Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-02-04

veterinary surgeon duu- given IuuCo
months rest; but the next minute l drove
away the thought and stood at the win
dow, lookin. out at the busy turmoil OF the
little town during the horse-fair.
NV wife had stipulated for a horse as
much like Prince as I could get; and as I
stood gazing out saw oIe or two goodly
looking cobs, with one, two, and even three
white-stockinged feet, but not one, like old
Prince, with four.
"But can't study that" thought to
myself "a good sound horse is what [ re-
quire, and black-legged cob is likely to be
the more durable"
Before had waded half through the day
before's Times, Farmer Johnson was back.
"Well, how have you got on ?'' said.
"Oh, Just as we'll as l expected, parson ;
the regular thing for an old horse-pound a
| leg - and he dashed four sovereigns down
upon the table.
]. was disappointed, for / had expected
double, but did not say so. Johnson saw it,
though.
"It was its real value, parson,' he said,
quietly; "the horse was lame, dead-lane."
"Don't say another word, Tomson, pray"
I said hastily So am indeed much obliged
YOU'RE quite welcome, parson. l shall
look in on you in the morning about that
bit of wall in the churchyard and then yvu
can show me your new orse-purchase."
"But won't you let me drive you back ~
l said.
"No, no, thanky,n he said; 81 daresay I
shall be late. Good morning; and be on
the lookout for sharpers."
Farmer Tomson departed; and [ went
about the town attending to few domestic
commissions before venturing upon the
prime business of the day. At last, though,
1 had look, round, to see splendid carriage
horses selling at from two hundred and fifty
to three hundred guineas pair, and hunt
ers, park 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 q
half could not see the sort OF cob that
took my eye Invitations to buy l had in
plenty from cunning-looking gentlemen who
could see what was about; but a word
from any one of these horsy-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
intIusted some one else with the commits
sion; and walking back to the inn, [ had a
glass Of sherry and a biscuit, sat down for
| half an hour, aud then went to have one
more look round, intending if were sue
cessful in my search, to hire a horse from
the inn to drive back and then trusting my
case to other hands.
"Plenty of horses are bought through
advertisements I said to myself; land old
Baldox could examine it; Mr.. Baldox Re-
ing the vet, who came round our neighbor-
hood.
The very thing want" said to my
self the next moment; but all the time l
preserved strict appearance of want OF in
terest, for just then a rather red-faced
young fellow, in quiet groom's livery,
passed me, leading very good-looking
dark cob, very plump-lookng, full head,
short, well-carried tail. four-black legs, good
dark glossy coat, but rather play Unlocking,
and given to dance about
let the man pass me two or three times
as looked nnconcernedly on, while first
one horsy man went up and then another,
wanting to try the horse, and talking in
loud and depreciatory accents but the
groom was very surly, ANA seemed as it he
would have none of them, always walking
off a few yards before he came to another
stand.
|
/ The groom looked at me surlily all over,
his eyes resting long on nv white handker-
chief DO you want to buy one p he said
at last.
/ "Wen, don't know" I said, smiling
but that don't seem to me the way to sell
him." .- o..
"Oh, don't it! P'r'aps it DON'T said
the man 81 know what [ m up to-
| jc ho yoJ
round the cob, liking his looks more and
more. ...
| "Now, look here" said the groom, gaz-
"Do you want to huy him? Because if you
do, say so if you don't, just leave me alone,
please, for I've been hu ubugged enough fol
one day.
"Wen, my lad,"I said, "you are not
very civil but do want to buy a cob.''
i "He looked at me again, and then a
bright thought seemed to flash across him
"Yon're a clergyman, amt you? 7" -.
"Yes,' I said, smiling.
"Then where's your card ?"
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. T. Tozer, Stogglesby Rectory
when the mans face underwent a com.
plete change, and he touched his hat respect.
fully.
"Beg pardon, sir; didn't know but
what you might be a 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 nearly been
chiseled out Of him twyste. Here's these
fellows come round you with flash notes
dufing suvrings, and more lodges than
you'd ever think Of, and it makes one sus-
picious"
''Who is your master ~ I said.
Mr.. George Smith, sir of Louth."
[ did not know the gentleman, but the
livery buttons on the groom's coat bore the
well-known crest of the Smiths--a fist
clinched upon a hammer-and | asked him
a few more questions. "What is he part
ing with the cob for ?'' was among the rest.
/" Missus used to drive him, sir but we're
going to have broom now and a sixteen
handler. It is a pity. though, for this here's