Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-03-31
SOME ON THE SWAP.

Yadnus," the San Francisco cor
respondent of the San Jose Mercury,
relates the following amusing story:
Up in one of the northern +" COW
countless" lived and fourished, some
eight years ago, an irrepressible, money
making, never-contented, never-quiet,
real, genuine Yankee, noted throug il out
that section for his unconqurable love
for swap and his observation-disclosures.
He would swap anything, no matter
how large or small, and, though gene
rally gamer by his trading propensi-
/ ties, occasionally, as in the instance
am about to relate, came off Second
best At this time he was well-to-do
farmer, and had numerous teams en-
gagged in hauling freight to and from
Shasta. One day it became necessary
that he should visit that town in per-
son, SO nitching up his buggy team, and
donning clean white shirt, he started
off for a sixty-mile ride. The day was
a very hot one in July, Gin that portion
OF the State it is hot in summer), and
he logged along, half asleep, dreamily
meditating on speculations in prospec-
tive. He had not accomplished more
than half Of his journey, when he was
aroused from his doze by the sound of
team descending hill short dis
tance ahead of him. In an instant our
hero was wide awake, and as the ap-
preaching vehicle came in sight, he
scanned the horses with critical eve.
Something in one of them appeared to
please him, for as they were on the
point Of meeting, he hailed the dust
and sweat-begrimed driver of the said
team, after this fashion:
II say, my friend, how would you
like to swap that off leader Of yours for
my near horse ?"
The person thus addressed gazed at
our friend for moment with queer
kind of look, and then replied:
Il don't think l care about swap
ping"
"No! But, see here !" and the
anxious gentleman jumped down from
his buggy into the dust. "That horse
of mine will make capital match for
that near leader Of yours. Come, now,
I'll give you fifty dollars to boot. I've
taken fancy to that animal of yours,
and will give you fair trade for him.
But the teamster wasn't on the trade,
and for nearly two hours, under broil-
ing sun, was bantered in every shape
and manner by our friend of the buggy.
At last, the latter turned to the former,
and wiping the perspiration from his
brow with his coat-sleeve, exclaimed in
accents of vexation
9" Is there anything you a0.U swap?"
The teamster eyed him a moment,
and then said, jestingly:
" Yes; I'll swap shirts with you."
How much boot will you give ?"
was the eager question.
"Four bits"
g Done. Let's see your money!"
The teamstcr pungled, and the ex-
change was made The Yankee re-
ceived in place Of his white linen one,
fifty cents and greasy, dust-encrusted
hickory shirt. He was about putting the
latter article on, with a rueful counte-
nance, when name on the waistband
attracted his attention He looked at
it closely and discovered that it belong
ed to one of his own teamsters. Open
ing his eyes slight bit wider than
usual, he subjected the receding team
to criticism, unblinded this time by
speculation, and faund that he had been
vainly endeavoring for two hours to
swap one of the animals he was driving
for another of his own horses. With a
low whistle, expressive of astonishment
and disgust, he remourted his buggy
and drove off.
A few days after certain teamster
rejoiced in the possession of new suit
of clothes; but, for all that, the affair
leaked out.