The Washington times., 1894-12-26
A HoRsE-TRADER's SNAP.
Next Door Neighhors Change Horses and
Pay Him for 1t.

Next Door NeiShhorS GhanSc Horses ana
Pay Him for 1t.
A man named Coombs was a recognized au-
thority on horses. not only in certain lum-
Der region in Pennsylvania, where be carried
on brisk business in trading and selling
horses and fitting out the lumbermen with
teams, but also in the adjacent county he
gained a reputation for shrewdness' and
square dealing When the county fair was
held in September he was on the spot, and in
front OF the little store which be made his
headquarters there was always line OF horses
hitched to the fence, which the owners had
driven from different parts OF the country 10
be sold or traded according 10 the pleasure
Mr. Coombs. One day. as Coombs was lean
ing against his door post discussing the
merits of promising three-year-old with the
enthusiastic owner OF the animal. a wagon
entered the inclosure in front OF the shop and
stopped at the door.
man covered with dust, with a red face
and wilted appearance. jumped from the
wagon and addressed Mr.. Coombs: well, l
am glad to see you, Mr.. Coombs. Business
looks promising with you." looking around
AZ the horses on the grounds Perhaps l
am not dusty and hot, and perhaps don't
think deal OF you to come twenty miles in
this weather to make trade with you. Just
take look at that horse. He is a beauty. he
IS There isn I another like him in the coun-
try. but the fact is he is too speedy for me.
want a horse that will 90 well with the
other horse-something not too fast, some
thing strong and steady"
Mr.. Coombs showed much interest in the
matter. ami the farmer became more and
more convinced that be had acted wisely in
seeking mis- services. While they were talk
ing he saw MIR. Coombs' eyes rest in dreamy
way on a pair OF horses that were hitehed
near the door, The instant he saw the objects
OF Coombs' attention he exclaimed: ''Gad,
sir, think we have struck the very horse L
want the OF horse-that bay there. Look
him over IL he is sound and kind he will do
for me- I'll trade even. How does that
strike you?'
81 don't know" answered Coombs. doubt
fully. HE is an especially fine animal"
''Well. viii throw in $40. l will just step
over to the fair grounds, and you can think
il over
Presently another man appeared, the
owner of the especially fine animal"
"Have you found what 1 waat?" he asked,
Il must be getting home again. Twenty miles
before dark"
Take look at this horse" said Coombs,
pointing to the animal that the owner had
called too speedy" Hes just what you
want. Fast, lightly built and good match
Tor Yodr other horse"
The farmer looked at the horse. compared
il with his own horse, had it hitched up and
driven around the enclosure aud finally ex-
claimed: First rate; is il an even trader
Throw in $40 and you can have him. an
swered Coombs.
Its a bargain said the farmer. He gave
Coombs SO. and, leaving his especially fine
animal he drove his other horse and its
new mate down the dusty street. When he
had travelled about a mile one of the horses
cast shce, and he was obliged to stop at a
! blacksmith shop beside the road. While he
was chatting with his old acquaintance, the
! blacksmith. and waiting for the shoeing 10 be
| completed. he saw a wagon stop at the door
/ and an agitated voice exclaimed: Neigh
! Dor. ! want to know where you got that
/ hoTse|' pointing to the newly acquired ami
! nal.
The owner came out of the shop and an
/ swered with pride: Hes fine piece o
horsefesh. amt he? / made a trade witt
/ Coombs. = but he stopped abruptly, FOL
his eyes rested on the off horse in his neigh,
/ bor's team, and ne saw in it his Lately dis
carded property.
The two men looked at each other.
How much did you paYro boot?' asked
the man in the wa on.
Ten dollars" answered the other. "AnC
you?"
Ten dollars"
They were neighbors, they lived quarte
! of mile from each other, and they drove
home slowly side by side. thinking. no doubt
Of the long twenty miles over the dusty
road. of the $40 of each, and sometimes o
! Coombs.-New York Tribune.