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


The snow was falling right cheerily on the
! last day of the year 1885,, and already there
lay upon the ground sufficient to make most
excellent sleighing. The youngsters were
enjoying the fun in the roads, the country
sledges were rafting by, filled with rosy
checked girls and merry lads; the more ele-
CANT turn-outs from the city fourteen miles
distant-occasionally fitted past the tavern
door, where was tarrying temporarily, and
tie season was peculiarly gay, as the holidays
were passingsaway.
In the bar room of the country hotel where
soiourned had right heartily enjoyed the
various samples of human character l met,
and had, for week, day and evening, the
opportunity of listening to the yarn of the
villagers or of the numerous visitors who
congregated in the old tavern, which had for
many long year been the resort of hundreds
of farmers, COW boys, horse jockeys and trav,
elers of one kind or another, en- route to and
from the city, or homeward bound.
had given out among the settlers that
wished TO purchase good horse If one
chanced to turn up during my stay at the
tavern-and all hands were on the lookou,
for me- for it was understood that | would
pay for such an animal as fancied, liberia
price.
Whether any of my newly made aequaint
ances aided the seller or not, never knew
but there came along on this afternoon allu'
ded to, the last day of December, 1Sj-, q
young man from Vermont $50 he said, and
guess he did, who drove up to the tavern
door gayish looking beast that attracted
my attention at once. for he was good step
per, and he came in in gallant style.
Whoa" shouted the driver; and he jump
ed from the heavy old sleigh upon the door
step, and flung the reins carelessly over th'
dasher as the stable boy came to look afte
the new arrival.
That's Jem Saltum,' said one of the bar
room loungers. He's from Brat,leboro, AM
he's got good 'un. He never comes dowl
with anything but good 'uns, eyther.'
Perhaps this remark was intended for m,
benefit, and perhaps not. l heard it bu
seemed not to observe it.
An hour afterwards Jem Saltum enscon
ced himself before the great bar-room fire
and commenced leisurely to smoke a shor
six. had been out to the stable and exam
ined his colt, a beautiful bright bay, witt
heavy tail and name, we'll put together il
, limb, and very stylish in action and | con
cluded to buy him. AS yet had said moth
ing to Jem Saltum, however, and he ha
preserved a marked silence on entering tn
, house. waited for Jem Saltum to open o.
me or some one around; but he finally seem
, ed dropping into doze.
: 1t was cold night, the 3lst day of Dc
cember, lSj-. The snow had ceased falling
and the prospect of glorious good sleighin
t was never more promising. waited for hir
e to begin, but he said not word about hi
horse, and so went to him.
! "A good looking nag you drove down tc
t, day. remarked to him by way of con
! mencement.
y He did not reply, but opened his eyes la
Il lily, then continued to seem to be sleeping.
e a young 'un?' queried.
d Did you speak to me, sir y he asked, lool
IS ing up.
# i was saving that you had nice-lookin
colt
e oh, yas. That's the old mans, that is
For sale"
'No-not edzactly. That is, reckon Il
old man wouldn't agree to sell for no reaso
able price
IL Who's the old man you speak off,
L. who? Why, he's my uncle; the man
'e live with
III what are his qualities?
Is Whose The old man's?'
II No; the colts
10 'Oh, thought you meant my uncle. W
AZ the hoss is what We call up'n our country
Ill good 'un. He gets up well all around, is Fl
y years old, coming six, square trotter, W
's' down in the forties, sound as a new doll
er good size, never SHES or bolts, fraid of moi
IL ing but whip, and on the road he takes
&c all his own way. don't think the old maj
0e sell, though anyhow continued Jem; a
'st he turned around and began to settle Lii
In' self down in his chair for another nap.
a made up my mind to purchase that c
o' or a: least to try him-so added
ne How fast?'
us 4 told you just now that he was comi
Is six, and could foot it down in the forties
ne Thatll do, l reckon, for FIVE year old, str
Use ger
er- Yes, yes, have you any objection to let
as see him move
bs, None in the world, sir. Tomorrow, if !
IA wish
lbs 'Yes. The slipping will be fine, ant
he would like to buy good horse l added,
ar l can light on one that suits me every "
yer and does not come too high
ith Jem Saltum knew all this before. Bu
lit did not know whether he wished to sell,
en- thought he didn't.
ICE, Yes. Wal, then, tomorrow we'll tax
,ur turn with the colt, and you shall see him