Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-10-21
THE STORY OF THE BAY COLT
Or, Horse Trading a. Il 10 Traded In
Townshend.

toWUeUoHus
David Harum" is the sobrlquet APP
piled to Attorney Frank ID. Barber
since the outcome of horse-trading
trip which he made to Townshend
last Saturday. Frank is famous
among his brother barristers as a
good Judge Of "hossfiesh". In fact he
Is beginning to outshine his brother
Herbert in that particular line OF abil-
ity, but all of his previous negotia-
tions were eclipsed by the genuine
horse sense which he displayed at
Townshend Saturday. Mr.. Barber and
his younger brother visited that town
for the purpose of attending an auc-
ton at which several attractively de-
scribed equines were advertised FOR
disposal. Before the sale had pro-
crossed very far, however, Mr.. Barber
began to see how things were going
and at the same time came to the
conclusion that IL he were going to
get hold of anything at REASONABLE
figure strategy would have to be used.
one of the first animals put up
was a handsome mare. The bidding
at first was spirited but it soon be-
came evident that the owner had no
intention of letting the mare go, and
she was finally led back TO the barn.
bid in" at high price. Several other
good animals were brought out ana
disposed of in a similar manner, MI
BARRIERS gorge rising a trifle higher
every time the piece of presumption
was repeated. Finally his chance
came. While the principal by-bid-
der was in the barn near by a prom
Using four year-old colt was offered
and the bidding began at $40. 1t rose
slowly to $50, the auctioneer dawdlmg
unnecessarily over every bid ana
keeping his weather eye on the barn
door. Fifty dollars | am offered for
this promising colt" bawled the Of
fetal of the block in loud voice,
do | hear sixty? Who'll give me
sixty dollars for this colt. He's ap-
solutely sound and" Sixty, in
terrupted Mr.. Barber. All" said the
auetioneer. Il see this gentleman
knows a good boss when he sees IT,
sixty I'm bid, who'll make 1t sixty
five? What? Nobody going TO DID
sixty-five dollars for this colt? Why
[ think the owner Mr.. -, would
nay more than that for him. CIhis
in a loud voice toward the barn.)
At this point Mr.. BARRIERS ire es-
capped. See here he shouted, III
YOU are going to auction off that colt
auction him off; if not, take him back
to the barn with the others. MY blas
the highest and he comes pretty near
belonging to me by rights.
sixty dollars for this colt and not
another bid?" queried the auctioneer'
.why that's giving him away. Last
chance. sixty once, sixty twice, "a
long pause) three times and sold TO
this gentleman, let's see, what's the
name? oh, yes, TO Mr.. Barber lor
sixty dollars"
lust as the colt was knocked down
the owner of the stock hurried out Oh
the barn and came over TO Mr.. Barber
See here" he said, I'VE can't let you
have that colt. He was put up. py
mistake and should not have been
sold at ALL" Cant help that, Ia
conically replied Frank, hes mine
now" Say, we'll make 1t right win
YOU to leave him." continued the own
err. IF you'll make it right, all right,
answered Barber, but l can't stop
to attend TO it now
After watching several more horses
and some cows bid in, Mr.. Barber de-
cided he had seen all he wanted OF
that sort of an auction. Therefore ne
went over to the clerk, made out
check for $50, and took a receipt LOT
the sale. Then he went to the BARN
mt a halter on the colt and started
off to the hotel.
Hold on there" shouted the erst-
while owner, where are you gong
with that colt?" Home" said Mr.
Barber, contentedly. "Pll give you
ten dollars if you'll leave him. ar
gued the man. Mr.. Barber intlmated
that the man might go to the deuce
and started on I'm raise it to SD,
pleaded the Townshendite. My price
on this colt is one hundred dollars"
returned Frank coolly, "if you want
him at that figure, say so. If not go
hack and bid in few more III take
him" said the man, and forthwith ne
handed back Mr.. Barber's check ana
a roll of bills amounting to $40
THAT resembles making money
solemnly averred Justice Stowe, after
he had heard the story from MI
BARRIERS own lips