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

~ and already there lay upon the groun
sufficient to make most exceller
sleigbiDg. The youngest were enjoy
ing the fun in the roads, the countr
sledges were rsttling by, filed wit
rosy checked girls and merry lads; tb
more elegant turnouts from the city
fourteen miles distaut-occasionall
fitted past the tavern door, where
was tarrying temporarily, and the sea
son was peculiarly gay, as the hollI
days were passing away.
In. the bar-room of the country hote
where sojourned l had right heartily
enjoyed the various samples Of human
character met, and / had, for a week
day and evening, the opportunity o
listening to the "yarn" Of the villa
gers, or of the numerous visitors whit
coDgregated in the old tavern, which
had for many long year been the re
sort of hundreds of farmers, Cowboy
horse.jockeys, and travellers of ont
kind or another, en- route to and from
the city, or homeward bound.
1 had given out among the settlers
that 1 wished to purchase a good
borse-if one chaneed to turn up dur
ing my stay at the tavern-and al
hands we're on the lookout for me; for
it was understood that / would pay for
such an animal as l fancied, liberal
price.
Whether any Of my newly made &C.
quain.ances aided the seller or not, I
never knew; but there came along, on
this very afternoon alluded to, the
last day of December, 1856, a young
man from Vermont, $50 he said. and
guess be did, who drove up to the
tavern door gayish looking beast that
attracted my attention at once, for be
was a good stopper, and be came in in
gallant style.
"Wbo-a!" shouted the driver, and
he jumped from the heavy old sleigh
upon the doorstep, and flung the
reins careIessly over the dash, as the
stable boy came TO look after the new
arrival.
"That's Jem Saltum," said one OF
the bar.room loungers. "He's from
Brattleboro,' and he's got good 'un.
He never comes down with anything
but good 'uns eyther."
Perhaps this remark was intended
for my benefit, and perhaps not. l
heard it, but seemed not to observe it.,
An hour afterward Jem Saltum en-
sconsed himself before the great bar
room fire, ordered mug OF flip, and
commenced leisurely to smoke a short
six, and nip his ''nectar" as be called
it. had been out 10 the stable and
examined bis colt-s beautiful bright
bay, with heavy tail and mshe, well
pat together in limb, and very stylish
in action-and concluded to buy him.
As yet had said nothing TO Jem Sal.
tum, however, and he had observed a
marked silence on entering the house.
1 waited for Jem Saltum 10 open up to
me, or some one around; but he
smoked and drank his flip, and looked
into the blazing fire, and finally seemed
to be dropping into doze.
1t was a cold night, the thirty-frst
day Of December, 1856. The snow
had ceased falling. and the prospect oi
glorious good sleighing was never
more promising. waited for him to
begin, but he said not word about
his horse, end so I went to him.
IA good-lookiDg nag you drove
down to-day" remarked TO him, by
way of commencement.
He did not reply, but opened bis
eyes lazily, then continued 10 seem tc
be sleeping.
IA young one?" queried.
"Did you speak to me, sir,?" be
asked looking up.
81 was saying you had nice-loOk'
ing colt"
"ob. yes. That's the old mans
that is"
"For sale?"
"No-not exactly. That is,
reckon the old man wouldn't agre,
TO sch him for no reasonable price,"
'.Wbo's The old man you speak Off
"Who? Why, he's my uncle; tn
man / live with"
"What are his qualities?"
Whose? The old man's?"
"No; the COLTS"
"On, Thought you meant my uncle
Wal, the boss is what we call up'n ou
country, good 'un. He gets up wei
all round, is FIVE years old, coming six
square trotter, way down in the forties
sound as new dollar, good size, neve
SHES or bolts, 'frai d Of nothin' but
whip, and on the road be takes it a
his own way. 1 don't think the ol
man'll sell though, anyhow" continue
Jem; and be turned around and begs
TO settle himself down in his chair f
another nap.
1 made up my mind TO purcbas
that colt-or, at least try him-so
added:
"Is be fast?" sF
81 told you just now, that he wf
comm six, and could foot it down
the forties. Thst'll do, l reck'n for
five year old, stranger" >
eyes, yes. Have you any obje'
ton to let me see him move?"
"None in the world, sir. To-mo
row, if you wish"
"Yes. The slipping will be fine, an
l would like TO buy good horse,
added, "if 1 can light on one that sui