The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-27

Jem again, and gave him the customary sal
utation of the season.
Happy New Year, sir said l pleasant
| E.
! .Wal, yes, so i: is; New Years day-an' a
very nice 'un it is
.How's the pony this morning" l inquir-
ed.
oh, nicely; never better. Vas, | see.-
You're the gentleman as spoke about him
last night
Yes, and we'll give him a trial when you
are ready 1 added.
.Yas, we'll try him-but don't believe the
old man cares to sell him. insisted Jem.
However, we got aboard light cutter,and
at last We started for a jaunt to test tine speed
aud mettle of the horse had been so fayora-
bly, struck with at first sight, and away We
went followed by half dozen good 'uns,
rugged out at the tavern stables, to see and
help enjoy the promised sport.
: The handsome bay colt proved flyer
How fast he could trot could not say; but
he distanced all competitors for mile-two,
five. SIX, seven miles-and turned TO the ho-
tel in gallant style, at his top gait. without
showing the slightest sign of distress. He
was splendid roadster, and just the thing
wanted.
What do you ask for him" said | at
last.
wal, as | said before, don't believe the
old man keers 10 part with him-leastwise
he could get two hundred and a half for
him.
That's big price for FIVE year DID, ]
said.
sWal, he ant no fool of a colt. The old
man won't take no less
Ill give you two hundred dollars, l said.
This was round sum for horse in those
days.
No; the old man wouldn't be satisfied,
insisted Saltum; and he turned his horses
head to the stables as l entered.
l concluded very shortly to take the colt
at Jem's price, however, and about an hou.
afterwards said:
well, Saltum, think I'll trade with YOU
It's too much for FIVE years old, but III
give YOU two hundred and half
Wal said Jem slowly, 4 don't think the
old man'd like to sell him for that anyhow
and | guess III take him to the city, where
Ill get his value
But YOU only asked two hundred and fifty
for the colt
WA, you didn't take me up eyther, die
ye?'
Not at the moment l.
wal, sharps the word yer know, in hos
trade But I'm quite sartain the old maj
wouldn't be satisfied with less than thre,
hundred
Three hundred"I exclaimed. well,
won't do it, that's all
No more | wouldn't, mister. if was you
Cos YOU can't alters tell about FIVE year ol,
if he is smart and putty. He might breal
down; and can sell him in the city easy
WANTED the horse, but let him 20, ant
did not see Jem Saltum till afternoon, whel
he turned the nag out for exercise again ant
= whisked up and down before the door, TO tn
admiration of everybody who saw him.
'Saltum,' said, come, didn't mean TO j
it, but like your horse. Give me BIZ oi
him. I'll take him at three hundred, thoug
it's great price for him.
We'll, mister said the scamp, coolly, 'sinc
this mornin' I've made up my mind that
can go faster than We thought he could, an
| can take three hundred and half for hil
of man up the road here. I've therefor
concluded that the old man won't be satisfe
, unless do the best can; though, rally,
don't believe the old man man would allo
me to sell him any way
.Confound the old man, and his colt, too
lie | said, not little vexed at the sharp practi
n of my green-appearing friend from Vernon
You get no four hundred dollars out of n
for that horse
| No, spose not, mister. But there net
not be no hard feelin's atween us. He's
dreadful good colt, and the old man wou
not be satisfied unless he brought him go'
price I'm sure
al, With these words Saltum returned h
a dashing pony to the stable once more.
We was bound to buy this horse, and thil
ay now that Jem Saltum knew it. But 70
ar, hundred dollars was an awful figure thougl
h Still fearing that the fellow would dodge 1
it again, mustered courage, and before
i'll tired at night, good naturedly, as Jem s
nd sucking his flip:
NJ Well, Saltum, We have had good deal
talk
olt 'Yas, We hev.'
And like your horse
i know you do
ng 'And Ill give you four hundred dollars
- him-though never believed l should
m such fool as to pay like this for a sin,
horse
me The Vermont sharper shook his ffip-ml