SELECTION. 123 



horses in all Europe, solely for the pleasure of dis- 

 tributing them at nominal prices among his 

 favorites and friends. Oh, ecstasy ! '' the young 

 gentleman" is permitted to know that he is him- 

 self a member of that blissful band — a Knight of 

 Arthur's Table. The good dealer has *'just such 

 another young un of his own," and will forthwith 

 exhibit to his counterpart a splendid series of 

 steeds, on which his lad has won the principal 

 steeplechases, and led the clippingest runs of the 

 season. How their coats shine as the neat cloth- 

 ing glides smoothly from their glossy quarters ! 

 How they snort as they leave their stalls ! How 

 proudly they elevate (I disdain that puny mono- 

 syllable, cock) their trim-cut, well-combed tails ; 

 and how genially the good dealer whispers to the 

 young gentleman, with a kindly nudge and wink : 

 *' That's about all you'll let the field see of him, if 

 you buys him, and gets a start !" And suppose 

 at this juncture you also whisper in the other ear: 

 "Try them, and take your choice." 



Or go with his pretty sister to some jeweller's 

 glittering store. Let him display to eyes far 

 brighter than his diamonds, and with a tender 

 grace of manipulation which tells how costly is his 

 ware, casket after casket of lustrous gems. Then 

 invite her to select her suite. Or take her to some 



