Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-09
gR!EGJB JOWMWA AL
A VII IIIt N'OVI . To 1JCN
THE HORSE-sWAP.

During the session of the Supreme Court,
in the village of -, about three weeks ago,
when number of people were collected in the
principal street of the village, | observed a
Young man riding up and down the street, as
| supposed, in a violent passion. He gaIlop-
ed this way, then that, and then the other
spurred his horse to one group of citizens,
then TO another then dashed off at half speed,
as if fleeing from danger; and, suddenly check
ing his horse, returned first in pace, then in
a trot, and then in a canter While he was
performing these various evolutOns, he cursed,
swOrc, whooped, screamed, and tossed himself
in every attitude which man could assume on
horseback. In short, he cGUorted most mag
unanimously "a term which, in Our tongue, cX-
presses all that have described, and a little
more,) and seemed to be setting all creation
at defiance AS like to see all that is pass
ing, determined to take a position 4 little
nearer to him, and to ascertain, if possible,
what it was that affected him so sensibly.-
Accordingly, approached a crowd before
which he had stopped for a moment, and ex-
amned it with the strctest scrutiny. But
could see nothing in it that seemed to have
anything to do with the cavOrter. Every
man appeared to be in good humor, and all
fninding their own business Not one SO
much as noticed the principal figure. Still be
went on. After a semicolon pause, which
my appearance seemed to produce for he eyed
me closely as | approaChed), he fetched a
whoop, and sworc that Z" he could out-swap
any live man, woman, or child that ever walk
ed these hills, or that ever stcaddled horsefesh
since the days OF old daddy Adam Stran-
ger" said he to me, " did you ever see the
TQIlOC Blossom from Jasper"
NO." said |, "but have often heard OF
him"
I'm the boy continued he; "perhaps q
jcetlc, list Lee'le, of the best man at horse
swap that ever trod shoe leather"
began to feel my situation a little awk.
ward, when ] was relieved by a man some
what advanced in years, who stepped up and
began to survey the " YaUolC Blossoms
horse with much apparent interest. This
drew the riders attention, and he turned the
conversation from me to the stranger
Well, my old coQn," said he, " do yor
want to swap hosseSY'
Why, don't know" replied the stranger
believe Eve got beast I'd trade with you
for that one, if you like him."
We'll, fetch up your nag, nv old cock
you're jist the lark wanted to get hold OF.
am perhaps a leetle, jst leetle, of the best
man at a horse-swap that ever stole cracklins
out of his mammy's fat gourd. Where's your
hoSs?'
"Fll bring him presently; but l want tc
examine your horse little"
"Oh look at him." said the Blossom, a
lighting and hitting him cut; g look at him
He's the best piece of hosshesh in the thlrteer
united universal worlds There's no sort o
mistake In little Bullet He can pick up mile
on his feet, and fling 'em behind him as tas
as the next mans boss, don't care where h
comes FROM And he can keep at it as Ions
as the sun can shine without resting
During this harangue, little Bullet looked
as if he understood it ALL believed it, and wa:
ready at any moment to verify it. He was {
horse of goodIy countenance, rather express
i've of vigilance than fire; though an unnatur-
al appearance of ferceness was thrown into i
by the loss of his ears, which had been crop.
ped pretty close to his head. Nature had
done but little for Bullets head and neck but
ne managed, in great measure, to hide theil