, 1877-06-01
A Game of Bluff Well Played.

had arrived at the OUTSKIRTS OF the
town, and we stopped before a dirty
looking wooden cottage,
A tall man dressed in a long coat
reaching to his heels, bright yellow
trowsers, which were stuffed into pair
of red leather boots, while an enormous
black sheepskin cap covered his head,
came out and asked my business. I said
that wanted three horses to so to the
next stage, and asked him what he would
drive me there for, the regular tariff be-
ing about two rubles.
Zone of noble birth, replied the fell
low, 1.-The roads are bad, but my horses
will gallop the whole way. They are
excellent horses; all the people in town
look at them and envy me. They say
how fat they are! look, how round! The
governor has not got any horses like
mine in his stable. spoil them; 1 cher
ish them; and they gallop like the wind.
The people look, wonder and admire.
Come and see the dear little animals. :"
81 have no doubt about it. They are
excellent horses" replied; "but what
will you take me for ?"
LET US say four rubles, your excel
lency, and give me one on account.
Ore little whole silver ruble; for the
sake of God let me put it in my pocket,
and we will bless you"
"AQ right, was my answer, "send the
horses to the Tzarskoe Solo Inn imme-
diately."
Presently the fellow rushed into my
room. and bowing to the ground, took
off ,his cap with grandiose air, then
drawing out the money had given him
from some hidden recess in the neigh
borhood of his skin, he 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 loves the animal like a
brother. My uncle will not let his horse
leave the stable for less than five rubles.
What is to be done? told him 1 had
agreed to take you and even showed
him the money; but he is hard hearted
and stern"
VERY WE'LL" I said, "bring around
the horses"
In few minutes the fellow returned,
and exclaimed: Zone of noble birth; 1
am ashamedP
"Quite right" I said; "you have
every reason to be so; but go on, is your
uncle's horse dead ?"
mo, one of noble birth, not SO bad
as that; but my brother is vexed. He
has a share in one of the animals; he
will not let me drive him to the next
station for less than six rubles," and the
man putting on an expression in which
cunning, avarice and pretended sorrow
were blended, rubbed his forehead, and
added:
"What shall we do?
1 said, "Have you a grandmother p"
"Yes," he replied, much surprised,
'How did you know that? 1 have; a
very old grandmother.
that, fearing lest she should be annoy
ed if any accident were to happen dur
ing our journey, for you know misfor-
tunes occur sometimes; God sends
them" I added piously. "Yes, he
does, interrupted the man. 1--WE are q
simple people, you excellency." "And
not wishing to hurt the old lady's feel
ing, should the fore-leg of your uncles
horse, or the hind leg of your brothers
suffer on the road, 1 have changed my
mind, and shall not go with you to-day,
but take post horses tomorrow.
The man now became alarmed, think
ing he was about to lose his fare. He
rubbed his forehead violently, and then
exclaimed, 81 will take your excellency
for five rubles."
"But your brother ?"
'Never mind; he is an animal; let us
CO."
"No," answered, "I shall wait; the
post horses are beautiful horses. am
told they gallop like the wind; all the
people in the town look at them, and the
inspector loves them"
Let US say four rubles, your excel
lency."
"But your uncle might beat you. I
should not like you to be hurt"
''No," was the answer. Eve will go;"
and the knotty point being settled, We
nWUwa IN - Htrrurhs.ta 80 Tlf.Is A EIfr.. -