Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-31
EPISODE IN A HORSE MARKET.
How a Crowd Of HOrsemen Entertained
an Old Man Who Had a Nag to Sell.

several men in the crowd.
Right here he is" replied the lank
old man, clasping his long legs affec-
tionately around the body of the ami
NAL upon which he was seated.
The auctioneers in the six stables
were unable to hold their audiences,
and all hands gathered around the
mar and his horse property, for such a
CHASTITY old couple had not been seen
since Simon Cameron and Mrs. Oliver
used to parade on Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. The rider wa evidently about
sixty-6ve years of age, aud the horse
about the same. Both we're gray.
The mar was toothless and the horse
almost so. Various comments were
made on the team and the crowd
piled the old nan with questions with
reference to the animal, something as
follows:
Does he remember General Wash
ington p
Can he walk without crutches ?"
Does he carry an ear-trumpet?'
DO you have to chew his food for
him ?" etc.
One mar looked into the horses
mouth and announced that he was
too old last spring"
The lank old farmer appeared to be
much pleased with the attention he
was receiving, and, taking off a bat
tered plug, bowed his acknowledge
ments to the crowd.
Fetch in the winged Pegasus, -
yelled an auctioncer, and we'll sec
what he'll bring"
An venue was quickly made
through the crowd, as many men as
could took hold of the horses bride,
one or two twisted his tail, eight or
tcn touched him up with thoir whips,
and thus was the grand entry made
into the stable, the old man bowling to
the right aud left, and plugging the
sad-eyed animal in the tanks with his
boot-heels.
A bid Of twenty-five cents was
made.
Shake up Bucephalus," said the
%auctioneer, "and let the gentlemen
look at his PAGES"
The old mar belabored the beast to
the rear end of the stable and return,
while a dozen watches were pulled on
him, and a dispute followed as to
whether the time was 2:l7 or l7:2.
This horse doesn't usually take the
whole end of the barn to turn in" ex-
planned the auctioneer, but he has a
touch of the rheumatism at present.
He'll be all right in the spring. | am
bid p cents. Now that you have seen
him move, does the gentleman wish to
withdraw his bid2"
The old man said he didn't like the
auctioneer's style, and, as he used to
be in the same business himself, he
would, if he wasn't so tired and
thirsty, get into the box and sell the
horse himself.
At this suggestion, he was dragged
from the saddle, carried to the auc-
tioneer's stand and that functionary
requested to make room for his uncle.
u must have a drink of-water.r
said the lank old party, as he spat a
sixpence and coughed feebly.
Water be blowedl" cried one of
the crowd well get you the regular
old juice of the juniperberry, that will
make your breath smell like a night
blooming cereus," and he disappeared
in a saloon adjoining.
The old party said water was plenty
good enough for him, but the other
article was produced and he drank it,
with q here's-to-you courtesy to the
crowd.
How much do | hear for this mag
niicent specimen of ss-hesh which
We have before us?" began the old
man with a flourish. Examine him
closely for blood or bone spawn, poll
evil, scratches, quarter crack, splint.
heaves, thumps, humps, bumps,
dumps, and when you find one I'll
eat it"
Fetch grandfather a cocktail"
said a voice, and a cocktail was
brought and drained to the dregs, the
old man murmuripg softly, heres
lookin' at you
Now, gents, DO good enough to bid
up lively, My boss may not be the
perfect quadruped described in the
poem by Byron, Burns and George
Francis Train, but no comes of the
same family | have his pedigree at
home, and It runs back to the time
Of Henry v"
Fetch him a sour mash ="
Il really ought not to drink any
more, but, as you say, it isn't often
that | come to town. therefore-my
regards
"Qhlige me by bidding up sharp
Thirty cents' yelled a voice.
Thank you. Thirty cents l am
bid. Gentlemen, you needn't be afraid
OF him. This is an animal | can rec
QmWend, He won't run down at tho
hool, cut in the eye, or shrink in the
wash. He is gentle as the suckin'
dove, and pulls like a f~ye.eent cigar"
"A gin-sling for the ancient mari
ncrl -
Gentlemen, your liberality is only
exceeded by your generosity, and If
my old woman knew | was feastin'
and drinkin with tho immortal gods
she would swoOp down upon w like a
bosom e. destruction in a red petit
Goat but-here's hopin' we may all
live to see politics and religion puri-
fed, and the red ribbon Oftemperance
encompass the round earth from Qua
dalquiyjr 10 Kansas City"
Fall back for a Tom and jerry
Really, gentlemen, | can't permit
this expense to be all on one side, like
the handle of a coffee pot, and the
moment ! sell this animal I'll rccipro-