The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1851-10-11
An Even Trade
n, TWO OLD HEADS AT ONE CAV

yin, NJ OLD ALaDo n ONL pa9t-.
Old uncle Billy Snow was aud is the keenesr
trader in the country. He was never known to
make bad bargain. Many a trap hes been laid
to catch him but his operations always turn out so
as to add something to his reputation.
Some time since party OF young men were
talking Of uncle Blly's great luck in this way,
and various instances were mentioned of his e2
traordinary trades, and his uniform success Jcm
Donnellan offered to bet that lie would catch him
before two days OF course that bet was taken
as soon as il was proposed. and soon afterwards
Jem left us 10 make his preparations to win.
Next day was court day, and Jen and Mr.
Snow met at .he court house.
Good morning, uncle Billy said JerD, all well
to. day Z
Pretty we'll thank you, Jesmes, my son.
Amy trading On hand this morning' asked Don
nean.
Nothing in particular, Jeemes times is raul.
er dull just now, people don't trade as they Us.
ed to do
That's fact, uncle Bill responded Jem.--
Well, since nothing better oilers, spose you and
make trade
No objection in the world, Jeemes. Go ahead
and let me hear from yo1.'
Well. uncle Billy. have mare yonder, that
! want to trade for that mule Of yours how will
you trader
4 don't know, responded Mr. Snow, "but ms
mules are usually considered worth more than
horses, and your mare is getting along in years,
s'pese ten dollars would not be too much boot,
would iti Give me ten dollars and your mare,
and you may take the mule
! Dun = exclaimed Jem, perfectly delighted.
! The Money was paid over, and the critters were
handed over to their masters,--Jen took bis mule
home, and that night the beast lay down and
died. This was a sore blow to our hero but he
had one more day left, and he determined TO
save himself-The next morning found himself
and Snow at the same place, and III Conversation
as follows;
! Uncle Billy says Jem, 4 think you came the
strong game over me yesterday, in that mule Of
1 yours. don't like him Rs much this morning as
| did yesterdayI don't think be improves much
on quaintance-whatlly you take to ruef swap
! back.)
Now, Jeemes my son. answered uncle Billy
! i dent wan, to be hard on yor, but you took me
up yesterday at the first hop, aud you knew II
trade is a trade But if you are very anxious to
rue, don't care much. Give me ten dollars
more and YOU may have your mare back
Uncle Billy, III do it, exclaimed Jem in great
delight But only on this condtion-each man
must come after, aud take away his own beast.
| didn't bring the mule along to day, and see
you didn't ride the mare, its as long as it is
broad. I'll give you the ten dollars now, and
III 60 home with you first and get the mare and
afterwards you eau send OF come for the mule at
any time
ANY way, Jeemes,' replied Mr.. Snow.
| The money was paid and Jem aud tue old man
started The next day when the same crowd
had met to decide the bet, Jem Was there Civ
ing in his experience as follows:
/ TIE old man and rode along very cozily to.
gether talking about everything in the world
/ except our trade That question lodged.
WAS afraid to open my lips till got the mare
safe A, last we reachod the o.d fellows house
and he said to me as we entered the yard
| 'Jeemcs, mg son, there ia your marc-you can
take her away with you And, boys, shoot me
| if there wasn't the old mare, lying in the yard
as dead as door nail, The Internal cu@ had
died the sane night NTH the mule !"