The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-12-26
Phil sells a Horse, and pays of the
Old Score.

Phil Moody was jolly, good-hcarted fsl'
low, living on the brighter side Of life, with
the good will of all his peighbors to help
him on. His name may have been Philip,
or, it may, Philbrook, or Philgarlic; but
l never heard him called else than Phil, and
l doubt If he remembered ever having q
longer christian name. Phil was farmer
in small way, working some on his little
spot of land, and filling up the spare time
by tinkering and oobbling. lie made OK
yokes, and sleds, and harrows, and hoe han
dies and also made and mended boots and
shoes. In fact he was o sort Of universal
genius, but without application enough to
Lift him very high up on the ladder Of pros
pcrity.
One Spring Phil concluded to buy horse.
lie needed one, and having heard that man
by the name Of Bill Nelson, just over in the
adjoining town, had several to sell, he went
over there. He found Bill and soon made
his business known. This Nelson was a
regular jockey, unscrupulous and mcrciless,
who made his living by trading in horses
and cattle. He saw that Phil had come to
buy, and was ready to sell. So he took his
customer out to the stables, and showed his
animals.
81 want a kind BEAST" said Phil, +" one
that's able and willing, and amt too old"
"Aha," uttered Nelson, rubbing his
hands together with much satisfaction. in
view Of his ability to serve his visitor. "l'vc
got Just the horse. There, SIR"
As he spoke, hc led out tho animal-a
long.lcgged, gaunt, high-shouldercd thing
with head like a camel.
elf you want beauty" said Bill, this
amt yer animal; but ifye want real worth,
and power, and willingness, and one that's
dog cheap. here's yer sort. Now I've got q
horse in there, that was offered two hun.
dred dollars for this very mornin'. He's a
beauty; but tell yer plainly, that for work
this animal is worth two Of him."
Phil looked the horse over, for though he
knew but little of the hidden points Of horse
flesh, yet he had pretty good idea of what
a good animal was. The beast under con-
sideration, was strangely built, and ave his
unmitigated homeliness, he appeared to be
all right. Nelson warranted him sound to
the bost of his knowledge, and belief, and
only twelve years old. Ho asked eighty
dollars for him but Phil couldn't think Of
such o thing. Phil offered him fifty, and
Nelson pouldnt think ofsuch thing. How
ever, tho price was finally fixed at sixty dol
lars, and having paid the money Phil mount
cd and rode home.
On the following morning Phil concluded
to haul up a load Of wood 30 he harnesscd
his horse and went out to the wood-lot.-
The horse went very well on the level ground,
but when he came to gentle rise, II was oil
day with him. Hc stopped and wouldn't
20. Ho tried with all his might, and eouldn's
20. Here was subject for reflection. Phil
urged and ooaxed, then grew wrathy and
whipped; but the beast couldn't pull. AT
length Phil embarrassed and led his horse
homo. In the door yard he met Jerry Towne.
"Eh2" cried Jerry. "whero dye get
that critter?"
"Bill Nelson" said Phil.
"P-h-e-w! Hope 70 didn't pay him
anything, Phil"
"Do you know anything about the ami
NAL, Jerry'"
"Abit. Nelson got him for nothing
Old Obed Shed gave him to Bill II he'd only
take him off,"
WHATS tho matteri" asked Phil.
"Heavcs worst kind-j'ints all sprung
narves gone-all bungcd up. Worth moro
for manure than anything else."
Phil felt badly. But he knew Jerry was
his friend, and he resolved to tell him the
whole story 20 he nt down and related oil
tho circumstances attending tho trade.
"That's too bad" cried Jerry, as Phil
concluded. "It's won, than highway rob
berry. But say-can't you manage to pay
the villain back In his own coin? 2"
"Don't know" )" aid Phil.