Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-11-07
1T TAKES A SHARPER.
Selling a Horse

a dozen different artifces are resort
ed TO by horsemen and horse shaTpers
to conceal the age of an animal, after
he has passed his tenth year. No buy
er need be deceived, however, who viii
follow tie rules herewith laid down.
You want TO buy hOrse-an animal
not over nine years of age The report
gets out in some way and you receive
postal card inviting you to call at
certain place. The would-be seller
takes you for a greenhOrn and is all
ready Tor you. Your line of proceed
ing is as straight rs a board. Ask 10
have the horse brought out into the
alley, where YOU have the full light OF
day. Begin by looking ut lis feet, and
after you have inspected them shake
your head in a dubious way, as If you
wouldn't give SO for the best.
Next hold the horses head close to
your face and jab your index finger at
his eyes. If you jab hard you'll hit the
eyeball. Then put the right ear down
and blow into Il. You may blow him
of his feet, but it is not probable.
Then punch him IN the ribs, press on
his spine, look very dubious and la-
quire:
How Old do you call EimE'
Eight last spring." the man will
reply.
Then YOU VIII for the first time open
the horses mouth, take lightning
survey, and turn away with the re-
mark:
"Heu never see twenty-five again,
"What?"
at was very foolish in you to put up
such job on me,
"Johl Why, sir, you are sadly mis-
taken"
Yes. l know; but l didn't want
him just the same. Hes got all the
marks of a horse who has Ia-sed lIlS
tweuty-Efth year. want an oil nag
Tor grinding taubark, but l can't take
one over sixteen years old"
s'Suv, master, / see you know your
gait, and it's no use to try TO work you.
He's fifteen To month, and you can
have him for Sl2j.'
You can make any excuse you wish
to get away, but you have accomplish
ed the point in a horse transaction
If YOU are selling an old horse the
case win be different. When the
would-Le buyer makes his call Keep
him waiting for at least five minutes
Then. when Er las stated his errand,
YOU must dubious observe:
u did say / would sell HIM, rs l want
10 get a big cart horse, but the wife
and children take on 50 that Il goes
against the grain. We raised him, you
know, and he's like one of the family"
III YOU raised him YOU must know
his exact age.
Oh, certainly, Billy IS nine years and
one month old. q"
The old man looks at Billy's teeth,
and replies:
Ten years oldi Why, the beast is
above twenty, or I'm liar"
Now you want % lead the horse back
into the stall, and iuuOceutIy remark 10
the visitor.
you viii excuse me, sir, but I'm
very busy this morning"
''Iut about the horSes''
"Oh, he won't please you, sir. |
You'd always feel that you were cheat |
ell"
Isn't he tweuty?''
''Didn't l say 1 had his birthday in |
writiug5 Didn't 1 feed him with my |
own hauds2"
''IIe has the teeth Of an old horse. -
VERY well, sir. No harm done, of |
course?''
IL rather like his looks"
80 does every body. He's a horse to
be proud of. 3"
''Just what I want, if 1 was only
sure about his age
Excuse me, sir, but l must 90 in
and sOothe the children. They are cry
ing for fear III sell Bil'v."
"Nell, III take him ,.. $50. If you
say he's only ten, that settles il, for | |
know you TO be a man who wouldn't |
lie nor deceive in u trade of any sort. -