The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-09-21
THE H2asE sWAPpE2.
4 Ncs& Laughable Tale Frcm the
Georgia Scenes.

ing to the present generation.
1t is the story of how yellow Bios
som bantercd Peter ketch and was
properly caught. Yellow Blossom
believed that he was just "lcetle
Bit of the best man at a horse swap
that ever trod in shoe leather . Af-
ter describing Bullet: Blossoms horse,
and Kit, the 'critter' owned by Peter
Ketch, at some length, the story pro-
ceeds rs follows:
Il tell you. man, proceeded Vel
low Blossom, he is the best live horse
that ever trod the grit Of Georgia. Bob
Smart knows the horse Come here.
Bob, and mount this horse and show
Bullets motions. " Here Bullet bris-
tied up and looked as i he had been
hunting Bob all day long and had just
found him. Bob sprang on his back.
'Boo-oo-ooll" said Bob with a futter-
ing noise of the lips, and away went
Bullet as if in a quarter race with all
his beauties spread in handsome style.
''Now fetch him back. said Blossom.
Bullet turned and came in pretty much
as he went out.
Now, trot him by, Bullet reduced
his tail to customary, sided to the right
and left fairly. and exhibited at least
three var: lies of trot in the short space
of fifty yards.
Make him pace. Bob commenced
twitching the bride, and kicking at the
same time. These inconsistent move
ments obviously and most naturally dis
concerted Bullet, for it was impossible
for him to learn from the method
whether he was to proceed or stand
still. He started to trot and was told
that wouldn't 90. Heattempted can
ter, and vas check ed again. He stop
ped and was urged to 60 on. Bullet
now rushed into the wide field of expert
ment, and struck out on gait OF his
own that completely turned the tables
on his rider and certainly deserved a
patent. 1t seemed to have derived its
elements from the jig, the minuet, and
the cotilliou. If it was not pace 1t
certainly had pace in it, and no man
would venture to call it anything else;
so it passed off to the satisfaction OF the
owner.
''Walk him." Bullet was now at
home again, and he walked as if money
was staked on him.
The stranger whose name | after
wards learned was Peter Ketch, having
examined Bullet to his hearts content,
ordered his son Neddy to go and bring
up Kit. Neddy soon appeared upon
Kit. well-formed sorrel of the middle
size, and in good order. His tout en-
semble through Bullet entirely in the
shade, thouge glance was sufficient to
satisfy any one that Bullet had the de-
cided advantage of him in point of in
tellect.
After few banters, Peter Ketch is
quoted:
:'Neddy, take couple of sticks and
beat on that hogshead at Kits tail. ]"
Ned made tremendous rattling at
which Bullet took fright, broke his
bride and dashed off in grand style,
and would have stopped all further
negotiations by going home in disgust
had not a traveller arrested him and
brought him back; but Kit did not
move.
Il tell you gentlemen" continued
Peter, hes the scariest horse you ever
saw. He amt as gentle as Bullet, but
he won't do any harm'if you watch him.
Shall l put him in cart, gig or wagon
for you, stranger? He will cut the
same caper there he does here. He's a
monstrous mean horse.
During all this time Blossom was
examining him with the incest scrutiny.
Having examined his frame and limbs
he now looked at his eyes.
He's got curious look out Of his
eyes" said Blossom.
"Oh, yes, sir, said Peter, Just as
blind as bat. Blind horses always
have clear eyes. Make a motion at his
if you please, sir
Blossom did so, and Kit threw W
his head, rather as if something prickec
him under the chin than as if fearing a
blow. Blossom repeated the expert
ment, and Kit jerked back in consider
able astonishment.
Stone blind, you see- gentlemen,
proceeded Peter, ''but's he's just as
good to travel of dark night as if he
had ewes.
Blame my buttons" said Blossom
IF I like them eyes.
no" said Peter, nor I either. Id
rather have them made Of diamonds.
but they'll do-if they don't show as
much white as Bullets.
well, said Blossom, make pass
at me-
NO" said Peter, you made the
banter; now make your pass.
We'll, I'm never afraid to price
my horse. You must give me S23 tc
boot.
':Oh. certainly, say $50 and my sad,
die and bride in. Here Neddy, my
son, take daddy's horse.
Well" said Blossom, I've made
my pass. now make yours.
I'm for short talk in horse swap
and therefore always tell a gentleman
at once what | mean to do. You must
give me so.
Blossom swore absolutely. roundly
and profanely that he never would give
boot.
WELL" said Peter, Il didn't care
about trading; but you cut such high
shines, that I thought Id like to back
you out, and I've done it. Gentlemen,
you see I've brought him to a hack.
Come, old man. said Blossom:
I've been joking with you. begin
to think you do want to trade: There,
fore, give me S5 and take Bullet. "a
rather lose so any time than not make
trade, though l hate to fling away a
good horse.
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