Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-06-02
BLUFF WELL PLAYED.

ing wooden cottage.
A tall man dressed in long coat reach
ing to his heels, bright yellow trowsers,
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. l said that
/ wanted three horses to go to the next
stage, and asked him what he would drive
me there for, the regular postage tariff
being about two rubles.
Zone of noble BIRTH" replied the fell
low, the roads are bad, but my horses
will gallop the whole way. They are ex-
client horses all the people in the 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; cherish
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" I replied -" but what
will you take me for ?''
Let us say four rubles, your. excel
lency, 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"
." All right" was my answer, send
! the horses TO the Tzarskoe Selo Inn i'm
mediately."
Presently the fellow rushed into my
room and, bowing to the ground, took of
his cap with grandiose air, then, draw
ing out the money had given him from
some hidden recess in the neigh borhood
of his skin. he thrust the rube 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 broth
er. My uncle will not let his horse leave
the stable for less than five rubles. What
is to be done ] told him that / had
agreed TO take you and even showed him
the money; but he is hard hearted and
stern -
every WE'LL" l said " bring around
the horses"
In few minutes the fellow returned,
and exclaimed " One of noble birth
am ashamed I"
"Quite right" said "you have
every reason to be so ; but go on, is your
uncle's horse dead ?"
" No, 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 cum
ming, avarce and pretended sorrow were
blended, rubbed his forehead, and added
What shall we do ?"
" said, Have you grandmother ?''
Yes" he replied, much surprised
"How did you know that have a
very old grandmother"
WE'LL" / replied, "go ard tell Der
that, fearing lest she should be annoyed
if 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-
pie, your excellency." And, not wish
ing to hurt the old lady's feelings, should
the leg of your uncles horse, or the
hindleg Of your brothers. suffer on the
road, have chan ged my mind, and shall
not go with you to-day, but take post
horses to morrow"
The man became alarmed, thinking
he was about to lose his fare. He rub
bed his forehead violently, and then ex-
claimed, will take your excellency
for five rubles."
" But your brother ?"
"Never mind he is an animal let
us 60"
No. / answered, a shall wait
the post horses are beautiful horses
am told that they gallop like the wind
all the people in the town look at them,
and the inspector loves him."
" Let us say four rubles your excel
lency."
" But your uncle might beat you. !
should not like you to be hurt"
No." was the answer, we will go -
and the knotty point being thus settled,
we drove f.-Bmmady's " Ride to
KhiUd."