Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-10-29
But / did not know whether he wished

But did not know whether he wisheu
to sell; and / thought be didn't.
: "Yes. Wal, then, tomorrow VI
!: will take turn with the colt, and yol
shall see him 90. But as near as
can cal,lste. from what the ole mai
said when l left home, be don't keer Il
sell him any way"
And with this consolstory remarl
be fell sound asleep Tor appeared to,
before the big barroom FIRE.
At an early hour next morning,
met Jem again. and gave him the Gus
tomsry sslutation of the season.
"Happy New Year. sir, said Ipleas
aDily. hzz~sz-,-
j s"WaI. yas. SO It isl New Year.
Iday-an' very nice 'un tits.
"How's the pony this morning"
inquired.
"Oh. nicely, never better. Vas.
see. You're the gentleman as spoke
about him last night"
Eyes; and well give him q trisl
when you're ready" I added.
"Yas, we'll try him--but don't be.
lieve the ole man cares to sell him." in
sisted Jem.
However, we got aboard light cut.
ter, and at last we started for jaunt,
to test the speed and mettle of the
horse had been so favorably struck
with at first sight, and away we went,
followed by half dozen good 'uns.
rigged out at the tavern stables. TO
see and help enjoy the promised
sport.
The handsome bay colt proved a
"Hyer." How fast he could trot l
could not say; but he distanced all COM
petitors for a mile-two. FIVE, six,
seven miles--and returned to the hotel
in gallant style. at bis top gait, with
out showing the slightest sign Of dis
tress. He was a splendid roadster,
and Just what / wanted.
"What do you ask for him?" said I,
at last.
"Wal, as 1 said before, l don't be-
lieye the ole man keers to part with
him-least ways he could get two hun
dred and half for him."
"That's big price for a FIVE year
DID," l said.
oval, he amt no fool of q colt,
mind. The ole man won't take less"
"I'll give you two hundred dollars"
/ said. This was round sum for
horse in those days.
"No; the ole man wouldn't be salts
fed" insisted Saltum, and he turned
his horses head 10 the stable as en-
tered.
/ concluded very shortly TO take the
colt at Jem's price, however, and,
about an hour afterward, said:
"Well Saltum, ! think I'll trade
with you. It's too much for a five
year old, but I'll give you two hundred
and half"
"Wal" said Jem, slowly, "railly, /
don't think the ole man'd like to sell
him for that, anyhow; and l guess I'll
take him to the city where I'll get his
valoo."
"But you only asked two hundred
and fifty for the colt"
"Wal, you didn't take me up. aither,
did ye"
"Not at the moment-I."
oval, sharp's the word, you know,
In boss trade. But I'm sartin the ole
man would not be satisfied with less
than three hundred" "Three hun
dred" 1 exclaimed. ''Well, l won't
do it--that's all"
"No more, 1 wouldn't, mister if l
was you. Cos you cant alters tell
about FIVE year old if he is smart and
purity. He might break down; and 1
can sell him in the city easy"
wanted the horse, but I'll let him
90. And I did not see Jem Saltum
till afternoon, when he turned the nag
out for exercise again, and wbisked up
and down before the door, to the sdmi-
ration of everybody who saw him.
"Saltum," 1 said, 81 didn't mean
to do it; but I'll take your horse
Give me a bill Of him. I'll take him
at three hundred, though it's great
price for him."
"Well, mister" said the scamp
coolly, "since this morning ! have
made up my mind that he can 60
faster than we thought he could, and
l can take three hundred and hall
for him of a man up the road here
I've therefore concluded that the ole
man won't be satisfied unless do the
best l can; though, rally. ! don't be-
lieve the ole man would allow me tc
sell him any way"
"Confound the old man and his col
: tool" j said, not little vexed at th'
sharp practice Of my. green appearing
! friend from Vermont. "You get nj
four hundred dollars out Of me for tha
! horse"
mo, I spose not, mister. Blu
r there need not be no hard felin'
atween us. He's a dreadful goot
e colt, and the ole man would not b.
] satisfied unless he brought a goot
price I'm sure" ts44-
Twas bound to buy this horse. ant
s think now that Jem Saltum knew it,
D But four hundred dollars was an awfu
a figure, thought. Sill, fearing tha
the fellow would dodge me again,
: mustered courage; and before l retire'
at night ] said, good naturedly, a
: lem sat shaking bis flip: