicked with them.  Joe started saying the name
over and over in his head.  "Trick-a-dummy, trick-a-dummy, trick-a-
dummy, trick a dummy.  Trick a dummy!!! Hoss, I think we have been
had!!"  Joe then shoved his hat on his head and headed for the door.

"No, little brother, we have been hound!!" Hoss then began to
shuffle the three dogs out the front door.  "Trick a dummy!!  Well
that we are brother."

The End
GAIL G.

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