The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-11-04
A HORSE STORY.

|
for horses, owned many, and was always
ready for trade in such cattle, He
was sharp at a bargain, and was never
known to make move that didn't count
on his side, until the following ha opened,
that proved an exception to the general
rule. He always had some particular
horse on hand for every emergency OF
trade, and the adroitness of his opera
tiops in p=tting of a beast vas Q subject
of delighted approval on all hands,
among connoiseurs of that elegant and
much abused animal, the horse. No
one ever traded with Snaf1e who did
not confess himself satisfied, though sat-
isfaction, being word of much latitude,
did not always mean the ultimate of
| happiness in the trade-like the same
term in connection with the duello
There was jolly cobbler by the name
of Wax, who occupied small shop near
the hotel. To him, Snafie was accus-
toned to refer in case of any stick in a
transaction; and he, being disinterest-
ed man. would decide on the matter Of
difference-always, however, by what
was deemed a strange fatality, deciding
in favor of Snaf1e. Some, indeed, went
| so far as to intimate that Snafle and
the cobbler had talked the matter over
previously, and had certain signs by
which they understood each other.
When the stick came, Snaff1s would
say " Well, well, ace can't get along
any further. Now, I'm willing to leave
it to third party; and as Mr.. Wax,
around the corner, knows the value of
the horse I am swapping with you, he
will be as good and candid an arbitra-
tor as We can find, and I guess I'll call
him." Mr.. Wax would accordingly
come out, leather apron and all, and af-
ter looking at the matter candidly,
would decide that Snaflle should receive
smart consideration as the difference
in value, and this would settle it nine
times out Of ten.
One day there came along stranger
with pretty good horse, and it was at
once an object OF Snaf1e's interest. He
examined the horse in all his points and
determined to have him. The detcrmi-
nation worked itself into positive fever
before the next morning; and when the
strangers horse was led out to be har-
messed, Snaf1e stepped out and asked
the owner, who was looking on, il he
didn't want to swap horses.
The stranger told him he hadn't the
least objection, provided he could make
little something out of it.
Well, I'm glad to hear you say So.
John, bring out t. bay colt"
The bay colt was accordingly brought
out. It's name was a misnomer. 1t
was one of those animals that, having
been called colt when egitimately en-.
titled to the appellation, had for cited
it by the offense of age, and was low
sailing under false colors. The stranger
looked at the 'colt," and gave whistle
as he saw the discrepancy between the
title and the age.
Well" said he at last, ''how shall
we trade What will you give to
boot 2''
Boot !'' said Snaffle, with feigned
surprise, 4" the boot is on the other leg
1 think"
"Ah," said the man, "well, if you
think SO, we will stop negotiation, Good
morning" t a SEs5 "s. d .7a- .,
Hold on" cried snafle, "hold on
don't be in such hurry. Suppose 1
offer you-say twenty five dollars-how
will that please you us''
alt would not please ME at ALL" was
the reply, '' shouldn't want to take less
than eighty dollars"
&" can't do that" said Snaffle, " but
I'll tell you what will do-1'll leave
it to somebody"
Done" replied the stranger "any-
thing for trade. Whom will you leave
it to ? Somebody, I hope, who knows
what good horse is" 49,.
Never better, sir" said Snaffle,
delighted; and here's just the man of
all others that would like to see, COM
ing into the yard. Good morning, Mr..
Wax" .a--r ,- laa-.. -.... --... .--.
Wax returned the salutatiop, and then
stood with his hands under his apron
looking at the horses.
"Nr. Wax" continued Snaffe, "this
gentleman and myself are about trading
horses, and we want you to decide Oh the
amount of boot 1 am to pay him. You
know what an excellent horse the 'colt'
is, and can judge by comparing the two,
what the difference sh 5uld be-"
The stranger said:
=" Mr.. Wax, are you good judge of
horses ?'' -
Mr.. Wax nodded and looked up into
his face, as much as to say, "I should
like to have you find better one." He
then proceeded gravely to examine the
two horses, and, after standing with his
arms akimbo for some five minutes, said:
81 should think seventy y-fve dollars
would be about right" g'.-
"GoOd," said the stranger; :" Eve
dollars isn't much in trade. Give me