Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-04-02
How Jim DonnelIan Out-Traded
Uncle Billy Snow.

; Uncle Dliiy DnOW.
Old Uncle Billy Snow was, and is,
the keenest trader in the county,
He was never known to make bad
bargains. Many trap had been laid
to catch him, but bis operations al
ways turned out so as to add some
thing to his pile, and still more to bis
reputation.
Sometime since, party of young
men talking of Uncle Billy's great
luck in this way, various instances
were mentioned Of his extra.
ordinary trades and his uniform sue
cess. jim Donnellan at length Of
ftred to bet that he would catch him
before two days. Of course that was
taken as soon as proposed, and soon
Jim left Us to make his preparations
to win.
The next day was court day, and
Jim and Mr.. Snow met at the court
house.
Good morning, Uncle Billy" aaid
Jim; ''all well to-day?"
| Pretty well, l thank you, Jeems,
my SON."
"Any trading on hand this morn
ing?" inquired Donnellan.
Nothing in particular, Jeems;
times is rather dull just now; people
don't trade as they use to do.
! That's a fact, Uncle Billy" re-
sponded jim. "Well, since nothing
better offers, 'spose you and | make
a trade?''
/ ''No objections in the world, Jeems.
Go ahead and let's hear from you"
"Well, Uncle Billy, ! have mare
yonder, that | want to trade for that
mule of yours; how will you trade p
Il don t know, exactly" responded
Mr.. Snow; "but as mules are gener:
ally considered worth more than hor-
ses, and your mare is getting along in
years, 'spose ten dollars wouldn't
be too much, would it? Give me
ten dollars and your mare and you
may take the mule"
"Done p exclaimed Jim, perfectly !
delighted
The money was paid over, and the
critters were handed over to their
new masters. Jim took the mule
home that night, and the beast lait
down and died. This wes a sore blow
to our hero, but be had one more
day left and he determined TO save
himself. The next morning found
him and Snow in the same place, and
in conversation as follows:
"Uncle Billy" says Jim. "I think !
you come the strong game over me,
yesterday, in that mule of yours. |
don't like it quite SO well this morn
ing as did yesterday-I don't think
he improves on acquaintanoa-what |
viii you take to rue?' tswap back.)
"Now, Jeems, my son." answered
Uncle Billy, Il don't want to be
hard upon you, but you took me up
on the hop,and you know a trades a
trade. But if you are anxious torue.
| don't care much. Give me ten dol
lars more and you may have your
mare back"
"Uuclo Billy, I'll do it y exclaimed
Jim, in great delight. But only on
one condition-each man must come
after and take away his own beast
| didn't bring my mule along to-day,
and | see you didn't ride the mare,
SO it is as long as it is broad, I'll
give ten dollars now, and I'll go home
with you first and get the mare, and
afterwards, you can send, or can come
for the mule at any time"
"Any way, Jeems, !" replied Mr..
Snow.
The money was paid. and Jim and
the old man started The next day
when the crowd had met to decide
the bet, Jim, was there. and giving
/ his experience as follws:
"The old man and | went along
very cozily together, talking about
everything in the world but our trade:
This question ! lodged; | was afraid
to open my lips until ] got my mare
safe. At last we reached the old
mans honse. He said to me, as we
entered the yard
"Jeems, my son, there is your
mare-you can take her away with
you"
-And boys, if there warn't the old
mare layin' as dead as door nail
rrho ,,f,,r,,oJ ,,.,cc ,liad the came nJpht