The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27
GEORGIA SCENES
NO. 3-THE HORSE-SWAP

learned was Peter keteh, having exam
med Bullet TO his hearts content. ordered
his son Neddy to go and bring up kit
Needy soon appeared upon Kit. a we'll
formed sorrel of the middle size, and IN
good order. His conference.-the threw
Bullet entirely in the shade, though o
glance was sufficient to satisfy any one
that Bullet had the decided advantage OF
him in point of intellect.
WHY, man." said Blossom, do you
bring such a boss as that to trade for
Bullet? oh, I see, you've no notion OF
trading,i'
Ride him off. Neddyr' said Peter Kit
put off at handsome lope.
"Trot him baclS.' Kit came in at long,
sweeping trot, and stopped suddenly al
the crowd.
I Well said Blossom. "let me look al
him; maybe he'll do to plough
Examine him. said Peter, taking hold
of the bride close TO the mouth; "he's
nothing but tacky He amt as pretty
horse as Bullet, | know, but he'll do
start 'em together for a hundred and fifty
mile. and if Kit amt twenty mile ahead
OF him at the coming out, any man may
take Kit for nothing. But he's mon
strous mean horse, gentlemen; any man
may see that. He's the scariest horse
too, you ever saw. He won't do to hunt
on nohow. Stranger. will you let NeddS
have your rife to. shoot off him? Lay
the rifle between his ears, Neddy, and
shoot at the blaze in that stump. Tel
me when his head is high enough
Ned fired and hit the blaze. and Kit die
not move hairs breadth
Needy. take a couple of sticks, ano
beat on that 'hogshead at Kits tall"
Ned made. a tremendous rafting, al
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.
II 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
wagon for you, stranger? He'll cut the
same capers there he does here. Hes
a monstrous mean horse.
During all this time Blossom was ex-
aiming him with the incest scrutiny
Having examined his frame and limbs
he now looked at his eyes.
He's got a curious look out of his
eyes, said Blossom.
"Oh yes, SIR said Peter, Just as blind
as a bat Blind horses always have clear
eyes. Make motion at his eyes, if you
please. sir
Blossom did so. and Kit threw up his
head rather as il something pricked him
under the chin than as If fearing blow.
Blossom repeated the experiment, and
Ki- jerked back in considerable astonish-
ment
"Stone- blind you see, gentlemen, pro-
ceeded Peter; ''but he's just as good to
travel of a dark night as if he had eyes.
"BIane my buttons" said Blossom, iii
| like them eyesi"
mo-" said Peter, nor I neither. I'd
rather have EN- made of diamonds; but
they'll do-if they don't show as much
white as Bullets
WELL, said Blossom, make pass
at me-
mo-" said Peter. you made the ban
ter now make your pass"
"Well, I'm never afraid to price my
hosses. You must give me SIS boot"
ooh, certainly; say fifty, and my sad
die and bride in. Here, Neddy, my son,
take away daddy's horse"
"WelL'' said Blossom. 1--WE made my
pass, now you make yours
'I'm for short talk in a horse-swap,
and therefore always tell gentleman al
once what mean to do. You must give
me $le.'
Blossom swore absolutely, roundly and
profanely that lie never would give boot
'.Wen,,' said Peter. .sI didn't care about
trading; but you cut such high shines
that I thought I'd like to back youfout
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; therefore, give me
IS and take Bullet. I'd rather lose SIC
any time than not make trade, though
/ hate to fling away good boss
We'll, said Peter. 'I'll be as clever
as you are. Just put the So on Bullets
back and hand him over; it's trade"
Blossom swore again, as roundly as be-
fore, that he would not give boot; and,