The Irish standard., 1886-08-28

about
'sHence you gave it up?''
eyes. You'd like to know, perhaps,
how it came round?''
''Certainly-let's hear it, by all
means
'sWell, it was kinder funny, too.
Father sent me one morning when /
was about fifteen or little over, to a
place called Meriden, with chickens and
squash for the market. 1t happened ]
took young colt with me father bought
short time before, and he was srnasher
for his age, tell you-only rising five,
and as pretty piece Of horse flesh as
you could scrape up in the hull country.
After selling the provisions and putting
the proceeds in my wallet, I dropped
into bar room to have drink before
| I'd start for hum. just as I took q cigar
after the brandy, long-legged, green
looking chap-v ermonter, guess he was
comes up TO- the. counter, and says he,
'Youngster, that horse Of yourn's pretty
smart horse, I reckon Well, yes, II
| said, considerable smart for colt.
what time does he make?' three and
half Says be-. No; can't do. it..
sCan't?' says +. Says he, No, } ha 81
gothic points for three and 4 half, no,
four neither WELL says I, quite
coolly, as lit my cigar, you can bet, il
you've mind to- agreed says he;
.what'll it hep I amt particular said
7. Well says he, treat forsall round,
if you've got no objection None,
says I; 'I'm quite agreeable
"Wel.. having got the lend Of sulky
from doctor in the neighborhood, we
marked the course, appointed time
keeper, and of I started. Crackie, how
that colt did put that day! Well, he
went it slick, I tell yer. The critter
knew iust's we'll as [ did myself what he
had got to do, and he struck out like a
good fellow"
"Won the bet, OF course?'
"Won it! Ye-e-s, and twenty seconds
to spare besides. sWelt' said the tall
fellow, coming up to me, as I stepped
from the sulky, and slapped the colt ON
the back,--'well,' said he, the did his
prettiest, reckin?'
ssSaid I, NO; not by a long chalk.
Darn the NATTER said he, che won the
bet, any way; SO come in and have a
drink AS the chap spoke, he beckoned
to two or three other hard-lcoking GUS
toners, that seemed to be loafing about
the corner, and then dove into an oyster
cellar. Brandy smashes and cigars for
Ave. said he, passing the bar-]xeeper.
You'll so that, younster, wor't you?
We'll, don't care if do said /, though
/ ain t much accustomed to it. ~
$50 you drank too much onthat occas-
ion?" observed one Of the company, in
terrupting the details, for he thought
Mr.. Weeks WAS growing rather tedious.
sYou'd better believe it, friend. Well,
to cut the story short, before left the
cellar that afternoon, I lost the price Of
the squash and chickens, and snapped
tie colt besides for Canadian pony, a
gold watch, and thirty-seven dollars i'll
cash. Next morning came, though, and
Q. scissors! if I didn't feel like suicide
Conscience stricken,'' said the priest,
s:for tbs nights debauch?'
Conscience stricken! Why, no; but
letting that green chap come it over NE
SO smooth Well, I swow, I never felt
so cheap in ali my lifea- that S fact"
stIEe cheated you, them"
s'--gness he did cheat me. Hold on a
bit, though; you'll hear. About seven
o'clock next morning, father came into
The kitchen swearing like fifty. l was
lying abed at The time, just thinking Of
getting up
"Where's The young scamp?' he cried;
by thunder, TIL cowhide him this min
ute within an inch of his life
s''Good gracious!' exclaimed mother.
rWhy; Amusa Weeks? Amt you asham-
ed?'
'ssNo, I amt.
g You oughter then
s Stand aside,' shouted father, and
let me pass
" sAmasa, ain you crazy?'
" Shut up, I say. The young Sound
nel! TIL teach him how to trade!'
s'spoor child, said mother, it was his
first trade; and what could you expect
Of boy Of fifteen? Why, gracious, if
he was taken in about that watch, it
amt agoin to ruin you--is it?'
sss.But the horse! the horse!' shouted
father.
&c The horse! why, what's the matter
with the horse?'
g 'Ihe matter!- -thunderation:s the
naatter!-the critters blind!'
" 'Blind!-.why, you dom say!'