The Worthington advance., 1878-11-14
The THIRTY.NINE DOLLAR MARE.


where I then lived. who was very fair
judge of horse, and who generally own.
ed 'rusher,' for those times though al
most his entire fortune was ordinarily in
vested in his crab He sold his mare
one day, and kept his eye open for an
other beast, when the right kind Of an
animal might fall in his way.
"It chanced soon afterward, that there
came to the door of his little shop, one
day, gray ,nare-a long, lean-bodied
wench--the owner of which desired to
have her shod. The blacksmith looked
in her mouth Gas horsemcn sometimes
willy, and then he tried her dock. He
stood in front of her, and then beside
of her, and then examined her feet-and
then went to work to shoe her.
".How old is she2' he asked, quietly,
as he proceeded to pare and trim her
hoofs.
"'Nine years come spring. said her
owner.
"The blacksmith looked in her mouth
again, and said, Yes, you can warrant
that
"'Warrant! we'll, she's good beast,
anyhow responded the other.
"'1s she soundp
"'As fresh hick'ry nut
"'Kindl'
"'As cosset Sheep
"'Maybe you'd sell herF continued the
blacksmith, slowly, as he finished her
last foot.
"'Yes,' replied the owner, handing the
blacksmith, q dollor for his job. Yes,
III sell her.
"'How much money, cash down9"
Forty five dollars
"'Five and forty2 She must be a
good un, then.'
"'She is good one.'
essay forty, stranger, and I'll venture
to take her.
'sThe bargain was closed, and the
stranger walked away with his old sad
die On his arm. and the gray mare walk
ed into the blacksmith's 8 little shed stable.
1t was heap Of money for him to put
into single horse, but he thought she
had points in her making up, notwith-
standing The fact that she hadn't been
overfed of late, or too carefully groomed.
"A little care and grooming soon
developed her more satisfactorily, aud
the purchaser, CHANGING to be dozen
miles from home one night, hurried u
her cakes on his way back, and led
noted three minute peltcr straight into
town. like open and shut.
"'Well done, we'll dcne, old thirty
nine!' said the blacksmith. enthusiast
cally, as he applied two huge straw wisps
to her reeking sides, nor left her while a
single hair was turned upon her body.
We'll done, old oman; I'll take you
round Walnut Hill, and we II see about
this
"And he did take her therc--once,
twice, thrice-titty times; but he said
nothing, only that the mare was good
crcetur to draw, and he was content with
her.
"At the end of four or five months, the
old man took leathern pouch, shut up
shop, and rode his gray mare into Boston
hating at the old Eastern Stage House
in Ann Street. Hero he remained quietly
for three or four days, scarcely showing
himself, and never speaking Of his mare.
"Ore evening he heard some of the
boys in the bar-room talking horse,'
ana he listened earnestly.
"'Go2" said one of them, Il rather
think he can. in two-tifty, surel'
"'Ha, hat roared the rest, for three
minute horses, even, were not very plenty
at that period.
"'Go! I'd like to match him again st
something that can t:ot. Your wriggles
and hackers and runners are not the
thing. Give me a square 1rotter, and
can Just leave him. That's all.'
Ken; your asked voice near by,
modestiy.
1.-THE company tuncd about, and saw
an unshorn, rough-visaged man sitting in
his shirt-sleevee, to whom the young
buck did not reply at all. Our black
smith, for it was he, continued to smoke
the pipe. The boys put their heads to.
gether for lark, and the foremost asked
Perhaps you've got horse that you
would like to exercise little2'
"' Yaas,' responded the rude-dressed
stranger; L don't mind little exercise
for the old mare. But you don't bate
nothing on it, take it2'
"'Why, yes. Just for the name of the
thing, we'll go five hundred or so.'
Five hundred what2' exclaimed the
green un, jumping from his chair and
smashing his pipe at the came moment.
Five hundred dollars. to be sure.'
%, git out! you're jokin''
"'No: We can't trot him sbort of that;
it wouldn't pay
"'Wal, now, look here, nabur; I'll tell
you what I'll do. I'll trot boss again
hoss-yourn again mins-in. .barness.'
No, sir, that won't do
But five hundredl Come. say fitty.
That's enough, rally
"But there was no other way, ana the
blacksmith placed his money at last in
the landlords hands. which the sharperE
instantly covered.
"'Do you know him1' they asked, as
the old fellow moved off.
"No,' said the host: he has Just come
in from Salem, he ssys.'
The preiiminaries were quickly ar
ranged and the afternoon but one fol-
lowing was named far the trot, over
the Upper Mill Dam Road. Everybod,
had heard of tue queer bet berore night
the next evening, and the road was filled
with pedestrians and carriages. The
challenging party lived in Charlestown,
and the horse they had named was the
crack of the time; 20 they cared nothing
about what Was to trot against him, and
asked no questions. - ..'f<.r
WThe 0aV WAN clear and coo1 on1 tha