The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1884-04-25
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRIP.
AN OLD FARMER WHO DIDN'T HANKER
AFTER THE ANIMAL" HE BOUGHT.
New York DisDatch.

southern portion of the Green noun
tain state, and it is not in the memory
of man that he ever had the worst of
bargain. Indeed, it was well known
that he would resort to any trick or
subterfuge to save dollar. His neigh
bors fought shy of him for that reason.
He was remarkably fond of -horsefesh
and a good judge, withal, priding HIM
self on driving the best team for miles
around. They were certainly hand
some pair, of creamy white, which
was only marred--or rendered odd,
according to taste-by black spot on
each of their foreheads. 1t was their
wonderful similarity that made the
pair so valuable. Even their owner
could scarcely tell one from the other.
Some time ago one of them was taken
with the staggers, and before Coles
could get veterinary surgeon it died.
The old man was terribly cut up at
this misfortune, which elected no SYM
pathy from his neighbors, who said it
was Judgment on him for his avarice
and general obnoxiousness.
Coles attended all the horse fairs
and sales that were advertised, seeking
in vain for new match for hisremain-
ing treasure, which seemed to' be all
ing through fretting for its mate. One
day he was returning home in disconso-
late mood, having been unsuccessful for
the twentieth time or more, and was
landing from the railroad station, when
he came upon a man who had the cut
of jockey, lying on the grassy path,
while few feet distant from him was
white horse, hitched by rope to the
fence.
He glanced at the man, who seemed
oblivious to surroundings, and then
walked up to the horse and examined
it.
cts pretty crittur," he said. eff
I'd only got black spot on the nose,
it'd match Snowdrop 'Zactly."
He looked at the man again. Then
at the horse, wistfully; scratched his
head and thought a bit.
The devil had never quite led him to
defy the law. But for legal conseguen-
ces he would have cut the rope that
fastened the animal and appropriated
it.
"Wonder if he'd SELL he said to him
self. Maybe I'll never quite match
Snowdrop. I may never hit such a
chance agin."
He gave the man a shove with
Halo, neigh bor.'
The man 10 oked up lazily. He had
been half asleep.
"Your hoss?"
81 reckon
"Whar you be agoin, neighbour"
"Bluestone fair"
"To sell?'
eyes, old man, less you want to
buy"
"Wal," replied the sly old fox, 'I
don't banker arter the animal. but if
your price amt too stiff p'raps L
mought."
Then, noticing that the man was
little ''on," he invited him to neigh
boring store, where he piled him with
whiskey, finally striking a bargain
largely in his favor, inasmuch as he
knew the horse was worth more than
thrice the hundred dollars he paid for
it.
Then for fear that its late owner
might sober up and repent of his bar
gain, he mounted the horse and gal
loped home, chuckling at his sharp
practice.
Arrived at the farm, he put the horse
in stable by itself and went in to
supper, his poor, ill-used wife wonder
ing what made the usually morose
fellow so merry.
AS he went in to examine his stock,
he was met by his hired man, who
looked weary and forlorn.
"Wal, Tom, what's been doin' since
I was away?'
'Somethin' dreadful, boss!"
"What 'ye mean? Speak out, man !"
"Snowdrops been stolen!'
Words could not describe the old
mans fury. When he quieted down a
little he exhibited his new purchase to
his man, who walked round and round
the horse in bewilderment. Finally,
after rigorous inspection, he swore
that it was Snowdrop.
"Snowdrop had a black spot on its
forehead, fool" roared his master.
"So's this uni" cried Tom, tri-
umphantly, as with rag saturated with
turpentine he washed off patch of
white paint that had hidden Snow
drops black spot.
Farmer Coles at once took to his
bed. That hundred dollars will be the
death of him. Besides, he had to give
Tom something to keep things quiet.
"KoLA' BETTER THAN COFFEE.
New York Sun.
The kola nut, largely used in tropical
f-.,o b. ~ nv