Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-02-18
A HORSE TRADE.


sufficient to make most excellent sleighing
The Youngsters we're the fun nthe roads,
the country sledges were by, filed with
rosv, checked eiflsa and merry lads; tho.
more elegant turn-onts from the CITY,
fourteen miles distant, occasionally fitted
past the tavern door where | was tarry-
ing temporarily, and the season was pc
culiarly gay as the holidays were passing
away.
In the bar-room Of the country hotel
where had right heartily enjoyed
the various samples of human character
met, and had, for n week, day and
evening, the opportunities Of listening to
tie ssvarns' of villagers, OF OF the nnner-
GUS visitors who congregated in tho old
tavern, which had for many long year
been the resort of hundreds Of farmers,
cowboys, horse jockeys, ard travellers of
one kind or another, en- route to or from
the city, or "homeward bound"
had given ont among the settlers
that l wished to purchase q good horse
If one CHANGED to turn up during my
stay at the tarysrn-and all bands were
on the lookout for me; for it was under
stood that | would pay for such an AMI
NAL liberal price.
Whether any of my newly made ac-
ouaintances favored the seller or not, |
never knew; but there came along on
this afternoon alluded to the last day of
December, l85-, n young man from
Vermont, $50 he said, and | guess he
did, who drove up to the tavern door o
cayisb looking beast that attracted my
attention at once, for he was good
stopper, aud came up in gallant style.
"Who-a!' shouted the driver; and he
Jumped from the heavy old sleigh upon
the door step. and flung the reins care
Iessly over the dashor, as the sta bic BOY
came TO look after the new conner.
THAT'S Jem Salum." said one Of the
bar-room loungers. "He's from Brattlo-
boro, and he's got good 'un. He never
comes down with anything but goo 'uns,
eyther."
Perhaps this remark was intended for
my benefit and perhaps not. | heard it
but seemed not to observe 1t.
An hour afterwards Jem Saltnm en-
sconsed himself before the great Larroom
FIRE, and commenced leisurely to smoke
short six. | had been out 10 the stable
and examined his colt, beautiful bright
BAY, with heavy tail and name, we'll put
together in limb, aud very stylish in ac-
ton, and / concluded to buy him. AS
yet had said nothing 10 Jem Saltum,
however. and he had observed marked
silence on entering the house. | waited
for him to open on me or some around !;
but be finally seemed dropping into q
dozc.
1t was cold night; the snow had
ceased falling, and the prospect of glori-
Gus good sieirhing was never more prom
osing. | waited for him to begin, but be
said not weird about his horse, and so
! went to him.
"A good looking nag you drove down
to-day | remarked to him By way Of
commencement.
He did not reply, bit opened his eyes
laziIy, then continued to seem sleeping
IA Young 8" quired.
odd You speak to me, sirs' he asked,
looking up.
81 WAS saying you had a nice looking
colt"
'sOh, yeas, That's the old mans, that
is.n
''For sale r.
"No-not edzactly, that is, | recoken
the old man wouldn't agree to sell for no
reasonable price"
"Who's the old man you speak OFF,
"Whos Why, he's my uncle; the man
| live with"
sWhat arc bis qualities T.
"Whose! The old man's9"
mo, the colts"
ooh, I thought you meant my uncle
Wal, the horse is, what wo call up'n
our country a good I'm. He gets up
well all around, is five years old, ceming
six, trotter, down in the forties, sound as q
new dollar, good size, never SHES or bolt
fraid Of nothing but whip, ard on the
road he takes it all his own way. don't
think the old tnan'll sell, any how" con-
tinued Jem; and he turned around and
began to settle himself down in his chair
for another nap.
made up my mind to purchase the
colt--or at least to try him-and SO |
added:
GLOW fast q
Il told you just now that he was com
in six, and could foot it down in the for
ties That'Il do, reckon, for five wear
old, stranger"
Yes. yes; have you any objection to
let me see him move =
None 10 the world, sir. Tomorrow,
ifyou WISH"
eyes. the slipping will be fine, and
would like to buy good horse" added
IF can light on one that suits me, and
does not come too high"
Jem Saltum knew all that before. But
| did not know whether he wished to sell.
and thought he didn't.
ayes. Wal, then to morrow we'll
take turn with the colt, and you shall
see him go. But as near as I calk'late
from what the old man said when left
home. he don't keer to sell him away"
And with this consolatory remark he
fell sound asleep (or appeared to) before
the big bar-room FIRE.
Az on aort,, how TIA navt p,orn;,,