Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-09-09
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STORY OF THE TIN PEDLlR And SLEEPY DAVID.

The following story, extracted from the "orh,
IA Yankee among the NullltierS," purports to
he told to another by South Carolinian:
'sThat Yankees, as l said before, are apt to
be too cute for US in everything but horse flesh,
and even sometimes in that. 1t was this day
three years ago, land on this very spot that en-
tered my horse Southern for purse oil two
thousand He had won q little sum the year
before with all ease. IL short he was the best
horse at that time in South Carolina. There
were, to be sure, two other horses, and very
fine ones too, entered, against him, but they
were no touch to Southern, and was as sure
of winning as I am of sitting here this moment
when who should come along but Yankee,
with tin cart2 He had the shabbiest, worst
looking horse I ever put my eyes on. He wasa
lean, sab-sided crooked legged, rough haired
"critter" as ever went on four legs. lie stood
all the time as if he was asleep-in fact his ow-
ner called him Sleepy David. In short, Sir, he
was such a horse as would not have brought
twenty dollars.
1t was near the hour Of starting, when the
pedlar, whose exterior correspondent marvel
ously with that Of his horse, and who said his
name was Zadock Barber, to the astonishment
of all, intimated wish to enter his horse VITA
the rest.
"Your horsem exclaimed I-"what, that
sleepy looking devil there? You'd better enter
him for the turkey y-buzzards."
"Not as you knows on, Mister" resumed the
Yankee, with some show of spirit. &" To be sure
the critter looks rather sleepy as he stands, and
on that account call him Sleepy David, but
he's io-fi'd smart horse for all that. He's like
a singed cat, darned sight better nor he looks.
should like tarnation we'll to Try him against
some of Your South Carolina horses. To be sure
don't come all the way from home on that
purpose, but as was coming out this way on
load of tin and other notions, thought might
time it so as to kill two birds with one stone,
for thinks to myself, if can win the purse
and peldle off my notions at the same time, l
shall make plaguy good spec. But | had to
hurry on like the nation to get here in time
and that's one reason why my hoss looks so
shabby and out OF fix this morning. But for all
that he'll perform days work, tell YOU
Supposing he had no idea Of running his, and
that all he said was merely to crafty lis pro-
pcnsity for talking babe him begone, and not
trouble me with his Yankee palaver.
"Whv, mister" said he, I" this is a free coun-
try, and man has right to talk or let it alone,
list as he can afford. Now I've taken great
deal of pains to git here this morning. in order
to run Sleepy David agin some of your Southern
hosscs. amt joking, sir, FIN in airne<t. |
understand there is a purse of two thousand
dollars, and should like amazing to pick itup."
"You talk Of picking up two thousand dol
lars with that bit of carrion of yours Away
with you, and don't trouble us any further"
"Well, if I can't run, l suppose can't; but
it's darned hard anyhow for Il man to take so
much pains as | have to come up to the races.
and then can't run arter ALL"
"It's too late now by the rules of the course
the horse should have been entered yesterday
however, if you'll plank the entrance money,
perhaps you may get in yet"
said this by way of getting rid of the fellow,
having no idea that he could command a fourth
part Of the sum required.
How much might the entrance money be %
drawing out purse containing few shillings
in silver and few pence in copper. " 1t amt
more nor quarter Of dollar or so, III plank
it on the nail"
"It is two hundred dollars"
"Two hundred!" exclaimed the Yankee
'By gauley, what price! Why they axed me
ONLY twenty-five cents to see the elephant and
the hull caravan in New York. Two hundred
dollars Why you must be joking now-bless
me! nv hull load of tin ware, boss, wagon and
ali wouldn't fetch that. But, mister, don't you
think could get in for ten dollars 2"
s;Nothing short of two hundred, and that
must be paid in five minutes"
We now thought We had fairly got rid OF the
fellow; but he returned TO the charge ana asked
If fifty dollars wouldn't do, then seventy, ther
hundred, and finding he could not makea bar
gain for less than the regular sum, lie eIlgagct
to give it provided lie could find any one to loal
him the money, for which lie would pawn lll'
wagon load Of notions, and Sleepy Dave to boot
lie asked one, and then anotherto accommodate
him with the loan-declaring that as soon a.
ever he took the purse the money should be re.
turned and he would give dozen tnwhstles
into the bargain. He however got more curse.
than :oppers until some wag who had plenty d
cash and liked to see the sport 80 on, lent hin
the TWO hundred dollars out of sheer malice
Though, as it afterwards turned out; tho Yankee