The morning call., 1892-08-27

to handle him. He had just life enough left
10 keep his feet. and yet the owner wanted
$3.50 for the animal
Horses, however. were not In demand
and the sale was not effected.
All day yesterday an old man in dilapl-
dated buggy, TO which was hitched the tot
terlng ruins of once horse, drove about
the streets trying to sell the rig for $3.50
lie had but one price, no more and no less,
and anybody with $3.50 cash could have
secured bargain. Both horse aud driver
were relics Of some remote period.
The man, who Is eyiden tly slightly de-
mented, Is at least 20 years of age. He
wore a rusty suit OF black and battered
plug hat that was popular when plug bats
were first invented. A long gray beard
hung half way down his breast and rim
OIL white bair glittered out from under the
rlm OF his hat. He sat bolt upright In the
middle OF the buggy-seat and drove slowly
along close to the curb Offering TO sell to
any one who had the price.
Ills high-priced steed was sorry-looking
Creature with duh, sunken eye, high hip
bones and an air OF general WEAKNESS.
Ills legs were full Of knots and he limped
with all four OF his feet simultaneously.
The only bright points about the animal
were the spots where the harness had
rubbed the hair of, and these places shone
like freshly polished boot
sudden start would have meant utter
and complete ruin for the entire outfit, but
the horse was happily beyond that stage
IN his career. He crept along at a slow
Walk, while his master eXtolled his merits
as the fatrest and greatest Of his species
Everybody was asked 10 purchase. Mes
senger-boys, peanut merchants, idlers, busi-
ness men and even women were offered this
desirable bargain in horseflesh at $3.50.
All day long the old man peddled his
horse. First he drove along Market
street, then up kearny street, then
down Montgomery and back again, oc-
occasionally making trips through side
streets aud alleys. When night came the
horse was still unsold, but he will be Of
fered 10 clamoring public to-day at the
same figure.
Market-s,reet pedestrians wore broad
smiles because of the queer appearance of
the man aud his rig.
About week ago the mysterious old man
and his few imperfect remin sciences of a
horse drove into Merchant street lie was
stopped at TIE mouth OF Dunbar alley by a
crowd OF Police Court lawyers and the usual
hangers-on about the police station. All
hands Immediately fell in love with the
horse, which greatly charmed the old man.
lie was further gratided when some one
examined the equine wreck and grayely an-
nouneed that he had pedigree equal TO any
III the horse world.
Then they started an auction, and in a few
minutes the animal was run up to the amaz-
Ing price of $1,000 This quite took the old
mans breath away, and he excitedly yelled
TO the auciiOneer:
KNOCK him down at that price"
The auctioneeI did SO. but the bidder had
fed, and the old man has not been able to
mud him. Since the sale he hes driven about
the streets offering TO sell out for $3.50. He
IS willing to let the horse GO al a sacrifice, as
he wants the money to bring suit against
the man who went back on his bargain at
the auction sale.
He is going to sue for the $1,000.