The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-11-09
THIRTY-NINE DOLLAR MARE.

Some years ago. while travelling in III
slate OF Maine. ] Chanced TO halt At q
out oil the-way tavern in those parts-j
the bar room of which, during the eve
ming. heard the substance of the follow
ing story related 1t may divert some
your readers, good Spirit and 80
write it out for you.
Speaking OF horsas'-remarked th
leading taIker Of the evening-Speaki
OF horses reminds me Of a m~re | kDe,
long time ago. 'h,ee minute nags
wernt so plenty as we hear tell abou
now.a.days.'
There was blacksmith in the rowr
where | then lived who was a very fai
Judge OF horse. and who generally own
ed a 'rusher,' for those times--thoupb al
most his entire fortune was ordinarily in
vested on his crab lie sold his oil
mare one day, and kept his eye open fol
another beast. when the right. .bind'of ar
animal might fall in his way.
1t cnanced soon aherward, that there
came to the door Of his little shop, one
day grey mare--a long, lean bodied
wench--the owner Of which desired 10
have her shoI. The blacksmith looked
in her mouth, as horsempn sometimes do.
and then he tried her dock. lie stood
IN front OF her, and then beside her, and
then examined her feet, and then went to
work 10 shoe her.
How old is she!' he asked quietly, as
he proceeded to pare and trim her hoois.
Nine years come SPRING said her
owner.
The blacksmith looked in her mouth
again and said-'Yes you can warrant
that
Warrant! well, she's good beast, any
ow.' responded the other.
Is she soundp
AS fresh hick'ry nut
'Kindl'
AS cosset sheep
May be you'd sell herl' continued the
blacksmith, slowly, as he finished her
last foot.
Yes replied the owner. handing the
blacksmith a dollar for his job, Yes, I'll
sell her.
How much money-cash downT
Forty five dollars
'Five-and-forty. She must be a good
one
She is good one
Say forty stranger, and Ill venture TO
take her.
The bargain was closed, the stranger
walked away with his old saddle on his
arm. and the grey mare walked into the
blacksmith's little shed stable. Ii was
heap Of money Tor him 10 put into a sin
gle horse, but he thought she had good
points in her making.up, notwithstanding
the fact that she hadn't been oyer.fed, OF
late, or too carefully groomed.
Z A little care and grooming very soon
developed her more satisfactorily, and the
purchaser CHANGING to be a dozen miles
from home one night, hurried up the
cakes on his way back, and led noted
three minute pelter into town like open
and shut.
well done! Well done, old thirty
nine,' said the blacksmith, enthusiastic.
ally, as he applied two huge straw wisps
to her reeking sides-nor left her while
a single hair was turned upon her body.
well done old oman! Ill take you
round Walnut hill, and see about this.
And he did take her there--once twice
hrice-fity times; but he said nothing.
only that she was a good creture to draw
and he was contented with her.
At the end Of four or five months, the
Did man took leathar pouch, shut up
shop. and rode into Boston--halting al
he Eastern Stage House in Ann street.
Here he remained, quietly for three or
our days, scarcely showing himself and
never speaking Of his mare.
One evening he overheard some oi
he boys in the bar room talking horse
md he listened earnestly.
Co! said one of them, Il rather think
le can--in $50, sure' ..
'Ha ha! roared the rest, for three min.
lte horses, even, were scarce at that pc.
iod.) ...
60! I'D like to match him against
omething that can trot. Your wigglers
'our rakers and your runners are not the
hngs. Give me a square trotler, and
ian Just leave him!-lhats alp
ken youl' asked voice near by, mod.
,stly. ......-...... u.. ..
The company turned about, and saw
IN unshorn, rough visaged man sitting in
,is shirt-sleeves, to whom the young buck
lid not reply, at all. Our blacksmith (ior
/ vas hey continued to smoke his pipe.
The boys put their heads together for a
the foremost asked:
Perhaps you've got horse that you
would like to exercise littIe! ,
,Yaas,' responded the rude dressed
Il don't mind a little exercise
or the old mare-but you don't bet moth.
n on it, take IT, s.. .. ...
'Why, yes. Just for the name OF the
hing we'll 60 five hundred or so.' {
'Five hundred whatl' exclaimed the {
jreen un, Jumping from hia chair and !