Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-05
THE OLD MANS COLT
Anew Years Adventure,

excellent sleighing. The youngsters were en-
joying the fun in the roads, the country sledges
were rattling by, filed with rosy-cheeked
girls, and merry lads; the more elegant turn
oUts from the city-fourteen miles distant
occasionally fitted past the tavern-door, where
was tarrying, temporarily, and the season
was peculiarly gay, as the holidays were pass
ing away.
In the bar-room of the country hotel where
IsoJourned / had right heartily enjoyed the
various samples Of human character 1 met,
and had for week, day and evening, had
the opportunity to listen to the yarns of the
villagers, or the numerous visitors who con-
gregated in the old tavern, which had for
many long year been the resort of hundreds
of farmers, cowboys, se-jockies, and trad
ers Of one kind or another, en- route to and
from the city, or homeward.
had given out among the settlers that
wished to purchase a good horse-if one
chanced TO turn up during my stay at the
tsvern-snd all hands were on the look k-out
for me; for it was understood that would pay
for such an animal as fancied n liberal price
Whether any Of my newly made acquaint-
ances aided the seller or not, L never knew;
but there came along on this very afternoon
alluded to, the last day Of December, 1856, a
young man from Vermont $50 he said, and
guess he did, who drove up to the tavern
door greyish-looking beast that attracted my
attention at once, for he was a good stopper,
aEd he came in 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 dasher, as the stable boy came to look after
the new arrival.
That's Jem Saltum," said one of the bar
room hangers-on. He's from Brattleboro' and
he's got good 'un. He never comes down
with anythin' but good 'uns, eyther."
Perhaps this remark was intended for my
benefit, and perhaps not. 1 heard it, but
seemed not to observe il.
An hour afterwards Jem Saltum ensconsed
himself before the great bar-roOm FIRE, ordered
mug OF flip, and commenced lsisurely to
smoke short six and sip his % nectar" as he
called it. / had been out to the stable and
examined his colt-a beautiful bright bay
with heavy tail and name, well put together
in limb, and very stylish in action-and
concluded to buy him. As yet 1 had said
nothing to Jem Saltum, however, and he had
observed marked silence after entering the
house l waited for him TO open up to me, or
20 some one around, but he smoked and drank
his Zip, and looked into the great blazing fire,
and finally seemed to be dropping into a doze.
1t was a cold night, that 3lst day Of Decem-
Der, lS5-. The snow had ceased falling, and
the prospect Of glorious good sleighing for New
Years Day was never mere promising. /
waited for Jem Saltum to begin, but he said
not word about his horse, and 80, at last,
went at him.
"a good looking nag you drove down to-
day remarked, by way Of commencement.
He did not reply, but opened his eyes lszily,
then continued TO seem to be sleeping
" A young 'un ?' queried.
Speak to me, sir ," he asked, looking up
Il was saying you have nice-looking
coIt''-
Oh, yaas. That's the ole mans, that is"
"No-not edsackly. That is. 1 reck'n the
ole man wouldn't agree to sell him for no rea-
sOnable price"
= Who's the old man you speak off,
"Wko2 Wy, he's my uncle; the man
live with.
What are his qualities ?"
"Whose2 The old man's'''
a. No; the colts"
sob, / thought you mesnt my uncle. Wal,
the hoss is what we call, up'n our country, a
good 'un. lie gifts up well, all round, is five
year old, comm six, square trotter, way down
IN the forties, sound as a new dollar, good size,
never SHES or bolts, 'fraid O. nothin' but
whip, and on the road he takes it all his own
way. / don'L think the ole mani sell, though,
anyhow" continued Jem; and he turned
round and began to settle himself down in his
chair for another nap.
made up my mind to purchase the colt-or
at least to try bim-so / added, " Is he fast 90
81 told you, just now, that he was comm
SIX and could foot it down in the forties
ThatH do, / reek'n, for FIVE yesr-old, stran-
ger"
"Yss, yes. Have you any objection to let
me see him moye'"
+" None in the world, sir. Tomorrow"
eyes. The slipping will be fine, and
would like to buy good horse, added, " if
can light on one that suits me, every way,
and that don't come too high"
Jem Saltum knew all this before. But
did not know whether he wished to SELL and
thought he didn't.
fnrn with the rolf nd ahal him
But as near S can cal'late, from what the ole
man said, when left home, be don't keer to
sell him, any way"
And with this consolatory remark, Jem Salt
um fell sound asleep Tor certainly appeared toy
before the big bar-roOm FIRE.
At an early hour next morning met Jem
asain, and gave him the customary salutation
Of the season.
Happy New Year, sir. - said I, pleasantly.
wal, yas, so it is. New Years Day-an'
very nice 'un it is, to be sure"
@ How's the pony this morning." opening
the subject again.
"0h, nicely-nevsr better. Yaas, I see.
You're the gent as spoke about him last night.
Yes; and we'n give him q trial when you
are quite ready" / added.
"Yaas, wen try him-but don't b'lieve
the ole man cares to sell him, insisted Jem.
However, we got aboard Of a light cutter,
and at h.s we started for jaunt, to test the
speed and mettle Of the horse / had been so IA
Vorsbly struck with at first sight, and away
We went, followed by half q dozen good 'uns,
rugged out at the tavern stables, to see and
help enjoy the promised sport.
The handsome bay colt proved "fyer. I"
How fast he could trot could not say, but he
distanced all competitors for mile-two, five,
ak, seven miles-and returned to the hotel, in
gallant style, at his top gait, without showing
the slightest signs Of distress, too. He was a
splendid roadster, and just what wanted.
what do you ask for him ?" said /, at last.
Wal, as sed afore, don't b'lieve the old
man keers to part with him-leastways he
could get tew hunderd an hat for him"
. That's a big price for 5-year old, y said
'Wal, he aint no fool Of a colt, mind. The
ole man won't take less. -
"I'll give you two hundred dollars, said.
This was a round sum for horse in those days.
No; the old man wouldn't be satisfied. -
insisted Saltum; and he turned his horse 3 head
20 the stable, as entered the tavern.
concluded very shortly to take the colt-at
Jem's price, hOweyer-and about an hour af-
terwsrd said: "Weil. Saltum, think I'll
trade with you. It's too much for a fve-year
old hut Till Oiva vor. ha tvn hupArad and q