asked the old gentleman , with an approving nod to Mrs. Moss as she finished , and such a keen glance from under his bushy brows that Ben felt as if he was perfectly transparent . '' ` Most any thing , sir , to get my livin ' . '' `` Can you weed ? '' `` Never did , but I can learn , sir . '' `` Pull up all the beets and leave the pigweed , hey ? Can you pick strawberries ? '' `` Never tried any thing but eatin ' 'em , sir , '' `` Not likely to forget that part of the job . Can you ride a horse to plow ? '' `` Guess I could , sir ! '' -- and Ben 's eyes began to sparkle , for he dearly loved the noble animals who had been his dearest friends lately . `` No antics allowed . My horse is a fine fellow , and I 'm very particular about him . '' The Squire spoke soberly , but there was a twinkle in his eye , and Mrs. Moss tried not to smile ; for the Squire 's horse was a joke all over the town , being about twenty years old , and having a peculiar gait of his own , lifting his fore-feet very high , with a great show of speed , though never going out of a jog-trot . The boys used to say he galloped before and walked behind , and made all sorts of fun of the big , Roman-nosed beast , who allowed no liberties to be taken with him . `` I 'm too fond of horses to hurt 'em , Sir . As for ridin ' , I ai n't afraid of any thing on four legs . The King of Morocco used to kick and bite like fun , but I could manage him first-rate . '' `` Then you 'd be able to drive cows to pasture , perhaps ? '' `` I 've drove elephants and camels , ostriches and grizzly bears , and mules , and six yellow ponies all to oncet . May be I could manage cows if I tried hard , '' answered Ben , endeavoring to be meek and respectful when scorn filled his soul at the idea of not being able to drive a cow .
The XXXXX liked him all the better for the droll mixture of indignation and amusement betrayed by the fire in his eyes and the sly smile round his lips ; and being rather tickled by Ben 's list of animals , he answered gravely , -- `` Do n't raise elephants and camels much round here .
Ben Moss Squire eatin jog-trot livin old ostriches pigweed ridin