The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-21
A Game Of Bluff Well Played.

/ had arrived at the outskirts of the
town, and we stopped before dirty look.
ing wooden cottage.
A tall man, dressed in long coat reach
ing to his heels, bright yellow trousers,
which were stuffed into a pair of red
leather boots, while an enormous black
sheep.skin cap covered his head, came
out and asked my business. | said that
wanted three horses to go to the next
stage, and asked him what he would drive
me there for, the regular postal tariff being
about two rubles.
"One of noble BIRTH" replied the fell
low, the roads are bad, but my horses
will gallcp the whole way. They are ex-
cellent horses; all the people in the town
look ct them and envy me. They say
how fat they arei look bow round I The
in his stable. l spell them; cherish
them; and they galIop like the wind.
The people look, wonder and admire
Come and see the dear little animals"
"I have no doubt about it. They are
excellent horses" Ireplied; but what
will you take me for?'
I" Let us say four rubles, Your Excellen-
cy, and give me one on account. One
little whole silver ruble; for the sake Of
God let me put it in my pocket, and we
will bless you y !,
sAll right" was my answer. Send
the horses to the Tzarskoss Selo Inn immess
d:ately."
Presently the fellow rushed into my
room, and, bowling to the ground, took oil
his cap with grandiose air, then, draw
ing out the money had given him from
some hidden recess in me neighborhood
of his skin, thrust the ruble into my
hand, and exclaimed:
Little father, my uncle owns one Of
the horses; he is very angry. He says
that he was not consulted in the matter,
and that he loved the animal like broth
er. Nv uncle will not let his horse leave
the stable for less than five rubles. What
is to be done, / told him that l had
agreed to take you, and even showed him
the money; but he is hard-hearted and
stern" y
Very WE'LL" I said; "bring round the
horses" gsf
ina few minutes the fellow returned
and exclaimeds s One of noble hiF,hs
am ashamed"
Quite fighf; said q yns hasa-svery
reason to be so; but 60 on; is Jour uncle'i
ssEo. one of noble birth, not . bsddl
thai; hut my brothG Is vexed. Behas q
share. in one Of The animals; he will no
let me drive him to tho next ststion fol
less than six rubles, and the man, put
ting on an expression in which cunning
avsrice and pretended sorrow were blend
ed, rubbed his forehead, and added
!" What shall We do r.
said, You havea grandmotherr'
Yes" he replied, much surprised
ahow did you know thats / have "a very
aWell,n / replied, 60 and tell hcl
that. fearing lest she should be annoyet
II any accident were to happen during
our journey-for you know misfortunes
occur sometimes; God sends them,"
added, piously. !" Yes, he does," inter
rupted the man. !" We are simple peo
Die. Your Excellency." And no
wishing to huEt the old lady's feelings
should the fore-leg of your uncle's horst
or the hind leg of your brothers suffer OF
the road, have changed my mind, ant
shall not go with you to-day, but TAXI
post horses tomorrow"
The man now became alarmed, think
ing he was about to lose his fare. HI
rubbed his forehead violently, and thel
exclaimed:
II win take Your Excellency for av'
ruhles."
. But your brotherr'
Never mind; he is an animal; let y
CO."
mo- l answered, 81 shall wait; th'
post-horses are beautiful horses / am lolt
that they gallop like the wind; all tn
people in the town look at them, and th'