Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-10-13
Aumuruas department,
A HORSE STORY.

uOkSE SIUR1.
A keeper of hotel not fifty miles from
Boston, is, or was, famous man for trading
horses-owned many, and was always ready
for trade in such cattle He was sharp at
a bargain, and was never known to make a
move that didn't count on his side, until the
following happened, that proved an exception
to the rule. He always had some particular
horse on hand for any emergency of trade,
and the adroitness of his operation in putting
off beast, was subject of delightful ap.
proval on all hands, among connosuers Of
that delightful and much abused animal, the
horse. No one traded with Staffle that did
not confess himself satisfied, though satisfac-
tion being latitudinal word did not always
mean that the satisfaction was the ultimate
of happiness in the trade-like the same term
in connection with the duello.
There was jolly cobbler, whose name was
Wax, that occupied small shop near the
hotel, to whom Staffle was accustomed to re-
fer, in case of any stick in transaction, and
he being disinterested man, would decide
on the matter of difference, always, however,
Gliding in .avor of Staftle. Some, however,
went so far as to intimate that Statfle and the
cobbler had talked the matter over previous
ly, and had certain signs by which they un-
derstood each other.
When the stick came, then Staffle would
say-"Well, we'll, we can't get along any
further Now, I'm willing to leave it out
to third party, and as Mr.. Wax, round the
corner, knows the value of the horse am
swapping with you, he will be as good aud
candid an arbiter as we can find, and guess
will call him." Mr.. Wax would accord.
ingly come out, leather apron and all, and,
after looking at the matter candidly, would
decide that Staffle receive smart coDsidera-
tion as the difference in value, and this would
settle it nine times in ten.
One day there came along stranger with
pretty horse, and was at once the object OF
Staffie's interest. He examined the horse
in all its points, and determined to have
him. The determination worked itself up
to positive fever by the next morning, and
when the strangers horse was led out to be
harnessed, Stafle stepped up and asked the
owner, who was looking on, seeing that the
harness was properly adjusted, if he didn't
want to swap horses.
The stranger told him he hadn't the least
objection, provided he could make little
something out of it.
"Well," said Stafle, II am glad to hear
you say so. John, bring out the red colt"
The red colt was accordingly trotted out:
Its name was a misnomer. 1t was one OF
those animals that, having heen called colt
when legitimately entitled to the appellation,
had forfeited it by the offence of age, and
was now sailing under false colors. The
stranger looked at the "colt,'' and gave a
whistle, as he saw the discrepancy between
the age and the title.
"Well," said he at last, chow shall we
trade? "What are you willing to give to
boot ?"
"Boot" said Static, with feigned surprise,
"the boot is on'the other leg, I think"
"Ah !" said the man, eff you think so, we
will stop negotiating. Good morning"
"Hold on" cried Stafle, "hold on-don't
be in such hurry. Suppose I should offer
that please you?'
1T would not please me at ALL" was the
reply, 81 shouldn't want to take less than
eighty dollars"
"Well," said Static, II can't do that, but
I'll tell you what I will do-Ill leave it to
somebody"
"Done," replied the stranger, "anytbing
for trade Who will you leave it to p
Somebody, hope, that knows what horse
is"
"Never better Judge, sir" said Staffle,
delightedly, 'and here's just the man, of all
others, that would like to see, coming into
the yard. Good morning, Mr. Wax"
Wax nodded good morning back again,
and said so, and then stood with his hands
under his apron, looking at the horses.
"Mr Wax" continued Static, "this gen.
tleman and myself are trading horses, and
We want you to decide on the amount of boot
am to pay him. You know what an ex-
cellent horse the "colt'' is, and can judge by
comparing the two what the difference should
be-"
"Mr Wax, are you good judge of hor-
ses ?" asked the stranger.
"Mr Wax, nodded, and looked up into
his face, as much as to say, II should like
to have you find better one" He then
proceeded gravely to examine the two, and,
after standing with his arms akimbo for some
minutes, said :
II should think seventy-6ve dollars would
be about right"
'"Good," said the stranger, "five dollars isn't
much in trade. Give me seventy-6ve dol
lars and take the horse"
Static was as red as beet, and drawing
out his pocket-book, he counted out seventy
five dollars and paid them over. The trans
fer was made in silence, and the stranger
drove away. After he had gone, Stafae turn
ed to Wax, who stood there very smilingly,
and said:
"That was devil of trick you played on
me. What was you thinking of? Didn't
you understand that the colt was mine?"
ayes" replied Wax, "but you didn't sus-
pect that the other horse was mine, did you ?
bought him yestesday, on speculation"
saT In the year of 1S47 the Legislature of
Illinois gave to the then town of Rock ISL
and, in that State, city charter, which pro-
riIo1 60 IN oit