Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-24
THE EVENING STAR
A HORSE TRADE


The Boston Evening Gazette is responsible
for this one:
When TOpple was in the horse trade, he had
his eyes constantly about him for a specula.
tiOn. and one day in Vermont he fell in with,
among other specimens n horse, whose princi-
pal points were the points of bone projecting
through his skin-a long, lean, lank white ami
NAL that had got some way beyond his teens,
whose qualities as good horse were vouched
for by neighbOr, who said he had knowed him
for twenty-four years, and a kinder critter
never led oxen in plough than he.
The horse was bought ut y discount and
shipped with three others in a car for Boston.
where he arrived safe but scarcely sound Ton
pie thought 1t hard investment and felt some-
what anxious as to how he should get his money
back again, concluding ut last that he would
undoubtedly make enough on the other three
to cover the loss on this One which he must. he
conceived, sustain. He had him stabbed, and
then the idea occurred to Topple that he would
attempt a little Fictitious excellence for the
poor beast and endeavor to put him off respect
ably A horse of some celebrity had died Just
before. and TOpple borrowed large cover that
was wont to envelope the animal after running
and covered MP his own Rosinante Herewith.
Immediately afterwards appeared an adver-
tisement in the Post and other papers that the
famous trOtter White Foot was on exhibition at
Bailey's, and would be sold on a certain day,
inviting people to call and see him. The usual
formula was gone with, of sound ''knd
''stand without tying" &c, concluding with
the statement that he had gone his mile in less
than three minutes. The advertisement brought
many horse fanciers to the stable, where White
Foot stood in bed of straw, covered by the robe
that hal been borrowed.
TOpple thought that bOldness was the best
policy, and called the attention Of his visitors
to the fact of the horse being so poor venting
the statement gratuitously that he had fairly
. n-.L- -
able. "a the flesh was not there
AS the day Of sale arrived, TOpple visited his
racer at regular periods. and with a lath vigor-
OuS!y applied, endeavOred to excite in him
disposition 70 appear vigorous on inspection he
fore the public, and succeeded 40 far that be-
fore the time arrived the sound of Topples feet
on the stable floor wrong hit the poor beast up TO
perfect frenzy. lie stamped and struggled in
manner extravagant enough to establish n
large reputation for mettle, and ToppIe was
satisfied . Perhaps, whispered he to the auc-
honeer, we may get seventy dollars for him.
The horse was brought to the block and at
sight Of TOpple he manifested every sign of
spirit. His nOstrilS were distended, his eve
frightened, and he stepped round neryOusly
as though he were impatient TO have somebody
buy him, that he mig ght be going, inside of three
minutes. over the road.
How much am offered for the horse ?" said
Bailey; Z" how much for White Foot? Shall l
have bid2''
Seventy FIVE dollars, - said a voice.
"Seventy-fve-thank you seventy-fye-
shall l hear any more?"
One hundred another voice.
Twenty-Five first bidder.
. Fifty second
Go on, gentlemen, said Bailey letting the
bidding proceed, seeing the competition tsapy
more than one hundred and fifty for horse
that has been his mile in less than three min
utes'
.'One hundred and sixty" another bidder.
" "Sixty-iive, first bidder
" Seventy 4 new voice.
" Seventy-fve,' firstand second together
Any more than one hundred and seventy
hvel All done ut One-seyenty-fye? Sold
Dr. Small. of Cape Cod, takes him at one hun
drcd and seventy-i"e-"
= The bid was mine, said the second bidder,
and insist upon it,
The contestant was n man living in town,
and the auetloneer thought that for prudential
reasons it would be better to let the beast 90
out of town, if he had strength to get ont So he
gravely decided that DR.. Small's bid was the
one he had heard, and to whom he had knocked
of the bargain.
SO anxious was the disappointed man to pro-
cure the horse that he offered the doctor fifteen
dollars for his bargain, who informed him that
he could not trade. The price, he said, was not
much to him; he wanted horse that would go
quickly, and as he had got good one he should
hold ON to him.
The money was paid over and the animal
delivered to the purchaser, who procured a
wagon and harness and started for home in the
hope OF reaching Cape Cod in about two hours
About that length Of time after he left, horse
was heard moderately approaching the stable,
and the face of old White Foot was seen once
moro in the precinct.
- Well, said the doctor, as he got out of the
wagon, . want TO do now W hat | should have
done before, ask about this horse Who knows
anything about him? This advertisement
sAys-holding up n copy of the Post, and
reading the descriptiOn-'' that he has been his
mile inside of three minutes now l should
like TO know when ?''
= Not more than three weeks ago he did it"
replied TOpple: = saw him myself"
Where, for goodness sake p said the doc
tor.
On the down grade of the Rutland Rail-
road: IN freight car, replied the imperturba-
bic TOpple.