Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-10-27
THAT AWFUL UGLY HOSS
OR SAM vARNEY's VENTURE


frequently been employed in bringing loads OF
produceto the Boston market, and had made
sales quite satisfactory to his employers. On
several occasions he had made little specula-
tions of his own which were quite profitable.
On one of his visits to Boston, Sam had fall
len in with sailor, who was native of the
same town where he himself born, and
they had great deal of conversation. One
of the interesting facts which Sam learned
from his townsman was, that sailors we're oc-
casionally permitted to take out small rem
fure, as it was called, of their own, little
package of goods, a barrel of mackerel, or
something OF that sort, which would not take
up much room in the vessel. This they sold
and brought home the proceeds in the produce
Of the country they visited.
On his return home, Sam meditated pro-
founaly on this subject; and finally concluded
to make voyage TO the West Indies, and
take venture with him. The neXt-question
was what this venture should be. He had
nothing on hand at the time but small horse,
which he had won IN a rattle, and, had not yet
been able to dispose of. He was not vers
beautiful horse. On the contrary, he was
generally pronounced by the neighbors can
awful ugly boss.'' His neck was too short
his head was too long. His body was lean
and scraggy. His name rough and
fractory, and persisted in standing up too
much in spite of trimming and grooming, and
his tail looked like mop. But Sam had rid
den him repeatedly, and found that he was
capable of great speed in running.
The sailor had told Sam that whole cargoes
of horses were frequently sent from Connect
icut to the West Indies, and disposed of at
large profit. So he determined that his horse
should be his venture. Accordingly he noun
ted him, rode down TO Boston, put him into
a stable and went in search of his sailor friend.
He soon found him. and communicated his
plan. His acquaintance, Tom Standish by
name, was afraid he would not be able to car
ry it out; but promised TO lend all the assis-
tance in his power. He had just shipped in
vessel bound for Jamaica, and more hands
were wanted. He introduced him to the cap
tain, who made no objection to shipping him
as q green hand. When the question of the
venture came up, there was difhculty. He
had no accommodation for a horse on board
the brig. Sam offered to put him on deck and
take care of him. This would be inconve-
nicnt and would interfere with his duty. De-
termined TO carry his point, Sam offered TO
pay freight, cash down, before sailing and
the captain, rather amused at his pertnacity,
and curious to how the venture would
succeed, agreed to the~proposal. SO the
horse was shipped, and the vessel sailed.
Sam was the butt of the sailors during the
whole passage out. There was no end to their
jeers at the appearance of the little horse.
Their nautical Jokes on him were ineXhauSti-
BILE. and Sam Varney's venture consider
ed the most desperate and ridiculous specula-
tion that had ever been attempted.
But Sam was perfectly imperturbable. He
answered all their railleries good naturedy,
and told them ssthey had better wait and see
the upshot. He had never made bad specu-
lation yet, and he guessed he knew what he
was about. The hoss was not avery handsome
hoss, but he was n very good one. he guess
ed he could sell him.
At length the brig arrived at Kingston, ia
maica, and Sam soon had his horse landed
and stabbed. When he came to offer him for
sale, nobody seemed inclined to buy The
horse was decidedly too ugly for a saddle or
gig horse and the very draymcn turned up
their noses at him. Presently the races came
on, and every body was hurrying out of town
to the background.
Sam mounted his horse and rode ont with
the rest. He looked on with much interest at
the first race. He observed that the horses
were not remarkable for their speed. There
appeared to be no Thoroughbred blood-horSes
among them and he concluded that the races
had been got up by the planters from their
love of sport, without having any real race
horses on the island. He believed that his
little horse could beat them all; and he de-
termined at all hazards to give him trial.
So he went to the maragers and offered to en-
ter him for the next race.
Sans proposition was received with shouts
of laughter. Ii was considered capital joke
But Sam told them ii was no joke. He was
perfectly serious. He wanted TO run his horse
against the whole field, and was ready to bet
on him. He was accordingly entered, and
instantly heavy odds were offered against him.
Two to one, five to one, and, finally, one plan
ter offered twenty to one.
On hearing this offer, Sam said he would
take it. 1t was necessary to produce the a
mount of his bet. He was in the dress of
common sailor, and his antagonist said that he
was not going to be trifled with, the stakes
must be deposited with managers. How much
would he bet? ssFive hundred dollars,' re-
piled Sam. ssWell, down with your DUST"
said the planter Whereupon Sam took off
leather belt which he had round his waist, un-
der his clothes, and counted ont five hundred
dollars in doubloons. The planters check
was pronounced satisfactory, and received by
the managers. Many other bets were made
by different persons, with heavy odds against
Sans horse.
When Sam rode up TO the starting place
there wore shouts of laughter at his appear
ance, and the most unsparing censures OF his
presumption in entering on the race. Sam
paid no attention to this, but started with the
rest; and it soon became apparent that he was
not such fool as they took him to be. He
was among the foremost in two minutes; and
at the end of the race, sthat awful ugly hoss''
was pronounced clearly and unequivocaily
the victor.
Sam coolly received his doubloons back a
gain, and put them in his belt, together with
the planters check for ten thousand dollars,
which was afterward duly honored.
He offered TO bet on another race, but there
were no takers. For this, however, he was
compensated by the most liberal offers for his
horse. Five hundred dollars, a thousand,
fifteen hundred, two thousand, were bid for
him. This last figure being the highest, Sam
accepted it. 81
On his return to the brig, Sam learned tnat