58 AT THE SIGN OF THE STOCK YARD INN 



and their tenants, members of Parliament, and all 

 that famous coterie that had for so long fore- 

 gathered at the Yarm and Darlington markets, came 

 with gigs or traps or saddlebags. Every yard was 

 filled to overflowing, and scores left their horses or 

 conveyances at adjoining farms. It was the event 

 of a generation. Ketton was fairly "eaten out of 

 house and home," and messengers were hurriedly 

 dispatched to Darlington for fresh supplies. 



One KINGSTON was the auctioneer, selling by the 

 glass, as did STRAFFORD and JOHN THORNTON in more 

 recent years. He had no aids, and received the 

 munificent sum of five guineas for auctioneering the 

 most famous herd of its time. The 4>7 head fetched 

 about $35,000, the bull Comet, as already mentioned, 

 bringing $5,000. The highest-priced female was 

 the white cow Lily at $2,150. Mr. COLLING had 

 reserved one treasured cow, the deep-milking, broad- 

 ribbed Magdalena by Comet; but WHITAKER, one of 

 the "old guard," importuned his friend to let him 

 have her. A reluctant consent was given this pro- 

 posal, and then indeed was Othello's occupation 

 truly gone forever. We have here a fine illustra- 

 tion of what one enterprising, intelligent farmer may 

 do for the world at large, if he be possessed of 

 vision and determination. Verily, peace and agri- 



