Year: 1875

Sam Varney was n Green Mountain
Boy. He had worked as a hired man on
different farms, and had laid up some
money. He had frequently been ell
pIoyed in bringing loads of produce to
the Boston market, and had made sales
quite satisfactory TO his employers. On
several occasions he had made little
speeulations of his own which were quite
profitable.


On one of his visits to Boston, Sam
had fallen in with a sailor, who was a
native of the same town where he him
self was born, and they had great deal
of conversation. One of the interesting
facts which SAM learned from his towns
men was, that sailors were occasionally
permitted to take out n small venture,
as it was called, of their own, "A little
package of goods, a barrel of mackerel,
or something OF that sort, which would
not take up much room in the vessel;
this they sold, and brought home the
proceeds in the produce of the country
they visited.


On his return home, Sam meditated
profoundly on this subject; and finally
concluded to make a voyage to the West
Indies, and take n venture with him.
The next question was what this ven
ture should be- He had nothing Oh hand
4I. I,,f ICrcn trlai ha
had won at a rattle, and had not yet been
able to dispose of. He was not a very
beautiful horse. On the contrary he was
pronounced by the neighbors to be an
lawful ugly hoss." His neck was too
short: his head was too long. His body
was lean and scraggy. His name was
rough and refractory, and persisted in
standing up too much in spite OF Trim
ming and grooming, and his tail looked
like a map. But Sam had ridden him
repeatedly; and found him capable Of
great speed in running.


The sailor had told Sam that whole
cargoes of horses were frequently sent
from Connecticut to the West Indies and
disposed of at large profit. So he de-
termined that his horse should be his
venture. Accordingly lac mounted him,
rode down to Boston, put him into a
stable and went IN search of his sailor
friend. He soon found him, and com
municated his plan. His acquaintance,
Tom Standish by name, was afraid he
would not be able to carry it out, but
promised &c lend all the assistance in his
power. He had just shipped in y vessel
hnund for Jamaica, and more hands were
wanted. He introduced him to the cap
tain, who made no objections to ship
ping him as n green hand.


When the question Of the venture
came up there was difficulty. He had
no Accommodations for a horse Oh bOaId
the brig. Sam offered to put him on
deck and take care of him. This would
be ineouvenient and would interfere
with his duty. Determined to carry his
point, Sam offered to pay freight, cash
down, before sailing; and the captain,
rather amused at his PsrtiuaCity, and
curious to see how the venture would
succeed, agreed to the proposal. So the
horse was duiy shipped, and the vessel
sailed.


Sam was the butt of the sailors during
the whole voyage out. There was ho
end to their jeers at the appearance -
the little horse. Their nautical jokes
on him were ineXhaustible; and Sam
Varney's venture was considered the
most desperate and ridiculous spe:ula-
ton that had evef been attempted.


But Sam was perfectly imperturbable.
He answered all their raileries good-na-
turedIy, and told them ''they had bet
ter wait and see the upshOt. He had
never made bad speculation yet, and
he guessed he knew what he was about.
The hoss was not a very handsome hoss,
but he was a very good one. He guess
ed he could sell him."


At length the brig arrived at Kingston,
Jamaica, and Sam soon had his horse
landed and stabbed. When he came to
offer him for sale, nobody seemed in
clined to buy. The horse was too ugly
for a saddle or gig horse; and the very
hackmen turned up their noses at him.
Presently the races came on, and every,
body was hurrying out OF town to the
race-course.


Sam mounted his horse and rode out
with the rest. He looked on with muct
interest at the first race. He observed
that the horses were not remarkable fol
their speed. There appeared to be nc
thoroughbred blood horses among them
and he concluded that the races had
been COTTON up by the planters for theiI
love of sport, without having any rea
race horses on the island. He believed
that his little horse could beat them all
and he determined at all hazards tC
give him trial; so he went to the stew
ards and offered to enter him for tn,
next race.


Sans proposition was received Will
shouts of laughter. 1t was considered |
capital joke. But Sam told them it wa
no joke. He was perfectly serious. III
wanted to run his horse against the field
] and was ready to bet on him, He wa