Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-02-16

upon the prime business of the day.
4 At last, though, had look round, to
see splendid carriage-horses selling al
from two hundred and fifty to three
hundred guineas pair and hunters,
part hacks, ladies' well-broken mares,
sturdy cobs, gigantic cart-horses-every
description of the equine race; but
though wandered about for quite an
hour and half, could not see the
sort of cob that took my eye. Invita-
tions to buy / had in plenty from cum
ning-looking gentlemen, who could see
what 1 was about; but q word from
any of these horsey-loaking gentry was
sufficient to put me ON my guard, and
to take me to another part of the fair.
Tired at last of the noise and hustle,
the shouting horse-dealers and the trot-
ting hoofs, 1 began to wish that, after
all, had intrusted some one else with
the commission and walking back to
! the inn, / had glass of sherry and q
biscuit, sat down for half an hour, and
then went to have one more look round,
intending, If l were unsuc cessful in my
search, to hire q horse from the inn to
drive back, and then trust my case to
other hands, a
I
''Plenty OF horses are bought through
advertisements" 1 said to myself !;
"and old Baldox could examine it :"
Mr.. Baldox being the vet who came
round our neighborhood.
"The very thing / want" said to
myself the next moment; but, all the
same, I preserved strict appearance
of want of interest; for just then a
rather red-faced young fellow, in a quiet
/ groom's livery, passed me, leading a
very good-looking dark cob, very
plump-looking, full head, short, we'll
carried tail, four black legs, good dark,
glossy coat, but rather playful looking,
and given to dancing about.
let the man pass me two or three
times as / looked unconcernedly on,
while first one horsey mnr went up, and
then another, wanting to try the horse,
and talking in loud and depreciatory
accents; but the groom was very surly,
and seemed as if he would have none
of them, always walking off a few
yards before he came to another stBnd.
Horse for 1 said atsale, nay Lad 2"
last.
The groom looked at me surlily all
over, his eyes resting long on my white
handkerchief 'sDo you want to buy
onel" he said at last.
"Well, 1 don't know" said, smil-
ing; "but that dent seem to me the
way to sell him"
"Oh, don't it P'raps it don't, :"
said the mar. know what I'm up
to-"
What's the price - I asked, as
walked round the cob, liking his looks
more and more.
"Now look here,r said the groom,
gazing at me as seacrhing as in him lay:
'sDo you want to buy himl Because,
il you do, say 50: ii you don't, just
leave me alone, please, for I've been
humbugged enough for one day."
"Wcll, my lad, 1 said, ''you are
not very civil; but do want to buy a
cob"
He looked at me again, and then a
bright thought seemed to flash across
him. "You're a clergyman, amt
youa"
eyes" said, smiling 80 3
"Then where's your card 3"
He smiled triumphantly as he said
this, evidently thinking that he had
posed me; but drew out my card-case
and gave him card--Rev. L. Tozer,
Stogglesby Rectory-when the mans
face underwent complete change, and
he touched his hat respectfully.
"Beg pardon, sir; but l didn't know
but what you might be chanter
dressed up like parson. Master sent
me here to sell the pony, and told me
to be very careful and not get done,
and I've near been chiseled of him
twiste. Here's these fellows come
round you with flash notes and dufing
suvrings, and more lodges than you'd
ever think of, and it makes one suspi-
cious."
"Who is your masterl" said.
"Mr George Smith, of Louth."
/ did not know the gentleman, but the
livery buttons on the groom's coat bore
the well known crest of the Smiths
fist clencheo upon a hammer-and ]
asked him q few more questions.
What is he parting with the cob for n
was among the rest.
"Missus used to drive him, Sir; but
we're going to have broom now and a
isixteen-hander. It's pity though, for
this here's as nice little thing as ever
stepped. That quiet you may do any
manner o. thing with him."
"Not very young, my lad / said,
1 knowingly, after a look in the horses
mouth. T rTe r5 F
"No. Sir, he amt young; but he
amt a old 'oss- Masters only had him
two years. Idon't believe he's eight
l year, that don't"
4 had him walked; had him trotted
| i had him tried in harness, and drove
him myself; and then hs was once more
reduced to the halter.
"Rather more skittish than / like, y
! I said
| "Skittish, Sirln said the groom. "He
4 amt skittish; but I tell you what he is,
Sir: he's that fat and lazy, and full ol
play, that he's spoiled. just fancy
4 yourself, Sir, sket up in loose box,
and the missus coming and blowing you
out with corn at unreg'lar times till yor
blew uponit Wouldn't you beskittishi
Why, see how slow he is he might dc
two mile more an hour ii he warn't SC
, fat"
ri "Well, and now how about pricel"
"Forty guineas, sir, said the groom
! =" forty-two pounds In gold
|, (which means that five-and-thirt,
, pounds viii buy him, l suppose 4"
said; for liked the horse, the man
and the character of the affair alto
gether.
! The groom looked hard at me for
} few moments, and then his face wrin
, kled all over into simple grin. well
sir, master said: Ask forty pound
) and stick to it, but if you can't get five
i and thirty, bring him back again.
! looked the cob over and over again
[ felt his hooks and fetlocks, and, will
all my manipulation, found him a
: quiet as lamb.
, "Well, my lad" said, after biddin,
{ him thirty in vain, "I'll give you th
five-and thirty pounds. !"
"Suvrings, Sir. .
: "Well, check on Garfit's bank vii
dol" said, smiling.
Q 81 don't know nothing about check