The constitutional union., 1861-03-08
SLEEPY DA HE; OR, THE TIN-PEDDLER'S s
 RUSE.

The following story is an old one, but it is "sich good 'un," that it will bear frequent repetition.
 l "It was this day, three years ago, on this spot that entered my horse Southerner for a purse of two thousand dollars. In short he was the best horse at that time in South Caro- ina There were, to be sure, two other horses, and very fine ones too entered against him, but they were no touch to the sSouth~,'si, and I was as sure of winnin@ =" ain 'iia, ! am sitting here th;~ anoment-When, who sbould con,- sIong but a Yankee with tin cart. f He had the shabbiest, worst-looking horse I 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 just such horse as would not have brought twenty dollars.
 | "It was near the hour of starting, when the peddler, whose exterior corresponded marvel l lously with that of his horse, and who said his name was Zadock Berbec, to the astonish- ment of all, intimated the wish to enter his horse with the rest l Your horse" exclaimed I-"what, that sleepy looking devil? You'd better enter him for the buzzards."
 "Not as you knows on, Mister" resumed tle Yankee with show of spirit "To be sure the critter looks rather sleepy, and on that account call him Sleepy David; but he's jo-fred good horse for all that. He's like singed cat, darned sight better nor he looks. I'd like to try him against some of your South Carolina hosses. To be sure don't come all the way from home on that purpose; but as was coming out this way on load of tin and other notions, 1 thought might time it to kill two birds with one stone for, thinks I to myself, if can win the purse and peddle of my notions at the same time, shall make good spec. But 1 had to hurry on like the nation to get here in time; and that's one reason why my horse looks so shab- by and out of fix this morning. But for all that he'll perform days work, tell you" Supposing he had no idea of running his horse, and that all he said was merely to grat- ify his propensity for talking, bade him begone and not trouble me with his Yankee palaver.
 "Why, mister" said he, "this is free country, and man has right to talk or let 1t alone, just as he can afford. Now, I've taken great deal of pains to get here this morning, in order to run Sleepy David, agin some of your Southern hosses. ain't jokin' sir; I'm in airnest. I understand there is a purse of two thousand dollars, and 1 should like amazing to pick it up" . "You talk of picking up two thousand dol lars with that bit of carion of yours Away with you, and don't trouble me any further"
 Well, if can't run, 1 suppose I can't, but it's darned hard any how for man to take so much pains as have to come up to the races, and then can't run after all.
 "It's too late now; by the rules of the course, the horse should have been entered yesterday; however, if you'll plank the en- trance money, perhaps you may get in yet
 said this by way of getting rid of the fel- low, having no idea that he could command a fourth part of the sum required
 How much might the entrance money bel? drawing out purse containing few shillings in silver, and few pence in copper. If 'taint more than a quarter-dollar or so, I'll plank it on the nail"
 1t Is two hundred dollars"
 1.-Two hundred" exclaimed the Yankee. By gauley, what price Why, they axed me only twenty-five cents to see the hull car avan in NexfYork. Two hundred dollars :. Why, you must be joking now; bless me- my hull load of tin-ware, hoss, wagon and all wouldn't fetch that. But, Mister, don't you think 1 can get in for ten dollals?"
 "Nothing short of two hundred, and that must be paid in five minutes"
 We now thought we had got rid of the fel- low, but he returned to the charge and asked if fifty wouldn't do, then seventy, and then d hundred, and finding that he could not make a bargain for less than the regular sum, he engaged to give it, provided he could find any one to loan the money, for which he would pawn his wagon load of notions, and Sleepy David" to boot. He asked one. and then another to accommodate him with loan - declaring that if he ever took the purse, the money should be returned, and he would give a dozen tin whistles into the bargain. He, however, got more curses than coppers, until some wag, who had plenty of cash, and liked to see the sport go on, lent him the two hun dred out of clear malice. It afterwards turned out that the Yankee had plenty of money about him, and was merely playing possum all the while.
 His next object was to borrow saddle. In this he was also accommodated, and taking Sleepy David" from the tin-cart, scrambled upon his back, and took his place on the race course. Every one said he would fall before he had gone hundred yards and some, out of compassion, urged him to withdraw.
 Not by darned sight" exclaimed he Do you think I am a darned fool to pay two hundred dollars and then withdraw, and not run arter ally"
 Others who wanted to see the sport thought it would cost some broken bones encouraged him to proceed, saying they had no doubt he would carry of the purse.
 "Thats what I mean to do" said he, "ain t come here for nothing, 1 can tell. Wake up Dave, and look about you; you must have your eyes open to-day. It's no time to be snoozing when there is money at stake"
 The horse, as if he understood his master, pricked up his ears, and actually began to show signs of life.
 The signal was given to start. Away | hounded ss Southarp D with tbo onood of liobt