The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-18

STORY OF A TIN PEDDL Err
aa u. SLEEPY DAVID.

The following story, extracted from the
work, +" A Yankee among the Nullihers, pur.
ports to be told to another by a South Caro-.
linian: ".| ..~ .: p.
"That Yankees, as said before are apt to
be too cute for us in everything but horse
flesh, and even sometimes in that It was
this day three years ago, and on this very spot,
that entered my horse Southern for purse
Of two thousand He had won little sum
the year before, with all ease. In 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 70 Southern, and
| was as sure of winning as | am sitting here
this moment---when who should come along
but Yankee, with tin cartS He had the
shabbiest, worst looking horse ever put my
eyes on. He was lean, slab sided, crooked
legged, rough-haired critter," as ever went
on four legs. He stood all the time as if he
was asleep--in fact his owner called him
Sleepy David. In short sir, he was such a
horse as would not have brought twenty dol
lars. aH.
1t was near the hour of starting, when tho
pedler, whose exterior corresponded marvel
ously with that of his horse, and who said bis
name was Zadock Barber, TO the astonishment
the rest ...r.. " .. ,.... a.
"Your horse!" exclaimed L" what, that
sleepy looking devil there, You'd better en-.
ter him for the turkey-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 jo'hd smart horse for all that.
He's like a singed cat, darned sight better
nor he looks. | should like tarnation well 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 COM
ing out this way on load Of tin and other no.
tons, thought might time it so as to kill
two birds with one stone, for thinks to my
SELF if | can win the purse and peddle off my
notions at the same time, shall make plaguy
good spec. But | had TO hurry on like the
nation to get here in tirne and that's one rea-
son why my hoss looks so shabby and out Of
Ga this morning. But for all that he'll per-
form days worA tell YOU"
Supposing ne had no idea Of running his,
and that all he had said was merely to crafty
his propensity for talking, bade him begone,
and not trouble me with his Yankee palavcr.
20 "why, mister" said he, "this is free
country, and man has right to talk or let it
alone, Just as he can afford. Now I've taken q
great deal of pains to get here this morning,
IN order to run Sleepy David agin some of
your Southern horses amt joking, sir, I'm
in airnest. I understand there is a purse of
two thousand dollars, and / should like anna
zing to pick it up. a. ........ .. .sapm ~.
it"You talk ofIpicking up two thousand dol
lars with that bit Of carrion Of yours. Away
with you, and don't trouble US any further"
r swell, if can't run suppose | can't; but
it's darn'd hard for a man to take so much
pains as have to come up to the races, and
then can'trun after all. y" ......
d ats too late now; by the rules of the
course the horses should have been entered
yesterday; however if you'll plank the en-
tral,ce 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.
elbow much might the entrance money
be?n drawing out a purse containing few
shillings in silver and few pence in copper.
t"If it amt more nor aguarter Of dollar or
so III plank it on the nail, IN ~i
. at is two hundred dollars" aa
1.-TWO hundred !" exclaimed the Yankee.
"By gauleyl what price. Why they sxed
me only twenty five cents to see the elephant
and the hull caravan in New York. Two