The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-26

At THE HORSE AUCTION.
Study From Life in Lumpkin's Bottom
The Lively bidding.

If YOU are interested in valuable horse
flesh. you'll miss the opportunity of your
life by failing TO attend the great equine
exhibition and auction, which takes
place every Saturday at that picturesque
spot, Familiarity Known as Lumpkin's
Bottom.
| was there yesterday, and Il would be
useless TO attempt a detailed account OF
ali the interesting features that took
place The turfmen, the breeders, the
ploughmen. the antiquated farmer from
Ashcake, the stockman from Niger
Foot. the elib-tongued horse trader, the
driVer-in fact, they were all there ana
they made things lively for couple OF
hours.
Every grade Of nags-known to mankind
were on exhibition. There were the TN
shod eouines from HenrcO and Chester
field; the pure Kentucky bred steed, SER
viceable for the Tace-course, the pillow,
or the circus ring; the quadruped resem-
bling a hat rack in horse shape; the nag
that would look very stylish If he was Il I
shedding; the horse that has entered the
race from start 10 finish, as successful
candidate for the bone yard; the mare
with a blaze face, the three-yCar-old with
one ocular instrument, the colt Destined
70 cover the course in 1916, with suihcient
announcement from a blackjack bush,
the roadster whose menu has been Iml-
ted to prevent his eating his head on
the stallion with a past, the two-year-
old with a future, the fieet-footed mule
with a street-car record, and last, but
not least the submissive donkey with
a voice and a physiognomy that would
attract attention anywhere.
settled myself behind a large three
horse wagon TO secure some idea as 10
the best way of disposing of valuable
steeds, and took few notes on the pro-
ceedings.
The auctioneer was a tall. slender in
dividual with gray whiskers which he
had allowed TO grow tout or courtesy 10
the breezes), and tongue highly pollshed
for this particular profession. lie wore
a big SLOUGH hat, subdued coat ana
'brief' pair of trousers. IT would sur
prise you 10 see how many lofty tributes
he can apply 10 steed WITHIN the space
"Going at three dollars" he began,
"poina, at three. This noble steed with
a Western pedigree, going at three
Who'll give me four? Now your chance'
None of your Virginia nags; he proves IL
by his looks. Just gaze upon MS pullu'
substantial. gentle. work anywhere you
nut him, has the constitution or roch,
tell from his color. -Four! -FOUR! VINO II
make il five? -Four and half; gong at
Il
Won good service never was such bar
gain offered Going at four and half
four and a half, going, going
gone, at four and half,
A chestnut tinted, dilapidated nag, that
had evidently seen better days. was then
lead in for I. similar fate. The auctioneer'
with his thorough knowledge OK the
eouine species, mounted the stand ana
proceeded to dispose OF the beast as De-
fore. s, ~.
.What am i offered for the steed! Two
and a half; two ard a half for start;
ecinr nj two and a half; give me the
three, I'm offered three by spectator
going al three. Give me the half. why
Just look at the beast; gaze on MS coun,
tenance: take In his dimensions. foi
can't 60 10 heaven and buy better ami
mai. Going at three; going at tnree.
Examine the nag: watch MS moVe'hen's,
hid on the horse IL you want MN; Soins
M three; who'll make the nan. "o'ns
AT three; going-goine-gon az tnree uoi-
lars, ana the cheapest knock"down ever
made" .a 80 an.
The steeds were duly disposed OF one