The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-09-26
From the London Leisure Hour
THE OLD HANS COLT.

| utlI vi IuC yeAI IOO-a dDu dlT6Auy tU6Tt VI
on the ground sufficient to make most exceller
sei5hing. The youngsters were enjoying the fu
in the roads, the country sledges were rattlin
by filled with rosy checked girls and merry lad
the more elegant turn-outs from the city-fou
teen miles distant-occasionally fitted past III
tavern door, where was tarrying temperate
and the season was peculiarly gay, as the hoE
days were passing away.
In the bar-room OF the country hotel where
sojourned, had right heartily enjoyed the va
rious samples of human nature had met, and
had, for week, day and evening, an opportu
nifty of listening to the "yarn" of the villagers
CIR of the numerous visitors who congregate
in the old tavern, which had for many lonl
year been the resort OF hundreds of farmers, COW
boys, horse;jockeys, and travellers, of one kim
or another, en- route to and from the city or home
word bound.
had given out among the settlers that
wished to purchase good horse-if one chanc
ed to turn up during my stay at the tavern
and all hands were on the lookout for me; 70
1t was understood that would pay tJr such a
animal as fancied liberal price.
Whether any of my new made acquaintance
aided the seller or not, never knew !; but Their
came along, on this very afternoon alluded t.
the last day of December, 1885,, young maj
from Vermont $50 he said, and l guess he did,
who drove up to the tavern door gayish look
ing beast that attracted my attention at once
for he was good stopper and came in gallant
style.
Whoa = shouted the driver and he jumped
from the heavy old sleigh upon the doorstep
and flung the reins carelessly over the dash, as
the stable boy came to look after the new arri
val
That's Jem Ssltum,' said one Of the bar
room loungers. He's from Brattleboro' ant
he's got good un. He never comes down with
but good uns, eyther.'
Perhaps this remark was intended for me and
perhaps not. heard it, but seemed not to OBJ
serve it.
An hour afterwards Jem Saltum ensconced
himself before the great bar room fire, ordered
" mug of flip and commenced leisurely to smoke
short six, and sip his nectar as he called it.
had been out to the stable and examined his
cola beautiful bright day, with heavy tail
and name, well put togeih her and very stylish
IN acuon--and concluded to buy HIM. As yet
| had said nothing to Jem Saltum, however, and
he had observed a marked silence on entering
the house. l waited for Jem Saltum to open
up 10 me, or some around; but he smoked and
drank his flip and looked into the great fire ,and
tually seemed to be droppius into duze.
1t was cold nighttime thlrty first day of De-
ccmber, 1856. The snow had ceased falling,
and the prospect of glorious good sleghing was
never more promising. waited for him to be-
gin, but he said not word about his horse, and
SO | went to him.
A good looking nag you drove down to-
lay | remarked to him, by way OF commence
nent.
He did not reply. but opened his eyes lazily
and continued to seem to be sleeping
A young Jump queried.
DID you speak to me, sir p he ked, look
ng up.
was saying you had nice looking colt"
Oh, yas. That's the old man 8, that is.
For sale =
No-not edzactly. That is, reckon the
I'D man wouldn't agree to sell him for no res
onable Price
Who the old man you speak off
Who9 Why he's my uncle the man / i've
With.
What are his qualities p
Whose? The ole mans?
Mo- the colts
On, thought you meant my uncle. Val,
he hoss's what We cali JPN our country ,ood |
un. He gets up well all around, is five ears
i'd, coming six, square irotter, way dow in |
he fortress as new dollar good size, ev-
II SHES Or bolts, fraid OF nolhn' buc a whip. |
don't think the old man'l sell, though, any,
low, continued Jem aud he turned around |
nd began to settle himself for another naI
made up my mind to purchase that coitor. |
It least, try hlm-so I added-
: Is he tastl
told you just now that he was comm six |
md could foot it down in the forties. Th& II |
10, I reckon, for five year old, stranger? p
Yes, yes, have you any objection TO let me
zee him novel
None in the world sir. Tomorrow if you
wish
Yes. The slipping will be fne-and wuld
ike to buy good horse, added, Il if can
light on one that suits me every way and hat
Ices not come too high
Jem Saltum knew all this before; but | did
lot know whether he wished to sell am /
hought he didn't
urn with the colt and you shBll see him Ct
But as near as l can cal'late from what the ole
nan said when l left home, he don't keel to
sell him any way
And with this consoatory remark, he fell
sound asleep Cor appeared toy before the big
Jar-room fire.
AT an early hour next morning l met jim
gain and gave him the customary sautatioI of
he season.
Happy New Year, said pleasantly.
Wal, yas, so it is New Years day-snd
| very nice 'un it is
How's the pony this morning 2 inquird
Oh, nicely never better. Vas, see. You
ire the gentleman as spoke about him list
hight.
Yes; We'll give him trial if you re rea(y,
added
Vas, wei try him; but l don't believe he
ia man cares to sell him, insisted Jem
However we got aboard light cutter andat
asst we started for jaunt to test the speed md
neste Of the horse l had been SO favorahy
truck with at first sight, and away we wet,
oilowed by hall dozen good 'uns rugged ont
u the tavern stables to see and help enjoy tie
Promised sport.
ne handsome bay colt proved flyer How
asst he could trot l could not say; but he Gs-
anced all competitors for mile-two-ive-l
lx- seven miles-and returned to the hotel in
,ailant style at his top gait, withou: showing
he slightest sign of distress. He was spln.
I'D roadster and just what wanted.
w hat do you ask for him !? said at last.
Wal, as said before, don't blieve tie
ia man keers to part with him-leastwa VS., ne
'ould get two hundred an half for him.
That's big price for five year old, I sad
WaLhe amt no fool of colt, mind The cid
nan won't take less'
i IL give you two hundred dollars said y
ms was round sum for horse in those days
NO. the ole man wouldn't be satisfied, insist
q Saltum; and he turned his horses head to
he stable as entered.
Concluded very shortly to take the colt, at
EN- price however and about an hour after
Yards said
Well Saltum, think I'll trade with you
Us TOO much for five year old, but I'll give
'ou two hundred and half.
WAL said Jem slowly; rally don't think
he old man'd like to sell him for that, anyhow.
md guess I'll take him to the city, where I'll
,et his valoo'
But you only asked two hundred and fifty
or the COLT
Wall, you didn't take me up eyther, did ye'
NOT at the moment; l.
wall, sharp's the word, yer know, in boss
rade. But I'm sartin the ole man would not
be satisfied with less'n three HUNDRED
Three hundred = exclaimed Well 1 won't
10 1t; that's all
70 more, wouldn't mister if was you
'os you can t alters tell about five year old if
le Is smart and purity. He might break down;