Washington telegraph., 1852-05-12

with him some twenty of the finest COWS in
Virginia, which he valued as he did the
apple Of hiseye, and he would hardly have
sold one at any price to save anybody's life.
Tom Haney, who lived about fifteen
miles from him, was telling friend one day
that he wanted to get a fine COW, and asked
him if he knew where he could purchase
one.
"No,' said his friend :" old Forbes has
about twenty of the finest cows you ever
put up to your face-real Durhams and
what not-brought from Virginia and bred
In the uery first families, but he would not
sell you one to save your soul, at least not
for less than twice its value.
What Capt. Forbes, that lives in Prai-
RE de Han .
Yes"
Well, if he's got any COWS I'll have
one, and I'll bet you drinks that | go there
and get as fine one as he has on his plan
tation, for twenty-five dollars
'I'll take the bet, said his friend, ssand,
as you are SO sure to lose, we'll drink them
now"
The next day Tom rode over to see Cap
tain Forbes He found him sauntering
about the house, shook hands with him,
talked Of the weather, the crops, the price
of cotton, and the probable number of the
bales Of the growing crop, and finally said !:
Captain, havn't you got some corn to
sell %
Well, | don't know said the Captain;
corn S mighty scarce, and I'm not sure [
have got any more than it viii take to do me
the year out, reckon, though, l could spare
a little
g You must spare me three hundred
bushels said Tom, for the drought in
June and July just naturally ruined my
crop, and | hayn't got enough for bread
corn. What are you going to charge me for
it p"
UNI" said the captain, "Um. couldn't
afford to let it go at less than fifty CENTS
It's going to be worth seventy-fve next
summer. and [ don't care much to sell it,
any way"
Well, that's pretty high, but [ can't
do without it, and [ must have it at your
own price I'll take three hundred BUSH
els at that. How do you want the pay :"
Cash down-cash in hand, of course.
WE'LL | can't pay more than fifty dol
lars down, but I'll tell you what I've got
the finest lot Of COWS and calves at home
you ever saw-came from Western Vir-
ginia-splendid breeders and mixers
and I will pay you in them, at fair
price. y
Ump! don't want COWS and calves !;
got plenty of them now, and they are only
a nuisance. wish was rid of what I've
got already"
But, Captain, you see am bound to
have the corn, shan't make pound OF
pork this fall | must have it somehow or
other You've got your COWS and calves up,
I suppose Fact, saw them as l rode up.
Now, let's 90 to the lot; [ will just show
YOU what kind of COWS mine are, and you
can Just fix your own price, and take them
at that, and I will drive them up in day or
two and deliver them"
The Captain CALCULATED Um! I'm. :"
three or four times, and led the way to the
lot, let down the bars, and stepped in. Tom
followed, and pointing to the very best COW
in the enclosure, said
"There, Captain, there is precisely such
a COW as mine are If mine don't come up
to her, you needn't take them; that's all
What do you say? How much will you
allow me apiece
"Um.'' said the Captain !" I'd rather
not have them at any price-anyhow, l
wouldn't allow more than twenty dollars for
a COW and calf like tiiat."
"Only twenty dollars for such COW as
that muley brindled coE there, and such a
calf? Oh come you're joking. Say TWEEN
ty-fve." ;.
No. sir !" said the Captain; [ wouldn't
give twenty-five dollars for no COW and cali.
ANYBODY may have the best COW and calf
I've got for that price
pom your word of honor, Captain =
Do YOU say, ON your honor, that l may
have that COW and calf fer twenty-five dol
lars y
Yes, sir, [ do,''
aTn take em,' said Tom, thrusting his
hand into his pocket, and handing over two
eagles and half
The Captain hesitated a moment, gave
Tom furious look, took the money, eJacu-
lated Um." and, without a single word
turned his back, and walked off to the
house. Tom drove off his cow and calf,
and if you just want to get whipped on short
notice, you just ask Captain Forbes about
selling Tom Haney the best COW in his lot
In Pres EYE.
l !, n hot c11oI