Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-09-12
A Horse Story.

bargain, aud was never known to make q
move that didn't eaunt on.his side, until
the following happened, that proved an ex-
ception to the rule. IIe always had, some
particular horse on hand for every p4rGicu-
lar emergency of trade, and the adroitness
of his operations in putting OFF beast, was
asubjectEor delighted approval on all hands
among connoisseurs of that delightful and
much abused animal, the horse. No one
ever traded with Static that did not con
fess himself satisfied, though satisfaction
being latitudinal word, did not always
mean that the satisfaction was the ultimate
of happiness in The trade-like the same
term in connection with the duello.
There was Jolly cobbler whose name
was Wax, that occupied a small shop near
the hotel, to whom Stafile was accustomed
to refer in case of any stick in transaction,
and he being p diSinterested man, would
decide on the matter of difference, always
however, by what was deemed strange
fatality, deciding in favor of Staffle. Some,
however, went so far as to intimate that
Staffle and the cobbler had talked the mat
ter over previously, and had certain signs
by which they understood each other
When the stick came, then Staflle would
say, "WelI, well, aoc can't get along any
further Now I'm willing to leave it to a
third party and as Mr. Wax, around the
corner, knows the value of the horse am
swapping with you, he will be as good and
candid an arbitrator as we can find, and /
guess III call him." Mr., Wax would ac-
cordingly come out, leather apron and all,
and after looking at the matter candidly,
would decide that Static should receive u
smart consideration as the difference in
value, and this would settle it nine times
in ten,
One day there came along stranger
with pretty good horse and it was at once
an object of Stafle's interest. He exam
inod the horse in all his points and deter
mined to have him. The determination
worked itself into positive fever by next
morning; and when the strangers horse
was led out to be harnessed Stai1le 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
a little something out of it,
Well, I'm glad to hear you say So
John, bring out the red colt"
The red colt was accordiogly brought
out. It's name was a misnomer 1t was
one of those animals that, having been
called a colt when lcgitimately entitled to
the appellaton, had forfeited it by the OF.
fence of age, and was now 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, chow shall we
trade? What will you give to boot?"
Boot p said Staffle, with feigned sur
prise, " the boot is on the other leg, [
think"
"Ah," said the man, "wcll, if you
think 50, we will stop negotiation. Good
morning"
"Hold on" cried StaHle, "hold on
don't be in such hurry. Suppose offer
you-say, twenty-five dollars-how would
that please youY
ltwould not please me at all, was the
reply. "L shouldn't want to take less
than eighty dollars"
"Well," said Staffle, " [ can't do that :;
but III tell you what | will do--Pll leave
it out to somebody"
Donc," replied the stranger; anything
for a trade. Whom will you leave it to /?
Somebody, hope, that knows what good
"Never better, sir" said Stafie, de-
hghtfully; and here's the man, of all 9th
ers, that | would like to see, coming into
the yard. Good morning, Mr., Wax"
Wax nodded good morning back again,
and said SO, and then stood with his hands
under his apron looking at the horses.
Mr.. Wax" continued Stahic, Z" this
gentleman and myself are about trading
horses, and we want you to decide on the
amount of boot that am to pay him. You
know what an excellent horse the "colt"
is, and can Judge by comparing the two,
what the difference should be-"
MIR. Wax are you good Judge of hor-
ses p
NIr. Wax nodded, and looked up into
his face, as much as to say, ~ should like
to have you find better one" He then
proceeded grlyely to examine the two hor-
ses, and after standing with his arms akin
DO for some FIVE minutes said
"I should think seycnty-fvc dollars
would be about right"
"Good,' said the strangers five dol
lars isn't much in trade. Give me sew
onty-fye dollars and take the horse"
Static was red as beet, and drawing
out his pcvncs-boo he counted out seven
ty-Gye dollars, and paid them over. The
transfer was made in silence, and the $tran-
ger drove away. After he had gone, Stat
heturncd to Wax, who stood there very