Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-21
STORY OF THE TIN PEDLAR AND SLEEPY
DAVID

The following story, extracted from the work, ga
Yankee Among the Nufers," purports to be told
to another by South Carolinian:
"That Yankees, as said before are apt to be too
cute for us in everything but horse flesh, and even
sometimes in that. 1t this day three years ago,
and on this very spot that entered my horse South
ern for purse of two thousand. He had won lit
tie sum the year before with all In short he
was the best horse at the 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 sure of winning as
am of sitting here this moment-when who should
come along but Yankee, with tin cart? He had
the shabbiest, wors: looking horse | ever put my
eyes upon. He was lean. sabsided, crooked leg
eed rough haired "crtter" went on four
legs He stood all the time as if he was asleep-n
fact his owner called him Sleepy David. In short,
sir, he was such horse would not have brought
twenty dolla s.
1t was near the hour of starting, when the pedlar
whose exterior corresponded marvelously with that
of his horse, and who said his name Zadock
Barbar to the astonishment of all, intimaed wish
to enter his horse with the rest
"Your horse!" exclaimed l." what, that sleepy
looking devil there? You'd better enter him for
the turkey-buzzards."
mot as you knows on, Mister" resumed the Yam
kee, with some show Of spirit. ''To be sure the
crtter looks rather sleepy he stands and on that
account call him Sleepy David. but he's jo-f'd
smart horse for all that. He's like singed cat,
darned sight better he looks. Ishould like tar
nation we'll to try him against of your South
Carolina horses. 10 be sure l don't come all the
way from home on that purpose, but as was com.
ing out this way with load of tin and other no.
tons l thought l might time it so as to kill two
birds with one stone for thinks | to myself if can
win the purse and pedde of my notions at the same
time, shall make paguy good spec. But had
that's reason why my horse looks so shabby and
out of fix this morning. But for all that he'll per-
form days work, tell you"
Supposing he had no idea drumming his horse and
that all he said merely to crafty his propensity
for talking, bade him begone, and not trouble me
with his Yankee palaver."
"Why mister" said he, GO this is a free country.
and man has right to talk or e! it alone, list as
he can afford. Now I've taken great deal of pains
to git here this morning, in order run Scepy Da.
vid agin some of your Southern hosses. amt io-
king sir, Im in airnest. | understand there is
purse of two thousand dollars. and l should lika
amazing to pick it up
"You talk of picking up two thousand dollars
with that bit of carron of yours Away with you,
and don't trouble US any further
"Well, if l can't run, suppose can't; but IFS
darhed hard any how for 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 entered yesterday; however, il
you'll plank the entrance money, perhaps you may
get in YETI
said this by way of getting rid ofthe fellow, hav.
ing no idea that he could command fourth part Of
the sum required.
"How much might the entrance money be?" draw
ing out purse containing few shillings in silver
and few pence in copper. "If it amt more nor
quarter of dollar or SO III plank it on the nail"
1t is two hundred dollars"
Two hundred! I" exclaimed the Yankee. "By
gualey. what a 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-bess me! my hull load Of
tin ware, boss, wagon and all wouldn't fetch that
But, mister, don't you think l could get in for ten
dollars?"
Nothing short of two hundred, and that must
be paid in five minutes"
We now thought we had fairly got rid of the fel.
low; but he returned to the charge and asked if f
ty dollars wouldn't do, then seventy, then hun.
dred, and finding he could not make.a bargain 70,
less than the regular sum, he engaged to give tpro
vided he could find any to loan him the money
for which he would pawn his wagon load ofnotions
and Sleepy Dave to boot He asked One and ther
another to accommodate him with the loan-declar
ing that as soon as he took the purse the mon
ey should be returned and he would give dozen tir
whistles into the bargain. He however got more
curses than coppers until some wag who had plenty
OF cash and liked to the sport 20 on, lent hin
two hundred dollars out of sheer malice Though