Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-02-28
THE OLD MANS GOTTA NEW YEARS
ADVENTURE.


WRITTEN FOR THE "sFlklr OF THE TINES by THE
yoke 'UN.'
The snow was falling right cheery on the
last day of the year ISL and already there lay
upon the ground sufficient to afford most excel
lent seighing. The youngsters were enjoying the
fun in the roads, the country slpdges were rafting
by filed with rosy-cheeked girls, and merry
lads the more elegant turn-outs from the city
fourteen miles Enthusiastically fitted
past the tavern-door, where | was tarrling,
temporarily, and the season was peculiarly gay
as the holidays were passing away.
In the bar-room of the country hotel where
sojourned | had right heartily enjoyed the
various samples of human character met, and
l had for week, day and evening, had the OPP
portunity to listen to the "yarns" of the vii
layers, or the numerous visitors who congrega-
ted in the old tavern, which had for many Il
long year been the resort Of hundreds of far
mers, cowboys, horse-jockies, and traders of
one kind or another, route to and from the
city, or humeward.
| had given out among the settlers that |
wished to purchase good horse-if one Glanced
to turn up during my stay at the tavern-and
all hands were on the lookout for me- for it
was understood that | would pay for such an
animal as | hncied liberal price.
Whether any of my newly made acqualn-
tanceS aided the setter or not, never knew ;
but there came along on this very afternoon al
mded to. the last day of December, lSj-,
Young man from Vermont ESQ he said, and |
guess he did y who drove up to the tavern door
grcyish looking beast that attracted my at
tenton at once, Cor he was good stopper and
he came in in gallant style
whoa" shou ed the driver; and he jump
ed from the heavy old sleigh upon the doorstep
and flung the reins carclessly over the dasher,
as the stable boy came to look after the new ar
rival.
"rhnts Jem Saltum," said one of the bar
room hangers-on. He's from Brattleboro, and
he's got good 'un. lie never comes down with
anythn but good 'unS eyther.'
Pcrhapsl this remark was intended for my
benefit, and perhaps not. lheard it, but seemed
not to observe,it.
An hour afterwards Jem Saltum ensconced
himself before the great bar room fire, ordered
mug of Zip, and commenced eisurely to smoke
short six and sip his NECTAR" as he called it.
had been out 10 the stable and examined his
colt-a beautiful bright bay, with heavy tail and
name, well pat together in limb and very styl-
ish in action-and concluded to buy him. As
vet had said nothing TO Jem Slltum, however,
and he had observed marked silence after en-
tering the house. ! waited for him to open up
to me, to some one around, but he smok-
ed and drank his flip, and looked into the great
blazing fire, and finally seemed to be dropping
into a dozc.
1t was a cold night, that 3lst day of Deem
Der, lSj-. The snow had ceased falling, and
the prospect Of glorious good sleighing for New
Years Day never more promising.
WI tied for Jpm Sultum to begin, but he said not
a word about his horse, and so, at last, went
at him.
"A good-looling nag you drove down to-
day" remarked, by way Of commencement.
lie did not reply, but opened his eyes, lazly
then continued to seem to be sleeping.
"a young n?' enquired.
"SpcIk 10 me, sir - he asked, looking up.
Il was saying YOU have nice-lookng
colt"
"Oh, yaas. That's the ole mans, that is"
"For SALE"
"No--not edsackly That is, reck N the ole
man wouldn't care to sell him for no reasonable
price"
'Who's the old man you speak OFF,
"IYio? Why he's my uncle the man live
with"
"What are his qualiies?'
"Whose? The old man's?"
'N0; the colts"
"Oh | thought yon ment my uncle. Wal
the boss is what we call, upn our country, 4
good I'm He gifts up WELL all round, is five
year DID, comm six, square trotter way down
in the forties, sound as IA new dollar, good size
never SHES or bolts, 'lral o nothn but whip
on the road he takes it all his own way | don't
think the ole man'll sell. though, anyhow,
continu d Jem and he turned round and begar
to settle himself down in his chair for another
nap.
| made up my mind to purchase the colt-ol
at least to try him---sn | added, "IS he fas, ?"
81 told you, ust now, that he was comm six
and could foot it down in the forlies That'l
do reck'n for five-year old, stranger
"Yes, yes. Have you any objection to let
me see him move?"
"None in the world sir. Tomorrow ?"
"Yes. The slipping will be fine, and woulC
like to buy good horse" | added, "if | cal
light on one that suits me, every way, and tina
don't come too high"
Jem Saltum knew all this before. But die
not know whether he wished to sell 4; and
thought he didn't
Eyes. Wal, then, tomorrow we'll take
turn with the colt, and YOU shall see him 90
Butts near's can cal'lae, from what the oil,
man said, when 1 left home he don't keer tc
sell him, any way"
And with this consolaory remark, Jem Sal
tum fell sound asleep Tor certainly appeared to
before the big bar-room fire.
AT an early hour next morning | met Jen
again, and gave him the customary salutation 0
the season,
"Happy New Year, sir" said, pleasantly.
"Wal, yes, so it is New Years Day-an' I
very nice 'un it is, to be sure"
flows the pony this morning" | asked
opening the subject again.
"Oh, nicely-never better Yaas, / see
You're the gent as spoke about him last night.
"Yes; and we'll give him trial, when YOUR
quite ready" | added.
"Yaas, wen try him-but | don't b'eve thu
ole man cares to sell him." insisted Jem.
However, we got aboard of a light cutter
and at last we started for jaunt to test thu
speed and mettle of the horse had been ST
iavorably struck with, at first sight, and ava,
we went followed by half dozen good 'uns
r'gSeu out at the tavern stables, to see ant
he,P ENJOY the promised sport.
Inc handsome bay colt proved a "Ayer!
How fast he could rot could not say. but h
distanced all competitors for mile-two, five
six, seven milesLand returned to the hotel. il
gallant style, at his top gait, wi,hout Shawn,
the slightest signs of distress, too. He WINS
splendid roadster and just what | wanted
"What do you ask for him ?" said l. n, Inc,
"Wa as | said dfore, don't blieye thn nI
man keers to part with hm-leastwa,s he coul,