Ctt for Cat, 13 



not unfrequently shared the honours of "a deal" with 

 the diminutive five-barred gate, or even the ostenta- 

 tious, though roomy double w^ithout. He knew his 

 business too well to risk even the semblance of a 

 brook, though, in that seductive paddock ! 



He was quite the gentleman, was Mr. Brigs, 

 and subscribed in such proportions to all the local 

 charities and institutions as the lists of donors and 

 donations were made public ; and was he not 

 respected by all, and written up by the Bladefovd 

 Express and Micddleton Chronicle accordingly ! 



The instances of his having sold horses well are 

 naturally multitudinous, but I have only myself once 

 heard of his being personally thoroughly outwitted, 

 and it happened on this wise. Young Will Horse- 

 man, a farmer and fine rider, who had usually a horse 

 or two to sell, and was always ready to buy, and 

 capable of " making " a green one, was, one market- 

 day, sauntering along under old Brigs' window at 

 Muddleton, when his attention was attracted by the 

 casement being pretty vigorously tapped from within 

 by no other than the great dealer himself, who, having 

 raised it and protruded his somewhat ruddy counten- 

 ance, thus spoke : 



" I've a nice young 'oss what 'ill suit you, young 

 man ; one as wants a bit of making, but 'ill pay for 

 it. Come and have a look at him ?" 



