Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-08-20
A Good Horse to Trade On.

A Good Horse to Trade On.
THERE is gentleman by the name Of
/ Smith living in Galveston, says the
Ne'Os Of that city, who keeps a kind of a
livery stable. Among other horses in
his custody was fine bay horse belong
\ ing 10 Jones. This horse, in cavorting
about the stable-yard, ran against q
wagon and broke his leg. OF course
Smith was responsible. All he had to
do was to send for a policeman, have
the animal shot and paw Jones about
$50, the value of the animal. Smith
notified the policeman and started out
to see Jones and inform him officially
about the accident. Now, Smith is con-
siderable of wag. Happening to meet
Brown, he asked If Brown did not want
to buy horse. II had been the dream
of Browns life to sit behind horse of
his own, and call out "g'lang." He
wanted a cheap horse and one that was
safe, so when Smith put the question to
him Brown replied, "Maybe so; if YOU
have the right kind of horse. Is Il a
steady, quiet horseP"
"He is the quietest horse you ever
saw"
"Won't he bite or kick, and is he not
| likely to run awayP'
4" If he bites, kicks or runs away, I'll
give your money back"
" Humph," said Brown, "what are
you asking for the wonderful animal Ph
"I'u let you have him cheap. He is
that fine bay horse Jones used to own.
| I'll let you have him for S21. Give me
81 down and your note for 800 more,
and it is bargain. Ihave no more use
for the horse, but l want money right
| off,
Brown thought to himself, "This is
the golden opportunity. Smith has
been tampering with cotton futures, and
is strapped. I'm sorry for him, but
| business is business. I'm not his
guardian !" so he planked down the dol
lar and gave his note for the balance.
If Brown was pleased with the trade,
Smith was still more so. He called to
several friends and treated the crowd
with the dollar, after which the process
sion formed and marched down to the
stable to see Browns new purchase.
When they got there the policeman had
already shot the poor brute, and he
looked like all he needed was an inquest.
Brown looked very much that way him
self. He turned pale and then got red
behind the ears. Then he smiled, but
it was not a particularly healthy smile.
Smith tried to help matters, and, as
soon as the crowd quit holding their
sides, he said
"Now, Brown, 1 don't want YOU TO
tell anybody that / swindled you. /
call on these gentlemen to witness that
I've done the square thing. This is
Jones' bay horse, the identical one l
sold you. l guaranteed he would not
bite nor kick, and you can not provoke
him to run away. l think he fills the
bill. l want you to take him off or I'll
charge you for keeping him."
"Boys," said Brown, " don't give me
away. know 1 am not the only fool
on Galveston Island. Let's 90 and hunt
for duplicate, and will set 'em up. ~
They strolled out and met Robinson.
"Look here, Robinson, don't you
want a right good horse at bargain
I've just bought Jones' fine bay horse.
He cost $50 originally, and he is in iust
the same condition he was when l got
him."
"Ohl" said Robinson, "tines are
hard and horse feed is awful high. A
high-stepping horse like Jones' bay will
eat his head off in no time"
"That's where you are fooling YOUR
self. He eats less than any horse you
ever saw. By thunder, no horse can eat
less than he can"
'Ain't he a little friskyP'i
Brown shook his head and replied :
" You are doing that horse Injustice.
You can tell by looking at him that he
is not that kind of an animal. I'll let you
have him for just what gave for him
$2l-Sl down and your note, secured
by such men as Heidenheimer, for the
balance. I've got TO have money"
Robinson thought it was mean to take
advantage of Browns distress, but then
it was not his lookout. If he was out Of
his head, why didn't he have the Court
appoint him a guardianP So he plank.
ed down 81 and gave the note, on con.
didon that the horse would go in a
wagon.
"You bet" replied Brown, "he'u
go in wagon. He won't go in any
thing else. Come, boys, let's spend
this dollar"
After they had wiped off their mouths,
the procession reformed and started 10
inspect the animal. Sure enough, three
niggers were lifting him in wagon
"There," said Brown, al told
you he would go in a wagon.
Don't say l swindled you. He will cal
less than any horse you ever owned
You will save his value in horse feed in
two weeks. just try and see if he is moi
gentle, Tickle him with a straw
The spectators applauded. Robinson
looked like he ought to go along with
his horse TO keep him in countenance.
In conclusion 1t is whispered on the
strand among capitalists that some Of
the notes have already passed into the
hands of innocent holders, and as they
mature protests will be in order.