Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-09-28

| A dozen different artlnces are RESORT
ed to by horsemen and horse sharpers
to conceal the age Of an animal after
he has passed his tenth year. No
buyer need be deceived, however, who
will follow the rules herewith laid
down, You want to buy horse an
animal not over 8 years OF age. The
report gets out some way, and you re-
ceive postal card inviting you to call
at a certain place. The would-be sell
err takes you for green-horn and is
all ready for you. Your line of pro-
ceedings is as straight as board Ask
TO have the horse brought out into
the alley, where you have the full
light of day. Begin by looking at his
feet and artery you haveinspected them
shake your head in a dubious way, as
if YOU wouldn't give $40 for the beast.
Next hold the horses head close to
YOUR face and job your index finger at
his eyes. If you job hard enough you
will hit the eye-ball. Then pull his
right ear down and blow into it. You
NAV blow him off his feet, but it is not
probable. Then punch him in the
ribs, press on his spine, look very du-
bious and inquire:
"How old do you call him?'
Eight last spring." the man will re-
ply.
Then YOU will for the first time open
the horses mouth, take a lightning
survey, and turn away with the re-
mark:
Hell never see 25 again"
What
ut was very foolish in you to put
up such job on me-"
Job! Why, sir, you are sadly mis-
taken"
Eyes. know; but don't want him
just the same. He's got all the marks
of a horse who has passed his twenty
fifth year. l want an old nag for
grinding tan bark, but | can't take
one over 16 years old"
Say, mister, l see you know your
gait, and it's no use to try to work
YOU. He's Is years and a month, and
YOU can have him for 1926"
You can make any excuse you wish
to get away, but you have accomplish
ed the great point in a horse transac-
ton.
If you are selling an old horse the
case will be different. When the
would be buyer makes his call keep
him waiting for at least five minutes.
Then. when he has stated his errand,
YOU must obviously observe:
Il did say l would sell him, as L
want to get big cart horse, but the
wife and children take on so that 1t
goes againt the grain. Weraised him,
YOU know, and he's like one of the
family"
If you raised him you must know
his exact age"
"Oh, certainly. Got his birthday
down in an old diary. Billie is 8 years
and a month old"
The man looks at Billie's teeth and
replies:
Ten years DID, Why, the beast is
above so or I'm liar"
Now you want to lead the horse
back into the stall and innocently re-
mark to the visitor:
You will excuse me, sir, but l am
very busy this morning"
But about the horse?"
'Oh, he wouldn't please you, sir.
You'd always feel thatyou were cheat
ed?"
Isn't he 20?'
Didn't | say l had his birthday
in writing Didn't feed him milk with
my own hands?'
He has the teeth of an old horse"
Very we'll sir No harm done of
course"
IL rather like his looks"
80 does everybody. He'sa horse to
be proud Of"
Just what | want if was only sure
about his age
Excuse me, sir, but | must go in and
soothe the children. They are crying
for fear I'll sell Billie"
well, I'll take him at $3.50 If you
saw he's ONLY 10 that settles it, for |
know YOU to be a man who wouldn't