Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-08-30

again, and gave him the customary saluta-
tion of the season. .t. .r
oHappy New Year, sill" said pleasantly.
"Wal, vas, so IL isl New Years Day
an very nice 'un 1t is"
"How's the pony this morning2" ] en-
quired.
"oh, nicely--never better. Vas, see.
You're the gentleman as spoke about him
last night night"
ayes; and we'll give him trial when
you're ready" added.
tYas, we'll try him-but don't believe
the ole man cares to sell him. insisted Jem.
However, we got aboard light cutter,
and at last we started for jaunt, to test
the speed and mettle of the horse had
been so favorably struck with at first sight,
and away we went followed by half dozen
good 'uns, rugged out at the tavern stables,
to see and help enjoy the promised sport.
The handsome bay colt proved "hyer."
How fast he could trot could not say, but
he distanced all competitors for q mile
two, five, six, seven miles-and returned to
the hotel in gallant style, at his top gait,
without showing the slightest sign of dis
tress. He was a splendid roadster, and
Just what wanted.
"What do you ask for him ~ said at last.
oval, as 1 sed before, don b'lieve the
ole man keers to part with him--leastways
he could get two hundred an half for
him."
"Thats big price for a fve-year DID," I
said.
oval, he amt no fool of colt, mind.
The ole man won't take less.'
"Tll give you two hundred dollars" 1
Tbic n 1aottpd o,1p, fNN, bnrea in
those days.
"No the ole man wouldn't be satisfied, +"
insisted Saltum; Ghd he turned the horses
head to the stable as entered
concluded very shortly to take the colt,
at Jem's price, however, and about an hour
afterward said: "Well, Saltum, think I'll
trade with you. It's too much for q FIVE
year old, but I'll give you two hundred and
half"
"Wall," said Jem, slowly, "railly don't
think the ole man d like to sell him for that,
any how; and guess I'll take him to the
city, where I'll get his valoo."
"But you only asked two hundred and
fifty for the colt"
oval, you didn't take me up eyther, did
yeW
"Not at the moment-I."
''Wal, sharp's the word, yer know, in
hoss trade. But Tn quite sartin the ole
man would not be satisfied with less'n three
hundred"
"Three hundredW I exclaimed. "Well,
/ won't do it-thats all"
"No more; 1 wouldn't, mister, if I was
you. Cos you can't alters tell about five-
year old if he is smart and purity. He
might break down; and l can sell him in
the city easy"
wanted the horse, but let him 60.
And did not see Jem Saltum till afternoon,
when he turned the nag out for exercise
again, and whisked up and down before the
door, to the admiration of everybody who
saw him.
"Saltum," / said" "come, didn't mean
to do it, but like your horse. Give me q
bill for him--Tll take him for three hun
dred, though it's great price for him."
"Well, mister" said the scamp, coolly,
'since this mornin' I've made up my mind
that he can go faster than we thought he
could, and l can take three hundred and q
half for him of man up the road here.
I've therefore concluded that the ole man
won't be satisfied unless do the best l can;
| though, rally, 1 don't believe the ole man
would allow me to sell him any way"
|
said, not little vexed at the sharp prac-
tice of my green appearing friend from
Vermont. "Iou get no four hundred dol
lars out of me for that horse"
"No, | spose not mister. But there
needn't be no hard feelin's atween US. He's
q dreadful good colt and the ole man would
not be satisfied unless he brought him a
! good price, I'm sure"
With these words Sultum returned his
dashing pony to the stable once more
was bound to buy this horse, and think,
now, that Jem Sultum knew it. But four
hundred dollars was an awful figure,
thought. Still fearing the fellow would
dodge me again, 1 mustered courage, and
before retired at night, l said good ma.
turedly, as Jem sat sucking his flip:
"Well, Sultum, we have had good deal
Of talk"
"Yaas, we hev"
"And l like your horse"
"I know you do"
"And I'll give you four hundred dollars
for him-though ] never believed l should
be such fool as to pay like this for sim
gle horse"
The Vermont sharper shook his fip-mug,
and drained it to the bottom slowly, and re-
piled:
"After all we've said, Mister their amt
no man I'd rather'd hev that hoss than
you. But I'm bound to do what's right, an
at the same time 1 must not forget the ole
man that raised the colt. Eff l can't get i've
hundred for the pony, don't believe the
ole man will be satisfied, an I've concluded
to take him back to Vermont accordingly
"Five hundred dollarsp Iyelled: "why
you're crazy. Or perhaps you think Pm Q
fool" l added rising. 'Good night sir
l trust you'll get five hundred dollars fol
your fve-year-old. That is q hundred {
year, exactly" And went to bed in higl
dudgeon.
"lie's plaguey quick at figures, anyhow
remarked Jem drily, as | retired. AnC
very shortly afterward he went to bed him
self
When came down the next morning tn
colt stood in the sleigh at the front door
and Jem was just ready, apparently, I
leave. The golden opportunity to becom
the owner of really fine animal was abou
to pass from me, and / coveted the bea'
inWardly and in earnest
(Which way, Jem? l asked.
"To town. Afore night I'm going to he
my price for this colt, or my name ain
Jem Sultum."
"How much do you ask for him to day
said, tartly.
"wal, Mister, I've thought it all over, al
as good horses amt plenty just now, T.
made up my mind that the ole man never
J be satisfied if l didn't bring $500 for q