Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-10-29

Ilieved 1 should be such a fool as TO pa,
like this for q single horse"
The Vermont sharper shook bis fiil
mug. and drained it to the bottom
slowly. and replied:
"After all we've said, mister, ther
amt no man I'd rather hev that hos
than you. But I'm bound to do what
right. an at the same time / must no
forgit the ole man that raised the colt
Ef I can't get Eve hundred for th'
pony don't believe the ole man viii
be satisfied, and I've concluded 10 TAKE
him back to Vermont accordingly"
"Five hundred dollarsl" i yelled
"why. you're crazy. Or perhaps you
think I'm . fool" ! added. rising.s-
"Good night, sir. I trust you'll
get five hundred dollars for your five
year old. That is a hundred year,
exactly"
And I went to bed in high dnd-
geon.
"He's plaguey quick at figures,
anyhow" remarked Jem dryly, as ]
retired.
And very shortly afterward he went
to bed himself.
When l came down the next morn
ing the colt stood in the sleigh at the
front door, and Jem was just ready,
apparently, to leave. The golden op-
portunity to become the owner Of a
really fine animal was about to pass
from me, and I coveted the beast in
wardly and in earnest.
(Which way. Jem" 1 asked.
"To town. Afore night I'm going
to hev my price for this colt, or my
name amt Jem Saltum."
"How much do you ask for him to-
day?" said tartly.
"Wal, mister Tve thought it all
over, and as good horses amt plenty
Just now, I've made up my mind that
the ole nan uever'd be satisfied If l
didn't bring six hundred dollars for the
colt; an I've concluded that I should
do one or the other, sure as preachin',
anyhow" .
ssSix hundredi" said I. "Why
don't you say thohsand at once,
Jem?"
"Wal. he's wuth a thousand-but
you shall have him for just six hun
dred, ef you want him now"
Jem took up the ribbons. The colt
arched his beautiful neck, and was
about to turn away. / was beaten.
"Put him in the stable, Jem," said
/, I'll take him--though it's an awful
price,"
And thus l become the owner Of my
frst "fast horse"
The landlord laughed. The os5Iers
lauged. Jem laughed--so they said;
and I was half inclined to laugh myse i
at the Vermonter's management. Sull
I had got fine COLT was sure OF
so. two weeks after my little
New Years day adventure l found
myself on the BloomiDgdale road in a
natty New York cutter, skimming
sharply over the newly made snow
path, and beating with ease most OF the
dashers tha. frequented that splendid
Of the fast 'uns.
Ny colt quickly attracted the atten'
tion of the crowd of borsemen there,
and one among their number, who was
wealthy, and who knew what a good
nag was, waited upon me, and banter
ed me for my purchase
He's a good 'un' said /, 'and cost
me high.
what will you sell him fOr?' he
asked.
Twenty-Five hundred dollars l
answered, without winkiDg.
The man Of fortune drew a long
breath, looked the horse over at his
leisure, and then drew his check for
the amount-somewha to my surprise,
l confess.
Two years afterward my six hun.
dred dollar colt had become famous
for his superior speed and bottom, and
the present owner, to my certain
knowledge, has more than once re-
fused bona tde offer of FIVE thousand
dollars for his splendid trotter. He
has made his mile in 9:96, repeatedly,
and is now among the fastest horses
in America.
Ny only regret is, that when par
ted with him, 1 did not possess the
talents Of my Vermont friend in dis
posing Of him. l am now certain that
1 cold mn coli fnn chaanl