San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-27
THE BITTER BIT.
How Some Horse Traders Played Clever
Trick on a Sharp One of
the Fraternity.

| Tick on Sharp one OF
the Fraternity.
For the San Antonio LIGHT.
In Twenty-fOurth street, east OF Fourth
avenue, New York city. both sides Of the
street, as far as Second avenue, are line
with sale and exchange stables, OOm-
monty known as Bulls Head, where
tricks OF the trade are practiced upon
the green and unwary. One OF the old
est Of this frstarnity, who had sailed his
best friends and customers, was treated
iu bis turn by two of his victims as fol-
| lows:
Knowing no Old trick would eaten this
sharper, they finally hit upon n plan Of
action which the sequel Will show acted
to perfection. On taking up the Herald
one morning, AS was his custom, TO read
the horse notes, the following met his
eye:
For sale-Price S5O0-the fast and re-
liable gelding Tom Wonder, who trot-
ted over the Waverly track last season,
driven by MIR. Murphy, in the free-fOr-
all, winning in three straight heats;
time, 2:20, a:22, 2:20t. He wears no
boots, and can be driven by lady up TO
speed with safety; perfectly reliable; no
road too long for him; satisfactory rea-
sons given for selling at this low figure;
warranted sound, kind and perfect"
Mr.. Sharper smiled, and thought he
| would Just take a look at the horse, al
though he was too old bird to be
caught with such chaff. In taking the
number of street and stable he started
to lind Tom Wonder; finding the stable,
evidently private one, in the rear Of
one Of the numerous handsome resi-
dence around and everything in first
class style. On inquiring for the horse, u
slick-lOoking roam gelding was led out.
| He was fine specimen Of horse flesh,
| limbs clean as foal, high and sharp in
| the withers, and looked a wind splitter
| to perfection. 10 Sharper's enquiries, a
stylish groom answered that everything
would be guaranteed as represented,
and to n responsible party three days
would be given 10 test the speed.
Sharper asked II he would give him
the refusal on him until II O'Clock?
| (noOn). Yes" was the answer, but no
longer. Sharper left with the intention
| of proving himself a responsible party,
and getting trial. At 10 o'clock a very
handsome, and at all appearances a
| private carriage, drove up to Sharper's
| door. In the box WAS coachman and
| footman, both in livery. The turnout
In all respeci 8, denoting a very wealthy
owner. Upon the footman opening the
gentleman got out and came towards
Mr.. Sharper, who was smiling and try
Ing TO look innocent, as here was evil
IDENTIFY a fat goose TO be picked. Are
you Mr.. -r' calling Sharper by
name. "Yes sir" answered Sharper.
"Well, when you buy horse,i is to sell
again, is it not? While 1 buy for my
own use" Very true" says Sharper,
wondering what was coming. 81 have
just been TO see horse called
Tom Wonder" says the old gen
tleman; had ride after him
and am SO well pleased and willing to
buy. understand you have the refusal
on him, OF course | can't expect you to
sell nj the same figure at which you buy.
1 will give 5000 for him and take him
just as he IL, what say you? Agreed"
said Sharper. The old gent then said IL
will give you $50 now, to prove | mean
business, placing bran new $50 note In
Sharper's hand, and will be here by one
o'clock with my certified check for the
balance, S550," and refused to take any
receipt, saying, 81 like your looks my
friend, and such things are not needed
between honest folks" "By the way,
though" he called from the Carriage win
dow, "buy the horses, clothes for me II
you can get them at reasonable figure"
Hardly waiting for the carriage 10 get
out of sight, Mr.. Sharper with nearly
$500 taken from his safe was on his way
10 the stable of Tom Wonder, when the
groom wanted to know If he wished
trial? Said no, he guessed he knew
trotter when he saw one. and left lead
ing the horse through the street, and
S525 OF his money in the hands OF the
groom, who had given receipt frem the
widow of his late master, and while
thanking the gentleman, could not bear
to see horse leave, as Ii brought painful
recollections Of the happy past. Sharper
arrived safely at his stable where box
| stall was fitted up for Tom Wonder.
where Sharper left him standing to his
knees in clean rye straw, while he took
his station at the door waiting for the
old gent to appear. Time passed slowly
to Sharper, whose eyes were strained
looking for the beautiful turnout
once more. At 3 p. m. it began to grow
dark, and soon the street lamps were
lighted. At last, with osths that turned
the air blue about him, he installed one
of his stable boys in his chair, having
had no dinner, and 1t being then supper
time, he left, leaving instructions with
the boy to come for him at once, should
the old gent arrive.
1t Is hardly necessary to add that the
rig and stable had been hired for the oc-
casion, and that the old gent failed to
put In an appearance with his certified
check. Next morning Tom Wonder was
hitched to Sharper's buggy for spin up
the road. He sulked and baked in the
most approved fashion. The other
dealers, who by this time were posted,
sung out to him, Push on the lines"
Reef him." etc. Wonder was taken
back and put in an old open stall.
Blanket and hood hung in the office,
while Sharper in white heat started
for the stable, where he had left his
S525. All was closed, with no sign Of
life about the place, and on inquiging Of
the agent was told the place had been
hired for one day, and could give him no
further satisfaction.
Tom Wonder was spirited away in the
dark OF night and his future was never
known to the lambs who put up the job.