Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-24
Turning a screw.

ToZer.
Blythe way, my name is Tozer-the Reverend
Thomas Tozer, NJ. A., formerly OF Caius college,
Cambridge, and now of Stogglesby rectory, Lin
cOnshire-Mrs. Tozer being my wife.
"My DEAR" | said, humanity is humanity,
but incomes are incomes; and though the former
says no, the latter says yes. | cannot afford to
turn the paddock into a hospital for decayed
horses. This lameness decides it ; and old Prince
must go.
"Bnt where shall you sell him~
"Well, | shall not sell him at all; Mr.. Tomson
will do that for me at Horncastle fair tomorrow.
I am going to drive MIN over. dare say Prince
can hobble that distance"
"And what do You suppose you will get for
himP" sa Mrs. Tozer.
ooh, not more than ten pounds" | replied.
"Dear, dearl What a shame it seems to part
with poor old Prince for ten poundsP
"My love-" l said, decisivey, in that tone
which always closes a discussion, dit is not the
ten pounds, but the cost Of keeping the old hos
If you like to do without our having another,
well and good Stout walking boots suffice fol-
me in the winter"
But Mrs. rozer seemed to think that il would
be pity to let our four-wheeled chaise grow
mouldy in the coach house; and the consequence
was that the next morning at eleven O'Clock
was driving my church warden, Farmer Tom
son, over the half dozen miles that interviewed
between Stogglesby and the world-fjmed horse
fair; but very slowly, for Princes limp in what
horsey people call "the off fore-leg" was rather
marked.
perhaps you'd like me to do the other bit of
business for you, Master TozerP said my COM
pan on.
"Well, no; thank you," said. eff you'll do
the selling part, shall be much obliged. think
I'd rather buy for myself. don't boast, mind;
but if there is anything secular do know lit
tie about, | think it is a horse"
Farmer TOmson chuckled
"Well, well" he said; don't get took in, for
they're rough lot down here at a fair time"
Chats precisely what | want Won to sell
Prince for me. | know they would get him from
me, and then there would be some difficulty
about payment; and, as a clergyman, don't
want to be mixed up with any unpleasantne S.
And besides, you see, the class of men who go
about buying lame horses are not those with
whom can have dealings"
GAN right, parson, all right" said Tomson;
"only don't blame me if l don't get enough for
him. promise you, though, that I'll bring
back the ready cash.
"Do your best, Tomson, do your BEST and l
shall not complain" | said, for | had implicit
confidence in him, his only failings being too
great leaning toward gin and water, and
tendeocy to familiarity, as evinced in his adj
dressing his pastor as "Parson."
We reached the head inn; | brought out hal
ter, and Mr.. Tomson led off poor old Prince, the
chaise and harness being left IN charge of the
hostler, fresh man.
AS The old horse was led off, he seemed to
give me mournful look, as though he would
have said, "Do you turn your back like this
upon your old friends?" And then he went
limping out of the yard, whsking his gray tail
about IN melancholy manner; and thought
OF the many times those four white stockings
had gone over the road with our modest con-
vevance; never too fast; never taking fright;
never shying; never being inserted, as to the
hind stockings, in fierce kicks, through the
splash-board And thought that If, for the
ve-and-thirty had placed as the outside sum,
l could get as good steed to dwell with us for
the next ten years, should do well.
went into the coffee room to await Farmer
Tomson's return, and somehow l rather regret
ted that had not called in a veterinary sur
geon, and give Prince months rest; but the
next minute | drove away the thought, and
stood at the window, looking out at the busy
turmoil OF the little town during the hor Sc
| fair
NV wife had stipulated for horse as much
like Prince as | could get; and as 1 stood gazing
out, saw one or two goodlv looking cobs, with
one, two, and even three white-stockinged feet
but not one, like old Prince, with four.
"But | can't study that" l thought to N.Y.
| self. "a good, sound horse is what require
and black-legged cob is likely to be the more
| durable"
Before I had waded half through the day
beiore's Times, Farmer Tomson was back again
| well, how have you got on" l said.
| "Oh, just us well as l expected parson: the
/
and he dashed four soyereigns down upon the
table.
was disappointed, for had expected double,
but did not say so. Tomson saw it, though
1T was its real value, parson, he said quietly;
"the horse was lame, dead lame"
Don't say another word, Tomson, pray" |
said, hastily. 81 am, indeed, much obliged"
You're quite welcome, parsOn. / shall look
in on yon in the morning about that bit of wall
in the church-S ard, and then you can show me
your new horse purchase"
But won't you let me drive you back 2" |
said.
mo, no, thanky," he said; 81 dare say you
shall be late. Goo1-morning; and be on the
ook-out Tor sharpers."
Farmer Toms n departed, and went about the
town attending 10 a few domestic commissions
before venturing upon the prime business OF the
day. At last, though, had Look round to see
splendid carriage-horses selling at from two
hundred and fifty to three hundred guineas a
par, and hunters, park hacks, ladies' we'll
broken mares, sturdy cobs, gigantic cartrhorses,
every description OF the equine race; but though
l wandered about for quite an hour and half,
could not see the sort of cob that took my eye.
invitations TO buy had In plenty from cunning.
looking gentlemen, who could see what was
ABOUT; out word from any one of these horsey.
looking 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 trotting hoofs, |
began TO wish that, after all, / had intrusted
some one else with the commission; and walking
back 10 the inn, had glass of sherry and d
biscuit, sat down for half an hour, aud then
went 10 have one more look round, intending, Il
were unsuccessful In my search, TO hire q horse