Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-10-30
.QDtloa aSStateslr1arl.
AIyI9 ,lsI''II sLEEFY DAvHO;5 81;
v1a Or the Tin Pedd ler,s Ruse.

work, "a Yankee among the Nu]llners,
purports to be told by a South CaroliniaD:
3 The Yankees as L said before, are apt
to be too cute for us IN, every thing but
horse flesh, and even sometimes In that. 1t
was this day, three years ago, on this spot,
that entered my horse "Southern," for
purse of two thousand dollars. In short,
he was IT, best horse at that time In South
Carolina There were to >belsure, twU
other horses, and fine ones too, entered
against him, but they were no touch to
southern" and was as sure of winning as
/ am of sitting here this lioment-wheD,
who should come along but Yankee with
a tin cart He had the shabbiest, worst
looking horse ever put my eyes on. He
was a., lean, ,slab-sided, crooked-legged
"critter' as ever went on four legs. He
stood all the time as If he was asleep-in
fact his owner called him "Sleepy David"
In short, sir, he was such horse as would
not have brouglttwenty dollars. 7o'f'f M
1t was near the hour of starting, when
the peddler, whose exterior corresponded
marvelously with that of his horse, and
who said his name was Zadock Befber, to
the astonishment OF all, injmated q wish
TO enter his horse with the rest.
"YOur horse J" exclaimed I-what, that
sleepy looking devil there? You'd better
entered him for the turkey -buzzards."
mot as you knows on, Mister" resumed
the Yankee, with some show of spirit. To
be sure the critter is rather sleepy as he
stands, and on that account / call him
Sleepy David, but he's jo-fired smart
hoss for all that. He's like a singed cat, a
darned sight better nor he looks. l should
like tarnation well to try him against some
of your South Carolina horses. To be sure
don't come all the way from home for
fhot h,,t 4 40
way on load of tin and other notions,
thought might time it to kill two birds
with one stone, for, thinks TO myself, if
can win the purse and peddle off the no.
tions, at the same time, | shall make a
plaguy good spec. But had to hurry on
like the nation to get here in time, and
that's one reason why my hoss looks so
shabby and out of fix this morning. But
for all that, he'll perform days work, l
tell you" 1-7l2iHT q. a..Ta. nf" III a,oI w
Supposing he, had no idea of running his
horse, and that all lie said was merely to
crafty his propensity for talking, | bade
him begone, and not trouble me with his
Yankee palaver. ga"s i+ -o5- ol J
"Why, Mister, this is free country. and
a man has right to talk or let it alone,
jist as he can afford. Now, I've taken a
great deal of pains to git here this morning
some of your Southern hosses. / amt
joking. sir; I'm in airnest. | understand
there is purse of two thousand dollars,
and should like amazing to pick it up"
"IOu talk OF picking up two thousand
dollars with that bit of carton of yours !!
Away with you, and don'ttrouble me any
more"
"Well, if 1 can't run,I suppose l can't;
but it's darned hard anyhow for man to
take somuch pains as Ihaye to come up to
the races, and then can't run after all.'' ~
"lt's too late now; by the rules of the
course, the horse should have been entered
yesterday however, If you'll plank the en-
trance money, perhaps you may get in yet"
/ said this by way OF getting rid of the
fellow, having no idea he could command
fourth part of the sum required.
f"How much might the entrance money
be? drawing out purse containing few
shillings in silver and few pence in cop
per. "If 'tain't more nor quarter dollar
or so, I'll plank it on the naii''
SIT is two hundred dollars"
1.-TWO hundred !" exclaimed the Yankee.
"By gauley, what price! Why they axed
me only twenty-five cents to see the hull
caravan in New York. Two hundred dol
lars! Why, you must be joking now-bless
me! my hull load of tinware, hoss, wagon
and all would not fetch. that. But, Mister,
don't you think Icould get in for ten dol
lars?"
"Nothihg short of two hundred dollars,
and that must be paid in five minutes"
We now thought we had got rid of the
fellow, but he returned to the charge, and
asked If fifty dollars would not do, then
seventy, then hundred, and finding he
could not make bargain for less than the
regular sum, he engaged to give itprovided
he could lind any one to loan it to HIM, for
which he would pawn his wagon-load of
notions and "Sleepy David" to boot. He
asked one and then another to accommodate
him with luan-declaring If he ever took
the purse, the money should be returned,and
he would give dozen tin whistles into the
bargain. 4 He however got more curses
than cOppefs, until some wag, who had
plenty of money, and liked to see the sport
20 on, lent him the two hundred dollars out
of sheer malice. Though it afterwards
turned. out that the Yankee had plenty of
money about him and was merely playing
the possum all the while. >.
His next object was to borrow a saddle.
In this he was also accommodated; and
taking ''Sleepy David' from the tin cart he
scrambled upon his back and took his sta
ition on the course. Youneye saw fellow
sit on horse so awkwardly in your life.
Every one said he wOuld fall off before he
had gone a hundred yards--and some, out OF
compassion, urged him to withdraw .la o7aq z
SHOT by darned sight, exclaimed he.
"Do YOU think I'm a darned fool as to pay
two hundred dollars and then withdraw
and not run after alp" rs.a l .t.
Others who wanted to see the sport,
thought it would cost some broken bones,
but encouraged him to proceed, saying, as
they laughed aloud, they had no doubt he
would carry off the purse.
"That's~ what | mean to do" said he, II
aif,tcefhe here fornothing, lean telIyou.
Wake up, Sleepy David and look about
you; you must have your eyesepen to-day;
! It's no time to be snoosin' when there is
money at stake" '.'A :" ''|' ''' 'tf'' 'NN
The horse, as ii Misunderstood what his
master was saying, pricked up his. ears and
actually began to show signs of life.qq9 w. /
@The signal was given to start. Away
sprang southern" with the speed of light
\ ming, and leaving SLEEPY David" far in the
rear, the peddler verging from one side to
the other, as If he were just ready to fall
off, .., sssybiR ouo a .r..sy. pap sqqoe i'ral 9
01B But they improved rs they proceeded !;
the peddler, sat more jockey7like, and his
horse evidently gained upon the Others. IT
was now thought the Yankee had'enOugh
Of the race, and would withdraw before the
heat. Contrary to all expectation, however,
he persevered, and offered one thousand
dollars on the issue of the race. pisaJ
/ 'sThe fellows fool" said one, I 2
"He don't know which side of his bread
Is buttered, or else he wouldn't bet any
money on SO desperate stake" lhbs .l1t-
\ aaHe's safe. enough there,p said q third,
Hfnr ha haa q M mora tO risk.V ta.4t It g,. flf