The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-08-22
q" The Old Mans Colt"

'
sters were enjoying the fun in the roaGs
country sleds were ringing by, filled with
rosy checked girls and merry lads; the
more elegant turn outs from the city, four,
teen miles from town, occasionally fitted
past the tavern door where I was staying
temporarily, and the season was peculiarly
gay, As the holidays were passing by.
In the bar room Of the country hotel where
| sojourned, had right heartily enioved
the various samples Of human character
met, and [ had, for week, day and even
ing, the opportunity of listening to the
yarns Of the villagers, or the numerous VS.
itors who congregated in the old tavern.
which had for many long year been the
resort Of farmers, COW boys, horse jockeys.
and travellers OF on. sort or another, en-
route to and from the city, or homeward
bound.
| had given ou: among the settlers that
| wished to purchase good horse-if one
chaDced to turn UP during my stay at the
tavern-and all hands were on the lookout
for me for it was understood that wo'd
pay for such an animal as fanced libe-
raj price
Whether any of my newly made &C.
quaintances aided the settler or not. nev.
er knew: bat there came along on this af
ternoon alluded to, the last day Of Decem-
Der, 1S5-, a young man from Vermont,
$50 he said, and guess he did, } who drove
to the tavern door gayish looking beast
that attracted my attention at once, for he
was good stopper and came out in gallant
style.
"Who>a, " shouted the driver, and he
jumped from the heavy old sleigh upon
the door step, and flung the reins careless,
" over the dasher as the stable boy came
to look after the new arrival.
"That's Jem Saltum. y said one of the
bar room loungers Hes from Brattle-
boro, and he's got good 'un. lie never
comes down with anything ont good 'uns
eyther'
Perhaps this remark was intended for
me, and perhaps not. heard it bat seem
ed not to notice it.
An hour afterwards jim Saltum enscon-
ced himself before the bar room fire, and
commenced leisureIy smoking short six
| had been ont to the stable and examined
his colt, a beautiful bright bay, with heavy
tail and name, well put Jogetner in limb,
and very stylish in action, and | concluded
to buy him. As yet, | had said nothing
to jim Saltum, however, and he had OBJ
served marked silence on entering the
house. | waited for Vim SaItum to open
on me, or some one around but he final
ly seemed dropping into dose.
At last | went to him, and tapping him
on the shoulder, remarked:
ga good looking nag you drove to dar,"
I said, bg way of commencement.
He did not reply, but opened his eyes
laZily, then continued to seem to be sleep
inc.
"A young 'un q I queried.
Did you speak to me, sir" he asked
looking up.
a was saying you had a nice looking
nag"
"Oh, yaas, that's the old mans that is"
g For sale ~
NO, not edzactly. That is, I reckon
the old man wouldn't agree to sell for no
reasonable price
who's the old man You speak Of"
"Who? Why, he is my uncle, the
man live with"
"What are bis qualities ~
"Whose, the old mans ~
"No, the coll'sn
ooh, | thought you meant my uncle
Wall, the hoss is what we call up in our
country good 'un. He gifts up well all
round, is five years old, coming six, square
trotter, way down in the forties, sound as
a new dollar; but reckon the old man
wouldn't sell anyhow" and he turned over
and began to snooze.
I made up my mind to purchase that
colt, or at least to try him, SO l added:
" How fast:'
" I told You just now that he was comm
six, and could foot it down in the forlies.
That'!l DO | reckon for five year old,
stranger"
. Yes, yes, have YOU any objection to let
me see him move =
" None in the world, sir. To morrow
yol wish"
"Yes. The slipping will be fine, and
| would like to buy good horse" | add
ed, "if can light on one that suits me ev-
cry way, and does not come too high"
Jim Saltum knew all this before. But
| did not know whether he wished 10 sell.
and | thought he didn't.
WAL, then, tomorrow we'll take a
turn with the colt, and You shall see him
90. But as near as | can caIkate from
What the old man said when left home,
be don't keer to sell him any way"
And with this consolatory remark he
fell asleep Cor appeared to- before the bar
room fire.
At an early hour tie nextmorning Tmet
jim again, and gave him tie customary
salutation oftha season.
"IIapPy New Year, sir = said I, pleas
an'lY
Wal, yes. so It's New Years day, an
a very nice 'un it Is"
. lIow's the pony this morning:' in
quired.
Oh, riccly-neyer better. Yes, see
You're the gentleman as spoke about him
last NIGHT"