The Placer herald., 1858-01-16

|
Ben met him, and laughingly asked if he had
sold the horse, supposing at the same time
that the poor old beast had died by the road
side
"Tell you what it is, Uncle Ben," said
Teat, "that's mighty good specimen of
horsef1esh, for all he's so larned lean, and
think I've got chance to sell him for YOU"
"Sell HIM" calculated Uncle Ben; "who
in thunder would be fool enough to buy that
confounded old crow-bate! Why, you could
not give him away"
"But l tell you have got chance to sell
him, and at what consider a good price,
too. You don't know the value of that
horse, Uuncle Ben; he's worth seventy five
dollars, if he's worth centi'
"ls that honest, Teat?" eagerly asked Uncle
Ben, whose cupidity was now fairly aroused,
and quickly swapping at the bait.
"True as scripture, Uncle Ben. He had a
little touch of the distemper while l was
gone, and so | left him about thirty miles
back to be doctored; but that won't hurt him
you know, and met a man who wants him
bad"
"Nufl said, Teat and we'll try him. If
we sell the horse its my treat-that's ALL"
In the course of few days more, Uncle
Ben made his arrangements to 90 and see
the man who wished to purchase the horse
and accordingly one fine morning, set out,
taking Teat with him. During the interven-
ing time, however, Teat had stuffed" him
well with bright hopes and hattering antici-
patons, and had eulogized the merits Of the
horse to such an extent that Uncle Ben real
y began to think that he was valuable.
Arriving at the residence of the supposed
would-be purchaser, they drove under the
shed, and entered the house, the proprietor
Of which was seated at the window, quietly
smoking his pipe.
"WeI," said Uncle Ben. after the formal
ties of an introduction had been gone thro
with, 81 understand that you have taken
quite fancy to that horse of mine, and
would like to purchase him"
"Yes," was the respo nse, 81 think l would
like to buy him; but what do you want for
him."
"Wel," again resumed Uncle Ben, "as
don't want to winter him, I'll sell him at a
sacriice-give me seventy-fv dollars, and
he's your property. He's cheap as dirt at
that"
The customer seemed to ponder for mo-
ment, and then said:-
"IIave YOU got him with you9 | should
like to see him again before buy"
"lIe's at tavern about mile back on
the road, and if you like, III bring him up,"
was the answer.
The man signfed his assent and back
Uncle Ben and Teat started for the inn. The
horse was brought out, and a bill of ten dol
lars and fifty cents presented for doctorlng
and keeping. This was paid without muir
mur, for Uncle Ben considered he had a sure
thing on the sale, and again they hurried
back to the house Of the supposed victim.
"IIope told fattering tale' to the worthy
peyroaS!
The man examined the horse closely, shook
his head doubtingly, and finally expressed
the opinion that he was hardly worth the
money.
Uncle Ben persisted he was the best horse
in the country-"of his age" but he could
not bring the man to the scratch He would
not think so; though Of verify, Uncle Ben
spoke truly, for there was not another horse
in the country as old as he was. Finally,
however, after considerable dickering, Uncle
Ben grew desperate, and stumped him for an
offer.
Now, again the man dropped his head in
brown-study, seemingly pondering the sub
ject seriously. After the lapse of a few
moments he looked up, when Uncle Ben's
face again frightened.
"Well," says the would-be purchaser, ap-
parently having arrived at conclusion, "as
| want horse of that kind, and you seem
to be pretty liberal kind of man, | feel
disposed to be liberal myself. So, if you'll
stand the liquor, I'll give you eighteen pence
for him, and that's the best I'll do"
Uncle Ben wited, while Teat vamosed the
rancho through the back door, and struck a
bee-line for the barn, where he was found a
short time after in state of suffocation, from
the effect of having stuffed bundle of hay
in his mouth to choke off his "risibiites."
Notwithstanding Uncle Ben's love for a
joke, he could not stand this. Tocome thirty
miles to sell a horse, pay ten dollars and a
half for his keeping, and then be served in
this way, was too much for human endur-
ance. The joke might be very palpable,
but it was altogether too practical. Accord
incly, our friend Teat had to foot it back to
the village. 1t is needless to remark, how
ever, that Uncle Ben never played any more
practical jokes upon him, and that was the
last of his speculations in old horses. He
had indeed been sold at a sacrifice of both
time and money-1eat acas square.
EXODUS OF GoLD.-ln the year 1857 there
were shipped from San Francisco, by steam
ers, $45, 5,36G,o95 II, of which s35, ,3l7,77s