The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-12
Greek and Greek.

There is certain individual in this State
who rejoices in the nickname of the "Wcs-
tern Railroad Jockey" or more commonly
the "Grcat Western" a man who is half
horse and whole Yankee. lie is the keen
est chap in trading nags that was ever rails
cd in New England, and "canny Yorkshircn
could not produce his match at "taking in
the flats" The fame of this excellent man
at length reached the cars of another adept
i'll the same profession, living somewhere
up on the Vermont line, equally skilled in
horse-flcsh and the tricks Of trade, but not
ccnrses on partial fortuney) equally re-.
nowncd. When the National Nimrod-for
lie was quite sporting character, heard of
his rivals reputation, and particularly of his
boasts, that he could "pick up any white
man living" his pride was seriously hurt,
and hearing that the "Grcat Wcstern'' was
to be at a particular spot, on a particular
day. Tor the purpose OF trading horses, he
determined to DC there will, the rcdouLtablc
jockey.
Accordingly, in anticipation of the ",ncct,"
lie began training and feeding a worthless
horse OF his that rejoiccd in the "hcaves'
"somc, If not more" and by dint of careful
grooming and pcculiar-stable diet, Sue
cccdcd in making the animal look rs "fine
as lily-bird OH a plum tree" ms tho "Co-
rinthian" would say. So he determined to
take the "critter" down by easy stages to
the place Of rendezvous. When near the
village, our friend disrnountcd, went into
the bushes, and there occupied some time
III changing his toilet. lie went into the
''covcr," looking like slap-up sporting gent;
he came out Of it, the most verdant looking
juvenile that ever cat gingerbread at a
country muster. His hair was combeJ
smooth behind his ears he had lonncl y
genuine white wool bcll-top; the great new
ter dollar buttons Oh his coatwaist were
near up TO lis shoulder blades, and his
honespun blue trowscrs were tucked into
the tubs of pair Of astounding cow-hide
boots. Reaching the village tavern, lie dis
mounted and l'itcllcd his horse in the shed
near woodpilc laid in for winters consunp.
ton. In the barroom he found the "Great
Western" and a'mixcd company indulginr
in horse talk and rum and molasscs. Our
hero gapcd and listened, and put in word
or two occasionally, that attracted the atten-
ton of the "Grcat Western to him AZ a
fitting subject whereon to exercise his tran
sccndent commercial talents. lie accor-
dinghy offered to treat "Grecn TN" to the
beverage the company was imbibing.
AT first, the "Grcen Un," didn't drink
nothing but cider-sept fourth of July and
muster" but he Yas prevailed on to ''try a
little New England" and commenced a
"course Of sprouts" very fairly.
BY the operation Of the third horn, he
let on "that he'd come down on business for
the old man, and he rode the old mans
horse-a dreadful nice critter."
The "Great Western" wanted to see him.
and the pair adjourned to the wood she'd
The "Great Western" was much struck
with the appearance of the horse, and after
satisfactory examination, asked "Green
Tn" wat he'd take for him.
ale ain't for sale, Mister" answered
Greeny. "rhe old man sets all creation bv
him. Raised him himself The critter was
folded eight years next grass"
"But surprising was to give you dread
iul nice horse Of mine, and thirty dol.
lars boot9"
Il darsn't to look at it, cap'n. If was
to sell that are critter, Should never dars't
to SO home agin. Let's 90 into the house.
cap'n-it's cold as Jerusalem out here.
How much did you say?'
"Ihat black horse, tlerc-and forty dol
lars," said Great Western.
"That black o.. .yourn is pooty good old
hoss, that's faG l was looking at him
fore come in. Tain't no use talkin bout
it tl,o'-I can't do it, no how"
"Docs he draw wcll?"
"Seen him trot up hill before load Of
wood just rs easy!'
"Well," said the Great Western, "what
do You say to my horse and sixty dollars
boot 2"
"Lead lis not into temptation" rs the
deacon says. "Gce-whiitakcr Darn Of
haint most a mind to run the risk. Darn
ef haint." he added firmly.
"But look here, my friend" said Great
Western, "you must, first satisfy me of his
soundness. Hitch that critter to that big
log" pointing to tho largest of the pile,
"and il he can Graw il round the wood pile.
I'll stand my offer"
The Green Tn accepted the. challenge
and the horse was put to the log and, star
ted. Now he knew very well that If the
crfttcr was driven round the pile with q
steady pull, the heaves would soon show
themselves and nothing but. exquisite tact
could enable lin to "pick uph his rival.
Accordingly, after pulling few feet, he
stoRPed the horse and began patting him.
sHe is dreadful nice boss, and he knows
it. Poor fellow! If the old man was to
see this bere-Jerusha, wouldn't catch il r