The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-04-07


deacon, but be was also esquire. having
been appointed Justice Of the Peace b,
Gov Hnbbsrd. si time when men per'
not plenty who would soeep, the Office
aud pay the see-a, leas, they had not best
plenty in Saybrook. But be be deacon OF
be be esquire, no glitiering title, or high
sounding refrain could cover up the man
and the man was simply skinfiini, ~
we shall see.
The deacon has been in his day noted
breeder Of horses, as be might have DO
come wealthy from that source alone,
could he have contented himself with hon
est returns for his ventures; but nothing
could content him while there appeared q
shadow Of gain beyond the stated bound
The last penny he would pocket, and then
fnme, and storm, and haggle, and lie until
he go, another penny on top of that Yes
I-he had been horse-dealer in his day,
and what he did not know about horses
was not worth knowing OF late, however,
he had kept little stock, choosing, he de-
elared, to "Shelter one or two OF the best
horses in the world rather than have his
stable filled with common, everyday
trash"
But the truth was, be did not keep many
horses because nobody who knew him
dared TO buy OF him; and horse known
to have been bought Of deacon Adamson
was very hard to sell.
One spring there moved into the town a
young farmer named Moses Midwell, who
purchased the old Cummings place, be-
lieving he could bring it back to what 1t
had been in other years, when It had rated
as the best farm in Cumberland county.
Midwell bad bought the farm aud paid for
it-had bought oil the tools Of the former
owner rand had bought and paid cash for
cyerythingneeded, save horse be had
heard his father, In the yoars gone, speak
OF Deacon Adamson as the best Judge OF
horse flesh in the State, aud having learned
that the deacon WAS still alive and living
in the village, he concluded that he would
apply to Linn for horse.
II you are going to trade with Deacon
Adamson, said one Of the neighbors, you
must keep your eyes open. He's dread
iul cheat, and he's got so used to lyin' that
be don't really know when he does let the
truth slip ont
However, Midwell knew something OF
horses, and was not afraid Of being badly
cheated.
But, he said to himself, il he does cheat
me Intentionally, / shall try to get even
with him.
So Mr.. Moses Midwell called upon the
deacon and made known his want.
Ali Midwelll son OF my old friendl I de-
clare, it does me good to see you And
you have come to live with us! Good
Your father and were like brothers.
And so the old man ratified on, as they
walked toward the stable.
Upon my word, my dear boy, yoh have
hit me in just the right moment, you
want the kind OF horse | should want, il
| we're in your place. Only the color-I
don know how that will suit you, Some
folks don tlike sorrel- can't say it's
favorite color with me-
But Midwell did not object to that.
They reached the stable, and .hs deacon
backed the horse from the stall. II he
pinched the animals nose, or twisted his
tongue, or stuck pin into his shoulder,
we cannot sny, but we can say that the
horse came out lively, praneing and vigor-
GUS, with ears erect and nostrils distended.
And it was certainly handsome horse
standing proudly erect Though pressure
Of the deacon's thumb and finger may
have had something to do with that,
limbs well proportioned; smooth in every |
joint; with coat fine and glossy.
There, sir, there you have him. was
offered hundred and fifty for him yester-
day and refused it point blank; but for old
associations sake--as q token Of remem.
brance OF your good old father--I'll let
you have him for just that figure. Mercy
il you can find fault with that there will
be no use in trying to serve you.
The deacon forgot TO state that the offer
TO which he had alluded had been made by
his hopeful son. However, that didn't
matter, for the horse, il perfect in every
regard, was worth every dollar named
But was he perfect?
There you have him, just as he stands
Mr.. Midwell. can warrant him sound in
win and limb because know; but / can't
warrant him free from things that no hu-
man being can see.
Mr.. Adamson, must trust to your word
to your honor. OF course you know
that would not wish to pay one hundred
and fifty dollars for horse that has Sc
rious blemish.
And you don't object to the color2
No; / rather like it. Sorrel isa plain
.olor and stands we'll /
Then. my dear Moses, said the deacon,
,tanding by the horses hind-quarter and
ooEing over the sweep Of that hauuch, /
AN give you my word that the horse has
lot 90. an ont that / can see-not one. Q
He's kind. willing, and strong, and sound
xindel, and tough-footed, and l never
snev him to see anything that frightened {
IT startled him. But, my dear boy, don't
eel delicate about refusing q trade. I
u you don't want him it's all right Per '
APPS can help you to trade somewhere !
.lse.
But Midwell vantsd the sorrsl horse,
md when he left the deaconTs premises be 9
IL - IL "a .....i Ia s..an Inn 4