The Portland daily press., 1872-04-06
PR ESS.
SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 8, 1879.
Rich Scene at Saratoga.
TROUBLED CoUNTRYMAN's SPAN OF
HORSES.


I Correspondence Of the N. " SUM-
SARATOGA, March 23.-We have just
heard up here that John Mcbride Davidson
has returned to New York from Florida II
good condition. The story about the safe'
created much amusement in this city. JOIN
is up here every summer. He was here last
summer. One afternoon countryman ap
peared in front Of the Grand Union Hote
with fine span of horses, which he offered
to SELL The Hon. August Belmont and Col
VIM. X. Travers were dickering with the
countryman for the purchase of the horses.
Alderman jerome came up and spoke to
Messrs. Belmont and Travers. We began to
examine the horses, when Judge Davidson
stepped uD to the eountryman and whis-
pered:
"Look here, my friend, do you see that fat,
red-faced fellow looking at your hosses, -
pointing to Alderman Jerome, who was ex-
amining the teeth of one of the horses
''Well, he's horse dealer himself, and he's
got horses to sell. He won't do you any good
by talking to those men about your horses
ALDERMAN JEROME IN TROUBLE.
The countryman thanked Mr.. Davidson for
his kindness, and then turned to Alderman
Jerome, who was STOPPING down and exam
ming the hind legs of one Of the animals, and
said:
"Look-a-here, old man; I've lived good
many years, and seen good many sights,
but l never know'd man to git hurt yet who
minded his own business. Now you tend to
your business and I'll tend to mine.'
''Well, but my dear sir," responded the
alderman, sPm only examining your horses.
As they are for sale / dor't see why you can
have any more objection. l might purchase
them if they suit me-"
The countryman steppe back few PAGES
and began 10 roll up his coat sleeves.
''Pye lived good many years." he said,
sand I've seen good many sights, and I've
know'd good many men to get hurted what
didn't attend to their own business. Now
you jest step aside and don't meddle with af-
fairs that don't consarn ye."
THE BLAND PROPOSITION.
Alderman Jerome expostulated, but in
vain; the countryman insisted that he didn't
want him around, and threatened to punch
his head if he didn't clear out and mind his
own business. A fight was imminent. The
alderman was plucky, and offered to resent
the countryman's insult. Davidson stood by
as sober as judge, and finally induced Bel
mont and Travers to pour little oil upon the
tryman refused to settle the matter, but final
ly he said:
'sLook-a-here, old man, you've gin me a
mighty sight of trouble, but 1 know what's
the matter with you. You've got hosses o.
your own to sell, and you can't play youl
chin music on me. I'll tell you what III do
Ifyou don't mind trearin' the party, why
say the word and I'll settle the matter. But
If you're agoin' to interfere with my business
m HUH into fha
s'This is some of Davidson's business" !"
said the Alderman, in low tone to Belmont
and Travers. Then turning to the country
man he continued: 'Look here, my friend,
rve no objections to treating the party in the
least, but the fact of the business is that I've
got an engagement at the American Hotel
(pullng out his watch), and it is now five
minutes after the time. If you'll take this
ten dollar bill handing him greenback) and
treat the party yourself-not forgetting to
drink my health, you kAow-I shall be very
glad to have the matter so amicably settled y
swell now, look-a-here, old man" replied
the countryman, ''Tll be hanged if I'd NV be-
lieved that you'd NV had so much sand in
your craw. You'm gentleman. OF course
I'll drink pour health"
DRINKING HIS HEALTH.
The countryman then shook hands with
the alderman, pocketed the ten dollar bill,
and tackled into the bar-room of the Grand
Union Hotel, followed by Messrs. Belmont
Travers and Davidson. He opened quart
bottle of wine and the four disposed of it,
The he called for another bottle. When it.
contents - disappeared, the countrymaI
drew out his ten dollar bill and handed it tC
| the barkeeper. The barkeeper glanced at i
aud threw it back to the countryman, say
| ing:-
1'Oh, no; not this time. We're not in the
business now"
"What do yon mean?" gasped the astonish
| ed countryman.
''Mean?" replied the bartender. 'Do yor
mean to tell me that you don't know that the
| bill is counterfeit?'
"a counterfeit ?" repeated the countryman
"Good God you don't tell me sop
lone of the meanest counterfeits that
| ever saw" answered the barkeeper.
LOOKING FOR THE ALDERMAN.
A rich scene followed John Davidson in
dignantly denounced the heartless scoundre
who had swindled the countryman. Belmon
and Travers also thought it an outrage. Tn
countryman was fairly hopping with rage
He hauled out an old leather pocketbOok
however, and paid the bartender in well worI
one dollar notes. John Davidson's indigna
ton was very great, but the countryman'!
| was terrible. He breathed dire vengeance
against the old cuss who had swindled him
and threatened to lick him out of his boots /
! he caught him. Mr.. Davidson suggested
that he should cause his arrest, and kindl,
volunteered to go with him and look for him
Travers goodbye the countryman and Mr.
Davidson rushed for the American Hotel
They looked in the Office, walked through thu
barroom, searched the barber shop, glanced il
the billiard room, in fact went through tn
whole hotel, but the alderman was not to b.
found. Then they spent an hour in roaming
over the city, hoping TO meet him, but the
didn't. As they drew up in front of tn
| Grand Union Hotel for the last time it wa
with his friend very deeply. They had SOM
conversation and then separated.
CHAPTER n-MR. HUGH HASTINGS.
| At 5 o'clock the next morning, the Hon
Hugh Hastings was sleeping in room IA
Grand Union Hotel. Suddenly there was
tremendous knock at the door. Hugh awok
and began to rub his eyes. The knOckin
was something terrific.
''Hello what's the matter? What's want
ed?'' shouted Mr.. Hastings.
''Hain't this Mr.. Hastings room ?" yele'
the man who was knocking at the door.
Yes, yes, of course it is. What do yol
want" answered Mr.. Hastings.
''Well, git upr' screamed the visitor. cit
| after O'Clock. The teams down stairs al
ready, and there hain't nobody around"
"What team? What do you mean?'' an
swered Mr.. Hastings, now thoroughly arous
ed.
why, them horses that you wanted Il
buy" roared the outsider. Don't you re
member you told me to come around again
| in the morning at 5 O'Clock and wake yol
up?'
Here Mr.. Hastings got out of bed and pull
ed ON his breeches. Then he opened th'
door. There stood powerful countrymal
sweating from his exertions. 1t is hard l.
tell which was the most astonished.
'Are you Mr.. Hastings?" the countrymal
inquired.
eyes," answered Hugh, rubbing his eyes
81 am. What the devil do you mean by CON
ing here and pounding my door at this tim
in the morning?"
SIS this room No. 147?' asked the country
man.
Certainly it's 147," responded Mr.: Hast
ings. "What do you mean by coming "
here and soaring months growth OUT Oh
man? swear 1 thought the house was OF
fire.
| FINAL.
| ..yUou ,, sa;d the cOuntrVman, drawing a lOni