The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-12-04
SELLING A GRENDST0NE.

the Judge mouse his nome Nn6N he IlaN-
eled that part of the country. The Judge
was a hue joviaI old fellow, fond Of joke
and was always trying to get a joke upon
! Fred, when he stayed with him.
! One day, some time in the year 1889,
Fred was passing through, and put up with
him over night. In the morning he was
determined to drive a trade with him of
some kind, offering in his usual way to
take anything for payment:
"Iil tell you what III do said the
Judge, laughing, "IYe got first rate grind
stone out in the yard, if You'll take that
I'll trade it out"
'Very well" said Fred, 'I'II take it, it's
just as good pay as | want"
They went out to the wagon, and the
Judge turned out his grndstone, which
Fred loaded in his wagon and started He
had not gone far before he saw a customer
and stopped his team.
"Good morning Squire-want anything
/ in my line this morning."
"Well, I don't know, Fred" replied he
in banteriug tone, got any grindston s."
Yes, sir; got frst-rate one; just come
out and look at-it'
Now it happened the man really did not
want a grindstone; he was acquainted with
/ Fred and spoke in the manner he did be-
cause he had no idea Fred had one.
! Il like the looks Of that stone" said be,
after examining it, "aud as | want one very
much, and you take anything for payment
/ I'll give you six cents pound for it (four
cents was the regular price, provided you
will take such property as l turn out to
YOU for payment"
Certainly" said Fred Il always do"
Every we'll How much does the grind
stone weigh}'
/ Just torty-eight pounds" said Fred, and
proceeded to unload it,
Now come with me, Fred said the Old
Squire, grinning, when this was finished,
and get your pay"
Fred followed him to tie stable.
There" said he, pointing to a bull calf.
Just six weeks old, which was standing in
the stable, there's a frst-rate calf worth
about three dollars, which suppose will
pay you for the stone"
"Fery good, just as good pay as l want,
said Fred, as he unfastened his calf aud led
him to bis wagon. "But stop minute
said he, Il shall be back this way in about
three weeks, and if fou will keep him till
then, l will pay you what's right for it "
"Oh, yes Iii keep him for YOU" said
the Squire, laughing, as Fred drove of,
with the idea Of having beat him.
He supposed that Fred would never call
for the calf but he did not know his man.
and when he called, the Squire had moth
ing better than to give up bis property.
He then travelled, and as it was now near
night, Fred concluded to put up with the
Judge.
As he a.ighted at the gate he was met
by hearty shake of the hand, and "how
are you Fred? What did you do with
your old grindstone ?"
a sold it day or two ago at a good
profit, | can tell you; received six cents a /
pound for it."
All" said the Judge in surprise; but
what have you got there 7" now for the
first time noticing the calf
"O," said Fred, indittsrentIy, "that's a
calf I'm taking to Col. Davis up our way 4;
the CaIoneI made me promise to fetch him
one, and he seems to set great value on him:
for my part | consider him nothing but
common calf, not worth more than three
dollars.
1t might be a, we'll to mention that this
was about the time Of the great excitement
about Imported stock, and that Colonel D..
Of whom Fred spoke, was a man known of
Judge Newton to be a heavy importer of
foreign stock, particularly Of the Durham
Judge Newton had often endeayored to
procure some of the stock. but as it was
then very scarce and bore a high price, be
examined It little mora closely thinkingI
to purchase it. /,
Its one Of the regular Durhans, sure
said be musing, "and a fine one at that; if
you will part with him,I'lI give YOU twenty
five dollars for him"
Couldn't part with him for no such
money. Colonel Davis IS to give me
seventy five as soon. as l get home" 5
"Wel you can't take him clear home =
with YOU, aud if you'll let me have him, 4
III give You fifty dollars for him |o
"No, l can't do it; I've disappointed the a
Colonel two or three times already and he G
like it at all if l should disappoint d
aim in this way again" Q
But" said the Judge, now becoming t
anxious, you can tell him you have not 4
oeen over the mountains" Q
Il don't know about it, Judge" said c