Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-11-18
A HORSE STORY.

many, and was always ready Tor tEaoe III
such cattle. He was sharp at bargain, and
was never known to make a move that did MT
count on his side, until the following happen |
ed, that proved an exception to the rule He
always had some particular horse on hand ior
every particular emergency Of trade, ana the
adroitness of his operations on putting off
beast was subject of delighting approval, on
all hands among connoisseurs of that delight
full and much abused animal, the horse. No
one ever traded with Static that did not con-
fess himself satisfied, though satisfaction be-
ing Iatitudinal word did not always mean
that the satisfaction the ultimate Of hap
piness in the trade-like the same term in con-
nection with the duello.
There was jolly col bier, whose name was
Wax, that occupied a small shop near the ho-
| tel to whom Static was accustomed TO refer In
case of aDy stick in a transaction, and he being
disinterested man, would decide on the mat
t ter of difference always-hewever, by what
was deemed strange fatality, deciding in the
| favor of Staffle. Some, however, went so far
as to intimate that Staffle and the cobbler had
| talked the matter over previously and had GER
tain signs by which they understood each 9TH
! er.
| When the stick came, then Static would say,
s'I'm willing to leave it to third party, and
as Mr.. Wax, around the corner, knows the
value of the horse I'm swapping with you, he
will be as good and candid an arbitrator as we
can find, and guess I'll call him. Mr.. " AK
would accordingly come out, leather apron and
all, and after looking at the matter candidty,
would decide that Staffie should receive smart
consideration as the difference in value, and
this would settle it in nine times out of ten.
One day there came along stranger with a
pretty good horse, and 1t was at once an object
of Staff1e's interest. He examined the horse
in all its points, and determined to have him.
The determination worked itself into positive
. fever by the next morning and when the
strangers horse was led out to be harnessed
Stafie stepped out and asked the owner, who
was looking on, seeing that the harness was
adjusted properly, if he didn't want to swap
horses.
The stranger told him that he hadn't the
least objection, provided he could make lit
tie something out of it.
"Wel, am glad to hear you say SO. John
bring out the red colt.''
Its name was misnomer. 1t was one of those
animals that, having been called a colt when
legitimately entitled to the appellatiOn, had
forfeited it by the ofense of age. and was now
sailing under false colors. The stranger look
ed at the scott and gave whistle as he saw
} the discrepancy between the title and the age
ssWell,' said he at last, chow will you trade!
What will you give to boot -
esBoot 20 said Stafile, with feigned surprise,
s.the boot is on the other leg, Think
!, e:Ah,'' said the man, sswell, if you think 50,
we will stop negotiation. Good morning"
ssHold on,'' cried Staffle, .shold on-don't
be in such hurry. Suppose offer you-say,
twenty-five dollars-how would that please
you7''
ssIt would not please me at all, - was the re-
ply. ssI shouldn't want to take less than eigh-
ty dollars.'
sWen,n said Staffle, ssI can't do that; but
I'll tell you what will do-I'll leave it to some
Z body
b "Done,'' replied the stranger, ssanything fol
, a trade. Whom will you leave it to Some
j, body, hope, that knows what good horse is
ssNever better, sir,' said Static, delight
ed ssand here's the man, of all others, that
would like to see, coming into the yard
Good morning, Mr.. Wax
Wax nodded good morning back again, ant
!, said so, and then stood with his hands undel
y his apron looking at the horses"
y "Mr Wax continued Staffle, ssthis gentle
e man and myself are about trading horses, anc
. we want you to decide upon the amount o
}, boot that am to pay him. You know what al
excellent horse the sscolt'' is, and can Judge
q by comparing the two, what the differenc,
should be-
p "Mr. Wax, are you good judge of horses r
Mr.. Wax nodded, and looked up into his face
as much as if to say, / should like to see yol
find better one. He then proceeded f
: gravely examine the two horses, and, afte
f standing with his arms akimbo for some iv,
J, minutes, said
: 81 should think about seventy-iye dollar
!. would be about right
g s'Good, J" said the stranger, ssfve dollars ism
d much in a trade. Give me seventy-fve dol
d lars and take the horse.'
., Staffle was red as a beet, and drawing ou
his pocket book, he counted out seventy-hvt
dollars, and paid them over. The transfer wa:
e made in silence, and the stranger drove away
- After he had gone, Static turned to Wax, wht
" stood there very smilingly, saying
s.That was a devil of trick you played me
What was you thinking of Didn't you un
= derstand the scott" was mine 2''
"Yes,'' replied Wax, "but you didn't sus
3 pect the other horse was mine, did YOU?
$ bought him yesterday on speculation. DO.
| fpn SATURDAY. Gazette