Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-09-13
friday, SEPTEMBER l3, 1861.
MIS- Ell l. A N Y.
THE OLD MANS COLT.
A New Years Adventure.

A New Years Adventure.
Tho snow was falling right chccrily on
the last day OF the year lsS-. and already
there lay upon the ground sufficient to make
most excellent slo'shins. Tho youngsters
were enjoying the fun in tho roads. the
country 'lcdss were ratilins by, filed with
roy-chcskcd girls, and merry lads; the
more clegan, turnouts from the city-four-
teen miles Enthusiastically aitted past
the tavern door where was tarrying ten
porsfily. 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 en-
joyed the various samples Of human char
acter | met. and had for wcck, day and
evening. bad an opportunity to listen to the
yarns" Of the villagers, or the numerous
visitors who congrsgatsd in tho old tavern.
which had for many n long year bcOn the
resort Of hundreds Of farmers. cowboys.
horse, ,jockics. and travellers, Of one kind
aud another, en- route TO the city or home
ward.
had given out among thc settlers that
wished to purchase a good horc-if one
CHANGED TO turn up during my stay a, the
avorn-asd all hands were on tho look out
for me for il was understood that would
pay, for such an animal as I faneieI, lib
eral price.
/ Whether any Of my newly made acquAin'
tauoc. aided the ,,iicr or no, never knsw
bu, there came along On this very afternoon
alluded to, tho last day Of December, ,is3-.
a young man from Vermont ('o he said,
and guess he did, who drove up 20 the
door a grcyish looking beast, that attracted
my attention at once. for hc was good
stopper, aud he came in in gallan, style.
/ Whoa shouted the driver. as be
jumped from the heavy old sleigh upon the
door stop. and dung the reins carel''.ly over
the dA.her, as tho stable boy came to look
after the new arrival.
That's Jcm Sal,um 80 said one OF the
bar.room loungc-. He. from Brat,Is.
b1ro, aud hos got good un. lle never
come. down with anything but good un,
oythsr"
. Perhaps this remark was intended for my
benefit and perhaps not | heard 1t, but
seemed not to observe il.
An hour afterwards Jem Sal,um cnsconccd
himself before the great bar rom fro and
ordered mug Of dip, and commenced lcis.
urcly TO smoke o short Elk. aud zip his
nectar rs he called 1t. had been out
TO the stable and examined hi. col,-a beau.
,iful brish, bay, with heavy tail and name.
we'll pa, together in limb, and very stylish
Y in ac,ion--and concluded u buy bin. As
We, had said nothing TO Jem Siltum, how.
ever. and he had observed a marked silence
after entering the house. waited Tor him
% open up % inc or 10 some ono around,
but be smoked and drank his ilip,and looked
into the great blazing Gre and finally seemed
TO bc dropping into dore.
1, was cold night. that OF the 3i,t Of
December. lsj--. The snow had ceased
falling, and the prospect Of glorious good
s,eishing for New Years Day never was
more promising. waited for Jsm Sal, um
to begin. bu, he said no, word abou, hi,
horse. and 90, a, la't. went to him.
"A good looking horse you drove down
to. day." remarked, by way Of commence
nett.
lilo did not reply, but opened his eyes Ia.
rly then continued to seem to bc sleeping.
"A young opc'" qucricd.
.Did you speak to me, sir ?" be asked.
looking up.
81 wa. saying you drove nice looking
COLT
80. yss. That's tn, old mans, tha. is"
"For sale ?"
"No. not c1racly. Tha. i., reckon the
olo man wouldn't agree 30 sell him for no
reasonable price"
"whos the old man you speak off,
"wbo? Why, hos my uncle; the man
I live with"
"what are his qualities ~
Whose, tho ole man's"
"No the colts"
90, thought you meant my uncle. Wal,
the hoss 10 what wc call, up'n our country.
a good un. lIo git, up wall, all round, i,
Eve year old comm six, square troitsr, way
down in the forties, sound rs new dollar,
good size, never shie, or bolts, irald Of
notbin' but whip, and on tho road he
takes i. all his own way. don'tthink the
old man'll sell, though, anyway" oontin.
ued Jsm. and he turned round aud began
TO settle himself Gown in his chair for an.
other nap.
made up my mind to purchase that colt
or at least to try him-so | added, lie
he fas,?"
81 told you just now that he was comm
SIX and could foo, i, down in the fOrties.
Tha.ll do, | reckon, for five year old,
stranger
"Yes. yes. Have you any objection to
let me sec him mo,s?'
"None in the world. sir. Tomorrow. F"
Yes. Tho slipping will be fine, and ]
would like to buy good borse," added
Z" il can light on one that suits me. every
way, and that don't como too high"
Jem Saltum know oil this before. Bot
did not know whether ho wished to sell |;
and tbo't he didn't.