The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-02-13

Potter the s3, II am msu that, when
he makes bad trade, makes the most
of it until ne can make better. I'm
for no rues ard after clsps.
"That's just my way, said Peter:
II never goes to law to mend my bar
gains"
'Ah, you're the kind Of boy l love
to trade with. Here's your hoss, old
man. Take the and saddle bride cf him,
and I'll strip yours; but lift the blanket
easy from Bullets back, fer he's a
mighty tender backed boss.
The old man removed the saddle, but
the blank. stuck fast. He attempted
to raise it, and Bullet bowed himself,
Switched his tail and gave signs Ct bit
ing.
Don't hurt him, old man." said
Blossom archly, take it of easy. |
am, perhaps, leetle of the best man
at horse swap that ever catched a
COON"
Peter continued to pull at the blank
ct more and more roughly, and Bullet
became more and more cavortis h, irso-
much that when the blanket came cf
he had.reaohed the kicking point in
good earnest.
The removal Of the blanket disclosed
sore of Bullets backbone that seem
ed to have def d all medical skill. It
N asured six full inches in length, and
four in breadth, sEd bad as many feat,
ures as Bullet had motions. My heart
slckened at The sight, and | felt that
the brute who had been riding HIN in
that situation deserved the h.l.er.
The prevailing feeling, however,
was that Of mirth The laugh becam,
loud and general at the old mans ex
pense, and rustic witticlsns were
literally bestowed upon him and his
late purchase These Blossom continu-
ed to provoke by various remarks. He
asked the old man if he thought B lllet
would let S. lie on his back. He declar-
ed most s. riously that he had owned
that horse three % ,n,hs, and hid neVer
scovcred before that he had sore
back, "or he never would have thought
of trading him, ETC., etc y
The old man bore it al with the most
philcsophic composure He evinced no
ss,onishment at his late discovery, and
made no replies, but his own son Ned
dy had not disciplised his feelings
quite SO we'll. HIS yes opened wider
and wider. From the fist to the last
pull Of the blanket, and when the whole
sore burst upon his view, s-to 1lshmens
and fright seemed to ctn:eDd for the
mastery Of his counsenance. AS the
blanket disappeared lie stuck his hand
into his breecbes pockets, heaved a
deep sigh and lapsed into profound
rsverie, from which be was only arous-
ed BY the outs a, his father. He bore
them as lorg as he could; snd when he
could control himself no longer, be be-
gan, ri certain Wildness Of e1pres
sion, which gave a peculiar interest to
what he uttered: "His backs mighty
bad off, But dod trot my soul if he's put
it TO daddy as bad as he thinks be has,
for old Kits blind and deef, III be dod
trot if he ain's.
The devil he is, sad Blossom.
eyes, dod tros my soul If he ein't.
You walk him and see if he aia's. His
eyes don't look like it, but he q Just
as leave 60 again the house with ou,
or in ditch 50 anyhow. Now, you go
try him. The laugh was now turned
on Bosom, and many rushed to test
tie fidelity Of the little boys report.
A few experiments established It's truth
beyond ccntroV.r y.
"Neddy," said tie old man, you
oushtn's to try and make people dis
contented with their things, Stranger,
don't mind VIA. the little boy says. If
you can only get Kt rid Of them little
failiogs. you'll find him all sorts of 8
kcrse. You are little the best man at
a horse swap that ever l get hold Of;
but don,s fool away Kit. Come, Neddy,
my son let's be moving; the stranger
seems to be getting snappish."