Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-09-27
MistcllamtnMs.
The Old Mans Colt.
A New Years Adventure.

The snow was falling right checrily on
the last day Of the year 1s5-, and al
ready there lay upon the ground sufficient
to make most excellent sleighing. The
youngsters were enjoying the fun in the
roads, the country sledges were rattling
by, filled with rosy-chcek ID girls, and
merry lads the more eleaeant turnouts
from the cty-iourteen miles distant
occasionally fitted past the tavern door
where was tarrying temporarily, and
the season was peculiarly gay, as the hol-
idays were passing away.
In the bar room of the country hotel
where sojourncd, had right heartily
enjoyed the various samples of human
character | met, and had for week day
and evening, had an opportunity to listen
to the "yarns" of the villagers, or the nu-
mcrous visitors who congrcgatcd in the
old tavern, which had for many long
year been the resort of hundreds Of farm
/ crs, cowboys, horse lockics, and trayell-
crs, of one Kind and another, en- route
to the city or homcward.
had given out among the settlers that
| wished to purchase good horsc-if
one chauccd to turn up during my stay at
/ the tavern-and all hands were on the
i lookout for me; for it was understood
that would pay, for such an animal as |
tancicd, a liberal price.
Whether any of my newly made ac-
quaintanccs aided the seller or not never
knew but there came along on this very
afternoon alluded to, the last day Of De-
ecmbcr, ls5--, young man from YER
mont so he said, and guess he did, who
drove up to the door grayish looking
beast, that attracted my attention at once,
for he was a good stopper, and he came
in in gallant style.
whoa y shouted the driver, as he
jumped from the heavy old sleigh upon
the doorstep. and flung the reins careless
ly over the da,her, as the stable boy came
to look after the new arrival.
That's .Jcm Saltum ~ said one of the
bar-room loungcrs. Hes from Brattlc-
boro, and he's got 4 good un. He never
comes down with anything but good uns
cythcr.'
Perhaps this remark was intended for
my benefit and perhaps not. heard 1t,
bat seemed not to observe it.
An hour afterwards Jem Saltum es-
eonecd himself before the great bar-room
fire and ordered mug OF Hip, and COM
mcnccd lcisurely to smoke a short six,
and sip hi, nectar, as he called it,
| had been out to the stable and eXamin-
ed his colt--a beautiful bright bay, with
heavy tail and main, well put together in
limb, and very stylish in action-and |
concluded to buy him. As yet had
said nothing to Jem SaItum, however, and
he had observed a marked silence after
entering the house ! waited for him to
open up to me or to some one around, but
he smoked and drank his flip, and looked
into the great blazing fire, and finally
seemed to be dropping into a doze.
/ 1t was a cold night, that of the 3lst
Of December, ls5-. The snow had
Ceased falling, and the prospect of glori-
ous good ,lcighing for New Years Day
wa, never more promising. | waited for
Jem Saltum to begin, bat he said not a
word about his horse, and so, at last, |
went into him
\ good looking horse YOU drove down
to-day. | remarked, by way Of COM
meneement.
lie did not reply, but opened his eyes
laziiy then continued to seem to be sleep
ing
"a young one? queri2d.
! Did you speak to me, sir - he asked
looking up.
Il was saying you drove a nice looking
colt -
80, yes That's tho old man's, that
is. 3"
F." For salc2'
i" No, not cxacly. That is, reckon
the old man wouldn't agree to sell him tor
no reasonable price. y
WHO is the old man you speak of? -
"Who? Why he's my uncle; the man
| live with y
"What are his qualities -
" Whose, the ole mans ? e"
" No; the colts.
40, | thought you meant my uncle
Wal, the hoss is what We call, upn our
county, good un. He gifts up wall, all
round, is five year old comm six, square
trotter, way down in the fortics, sound as
a new dollar, good size, never SHES or
bolts, fraid of nothn' but whip, and on
the road he takes it all his own way |
don't think the ole man'll sell, though,
anyway" continued Jem and he turned
round in his chair and began to settle
himself down for another nap.
made up my mind to purchase that
colt--or at least to try him--so | added,
" Is he fast ="
u told you just now that he was COM
in six and could foot it down in the for
ties. That'll do, reckon, for a five year
old, stranger.
AYES, yes. Have you any objection to
let me see him move"
None in the world, sir. Tomorrow. y
Yes, The slipping will be fine, aud
would like TO buy good horse, - | ad-
ded, if can light on one that suits me-
every way, and that don't come too high. u
Jem Saltum knew all this before. But
| did not know whether he wished to sell
or not and | thot he didn't.
Yes. Wal, then, tomorrow we will
take a turn with the colt, and you shall
see him 60. But as near as | can cal
late, from what the ole man said, when
left home he don't keer to sell him any