Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-05-21
THE HORSE WITH THE WHITE
STOCKINGS.

STOCKINGS.
When | was young and foolish a trade in
horses came near being my death. | have
since been cautious in such matters and when
l want new horse now l get him where
can learn his pedigree, and the history OF his
life and ownerBhip. l have learned that "a
horse is vain thing for safety, as the Scrip
lures have it. Twenty years ago, however,
though my purse was light my desires were
far-reaching enough, and often led me into
indiscreetness. Among other things that
passionately coveted was a good horse. NY
money and credit combined were not suffi.
cient to purchase one, and the nearest ap-
prosch made to possession was the sport of
speeding trotters belonging to other men ;
for WAS an excellent hand at training horses,
and never saw the animal that / couldn't con-
troll
invested my available funds, fifty dollars.
in horse. He was not beautiful, but he had
some points" and went to work improy-
ing them. II that horse had cost SO, 600 he
couldn't have had better care. Just enough
exercise, food cunniDgly prepared by myself,
comfort and luxury which he had never
known before, soon told on him. In three
weeks he looked fat and sleek certain gals
and sores disappeared as il by magic, and the
shining coat. spent Sl5 on him and sold
for 500, clear gain of $35. l bought an
other, and, after three or four Investments, l
owned good horse fine looking, stylish,
and an excellent roadster, though not good
enough to satisfy my ambition.
had nov exhausted home resources and
earned the reputation of being Jockey. Ny
neighbors made attempts to improve their
own stock, instead of paying me indirectly
for doing so. Whenever | tried to buy a
horse, his value rose 40 per cent. SO de-
termed to go abroad in search of a really fine
horse. With this intention fitted up a light
wagon to hold few Yankee notions, hoping
to sell enough to pay my expenses, aud start.
ed out, ostensbly q peddleF, really a horse
trader. travelled for week or two through
what was then q spsrsely settled country, but
is now fiourishlng and wealthy portion Of
the west. | found that the profit on needles,
eyeglasses and clocks paid my slight ex.
penses but | did not fall in with such a
horse rs | wanted. Finally l came into the
region where one Truman, q stock raiser, was
known, and began to hear of his fame. Peo.
pie informed me that at his place, five miles
from MarckvIlle, l would probably find a
horse to suit me and Truman was always
ready for trade. So l made my way along
by-roads and across country to find Truman,
aud one bright morning learned that was
within twenty miles of his place, and could
easily reach it by noon.
As l rode on over the hills met man rid.
ing remarkably fine horse, one that took
my eye at a glance. He was about fifteen
and half hands high and coal black there
was not particle of other color on him, ex-
cept that his hind legs, from the hook TO the
fetlock, we're white and looked as though he
wore two white stockings The thin, clean
cut limbs, the full chest, the flowing name and
tail, the broad forehead, the large, delicate
nOstrils, the clear eye and the spirited arch
OF the neck, proclaimed the thoroughbred. l
read that horses qualities as l would read q
printed page and inwardly exclaimed, Here
is what | am looking for" The man who
rode this handsome animal was not promising
in appearance. He had what should call in
a horse, bad eye, and a scar across his fore.
head gave him an ugly, cross grained look.
Drawing rein, said, Good morning, sir :;
that is aremarkably hne animal you are rid
ing"
"Oh yes, he'll do" said the man rather
grufiiy, "Be you a judge of horse flesh ?"
Not in particular, but l can tell when l
like horse"
"waa how do you like him ?" and he
patted the horses neck affectionately.
Very well. What will you take for him p
money couldn't buy him, stranger. Fact
ia, I've rode this horse so long that him and
me is old friends. Then, too, he's a trick
horse. Been in circus. For instance"
Dismounting, the man gave his horse pinch
Just in front of the tail and the animals
head went down and his heels up in an in
stant.
That's what used to call maxim bow.
Now then, Roderick, attention" Keeping
his eye fixed on that of the horse, the man
backed around in circle and the horse fol-
lowed him. At a signal that scarcely saw,
the animal stood on his hind legs and "pre.
sented arms" "Sharp, now, Roderick 90
limpy," was the next command, and the
horse was cripple going feebly on three
legs.
"Can any one make him do those things P'
inquired.
"Gertnly, certnly; Roderick knows what
he knows. Hes all I've got in the world /;
but sometimes think I'd trade him for a
horse and wagon, and lot of peddler's no.
tions, and the man looked at me squarely in
the eye-such a cold, snake look as he had
too
"Oho !" l said, suppressing as best could
my vehement anxiety to possess that horse /;
$50 you will trade, il you won't sell ?"
"Thats about it, stranger, if can get boot
enough"
you are a cool one, replied "Here is
a horse, and wagon full of dry goods, and
you want cash besides"
"Wsa you can sell this horse to old Tru-
man for cash if you want to. Truman's got
just the match for him. Offered me $4OO
for him last week"
SIS that SOP Why, I'm on my way to Tru-
mans now"
"Yes, sir got just match to hair"
l left my wagon and looked the horse over
carefully. discovered no flaw or unsound-
ness in him. l was conoeited enough TO
think that could find market for him at
5000 at the very least,
"Better try his PAGES, mister" said the
man.
rode him few times up and down the
highway. His canter was as easy as the
rocking of cradle Coming back from a
longer turn than the others found my new
acquaintance seated in my wagon reins in
hand, as if ready for a start.
Tell you what, stranger, said he, "Ive
been looking over your stock while you've
been gone, and it's just the dieker for me.
I'll trade even If you say So"
"Agreed," replied, before he had time to
take back his offer.
The fellow turned and drove slowly of,
swinging his hat to me as he went over the
next hill, and kept on the road to Truman 8
delighted with my new acquisition. l tried
him on all the gaits, and in all he was kind
steady rapid, strong and easy, just the horse
under the saddle that l had always longed
for. For few hours l enjoyed exquisite
pleasure. About noon as / came down from
the hills to a well travelled road which led, as
l supposed, to Marekville, l met a man,
mounted, who looked at me with an express
sion at first of complete surprise, and then
of great satisfaction. l wondered why he
was so glad to see me, and, nodding to him,
1 renewed my oft-repeated inquiry of the
way TO Marckvile and Truman's
"Truman's ?" he said. Next turn to the
right"
l had ridden only few rods further when
fha man who had tnrnad and uaa foIiovir,.