Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-08-30
THE OLD MANS COLT.
A NEW YEARS ADVENTURE.

The snow was falling right cheerily, on
The last day of the year lS5-, and already
there lay upon the ground sufficient to make
most excellent Staying. The youngsters
were enjoying the fun in the roads, the
country sledges were rafting by, filed with
rosy checked girls and merry lads; the more
elegant turnouts from the city-fourteen
miles distant-occasional fitted past the
tavern door, where l was tarrying, tempo
rarily and the season was peculiarly gay,
as the holidays were passing away.
In the bar-room Of the country hotel where
/ soiourned, 1 had right heartily enjoyed
the various samples of human character l
met; and had, for week, day and even
ing, had the opportunity of listening to the
"yarn" of the villagers, or the numerous
visitors who congregated in the old tavern,
which had for many long year been the
resort of hundreds of farmers, cowboys,
horse -iockies, and travellers of one kind or
another, en- route to and from the city, or
homeward bound.
1 had given out among the settlers that
wished to purchase q good horse-if one
CHANGED to turn up during my stay at the
tavern-and all hands were on the look out
for me, for it was understood that would
eral price.
Whether any of my newly made acquaint-
ances aided the seller or not | never knew;
but there came along, on this very afternoon
alluded to, the last day of December, 1Sj-,
a young man from Vermont, $50 he said,
and / guess he did!) who drove up to the
tavern door gayish looking beast, that at
tracted my attention at once, for he was a
rrond cto on5 ba On mn ~, ool1o,,t
"Who-aW 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 arrival
"Thats Jem Saltum," said one of the bar
room loungers. dies from Brattleboro'
and he's got good 'un. He never comes
down with any thing but good 'uns eyther"
Perhaps this remark was intended for my
benefit, and perhaps not. I heard it, but
seemed not to observe it.
An hour afterward, Jem Saltum ensconsed
himself before the great bar-room fire, or
dered q mug Of flip, and commenced leis-
urely to smoke a short six, and sip his
''nectar," as he called it. had been out to
the stable, and examined his colt-a beau
tiful bright bay, with heavy tail and name,
well put together in limb, and very stylish
in action-and concluded to buy him.
AS yetsI had said nothing to Jem Saltum,
however, and he had observed marked
silence on entering the house. waited for
Jem Saltum to open up TO me, or some one
around, but he smoked and drank his hip,
and looked into the great blazing fire, and
finally seemed to be dropping into doze.
1t was cold night, the 3lst day of De-
cember, 1856. The snow had ceased fall
ing, and the prospect of glorious good
sleighing was never more promising.
waited for him to begin, but he said not
word about his horse, and so, at last, went
TO him.
"a good looking nag you drove down TO-
day" | remarked, by way of commence
ment.
He did not reply, but opened his eyes
lazily, then continued to seem to be sleeping.
"a young 'un ?" queried.
ibid you speak to me, sir?" he asked,
looking up.
81 was saying you had nice looking
colt"
ooh, yaas That's the old mans, that
is"
"For sale ?"
"No-not edzactly. That is, I reckon
the old man wouldn't agree to sell him for
no reasonable price"
"Who's the old man you speak of"
"Who? Why he's my uncle; the man ]
live with"
"What are his qualities ~
"Whose? The old man's?n
'No; the colts"
"0h, | thought you meant my uncle
Wal, the hoss is what we call up'n our coun
try good 'un. lie gets up we'll, all round
is FIVE years old, coming six, square trotter
way down in the forties, sound as a ney
dollar, good size, never SHES or bolts, 'frai
of nothin' but whip, and on the road h
b takes it all his own way. don't think tn
old man'll sell though, anyhow" continue
Jem; and he turned around and began [
settle himself down in his chair for anothe
nap.
/ made up'my mind to purchase that col
or, at least try him, so l added "Is
fast"
81 told you, just now, that he was comir
six, and could foot it down in the fortie
Thatll do, / reck'n, for a fve-year olC
stranger
ayes, yes. Have you any objection to lie
me see him moVeP
"NOne in the world, sir. Tomorrow,
you wish"
"Yes. The slipping will be fine, and
would like to buy good horse" l added
'if ! can light on one that suits me, ever.
way, and that does not come too high"
Jem Saltum knew all this before But
did not know whether he wished TO sell
and I thought he didn't
"fes. Wal, then, tomorrow we will tax
turn with the colt, and you shall see hin
50. But as near as l can callate, from