The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-10
The Yankee Horse Jockey.


II the reader will glance at the map OF
the river St. Lawrence, near lake Ontario,
he will observe Long Island opposite to
this, on the Canada side, is situated the city
Of Kington, a place Of some tiote, and at one
time the seat of government Of the province.
On the American side the pretty little vii
lage Of Cape Vincent is beautifully situated,
commanding a fine view Of ths river. In
the winter season, Jack Frost, aided by the
thermometer at 25 degrees below zero, con-
structs in few nights bridge between the
two places, which win put TO shame all the
efforts Of the architect. Ia the cold season
the bridge once constructed Frequently, ,re-
mains in good condition for four or i've
months. During this time great deal of
and Canadian shores; not merely for plea
sure, hut q brisk business 10 carried on be.
tween the two countries.
In the winter Of lS4S, keen Yankee,
who was looked upon BY his neighbois as
traders, that Sam Slick occupied among the
the profession-might have been seen with
cigar in his mouth and his hands in his
pockets, nj the bar-roGn of the little coun-
try inn at Cape Vincent. ...
"Well, Deacon" exclaimed a gentleman
to our Yankee friend, "you understand me
now run no risks with the officers don't
sell for less than thousand dollars; and to
be at home by Saturday night"
"Wel, reckon" was the reply.
II may be proper to state that the Deacon
was about TO start to Kingston with an un-
commonly fine pair of horses, that city af-
fording q much better market than could be
found at home. The deacon, or Jack Spald-
ing, to use his real name, was in the habit
of taking over horses to sell during the win
ter months, by which he turned pretty
penny. This was all very proper but
Jack had another habit not so cOmmenda-
ble he generally forgot to pny the duties
required by law at the Custom House for
the benefit Of her most gracious Majesty,
Victoria. II Jack forgot at the time he fre-
quently made his boast afterwards, that he
was one too many for the officers.
But TO return 10 our story. Spalding
reached Kingston early in the evening, and
put up his horses in a stable, short dis
tance from the town, and after taking care
Of them, was about leaving the stable, when
a gentleman approached and spoke to him
about the horses, which he appeared to adj
mire very much. This gentleman soon won
Jacks heart by welI.timed abuse of the
Custom House officers and Custom House
laws, when turning to 60 he asked Jack in
a careless tone what he would sell his hor-
ses for; our Yankee friend, completely
thrown off his guard, replied that $500
was the figure. a.. .r.f t .r.
"That is all )" coolly replied the gentle
man in black (hirnseIf Custom House Of
feer,) "you need give yourself no trouble
about your team, will take charge of il 10
the name of the Government
Had thunderbOlt struck The poor man,
he could not have been more overcome; af-
ter recovering himself little he exclaimed
''thunderation," and walked off with a
downcast look, and not very pleasant tenn
per towards a neighboring bar room here
he encountered an old acquaintance, 10
whom he related his misfortune, and bitter
ly cursed his folly and imprudence. -
"Why, don't you see old lawyer Cheat
um, a countryman Of yourn, real old fox?
faint no use tho, for you are regular beat
this time, better make the best Of il, and
come and take something to drink; here my
pretty Maggy," he exclaimed, turning TO
the bar-rnaid, "two brandy smashers.''-
Spaldiog's weakness for liquor would not
allow him to refuse, besides he said TO him
self, sit will keep up my splrits," for he
was much in the same condition that Jonah
found himself when in the great fish, that is
to say, ''down in the mouth, and ready to
blubbef." .... .......... -.
We next find our hero in lawyer Cheat
um's office, having just finished his story,
while that profound individual looked as
grave and digniied as Judge. 81 can't
say anything about il, short of ten dollars in
ADVANCE" said the disinterested Iawy
"Ten dollars in odvance 7" repeated the
Yankee-"whya good aynaster pays when
the work is done" "Very WELL" replied
the lawyer, 81 don't wish to have anything
to do with your affairs, and will therefore
wish you very good evening"" "Not 40
fast my good man, here are your ten dollars,
now for your advice" The lawyer took
the money, counted il, and placed it in his
pocket hook; meanwhile Jack felt that he
had done very foolish thing, but there was
no help for it now. -...,
"If you are the cute chap took you for"
begun the lawyer, "you would he allie to
run the officers If you had a fair start with
your horses" ~ i
"But how the devil am l to get a fair
start, with the horses under lock and key
and what is more, to be sold tomorrow
morning!" 1 :. ia b.H
"Don't interrupt me, - said Cheatum, SHAT
is what was coming at; Disguise yourself
as jockey, appear at the sale, aud ask to
try the horses once with the ribbons in your
hands you must look out for yourself, and
he off to the other side. Atwelve mile race
rather a pretty affair than otherwise
Think will BE- on hand myself in the NOR
ming to see the fun" .a"s fa '5''
At the appointed hour for the sale, q
large collection Of people might have been
seen near the hay scales, officers of the
army, officers of the customs, blacklegs and
other gentlemen were in attendance.
Friend Cheatum was on the ground in
good scason, and looked around in vain for
the Yankee not seeing him, Chestum tho't
his heart had failed him, and that be would
not come. But as the auctioneer comc,en-
ced the sale, a jolly looking. red faced man,
with black whiskers, red jacket, yellow cap,
and as unlike our Yankee friend as well
could be, made his appearance, and looked
at the horses with evident delight, The
auetioneer seeing the new conner, and being
himself but poor horseman, thought it an
admirable hit, when he cried out, 'sjump in
red jacket, and show tho gentlemen what a
figure they will make W hen under motion.