84 Cluo Coptrg. 



''What ! " ejaculated old B., with mock astonish- 

 ment, but, at the same time, well aware that his game 

 was played out. "What, makes a noise ! never heard 

 talk of such a thing ! you don't say so ! dear me I 

 dear me! and he don't grunt neither!" and then, 

 after a few seconds spent in deep thought, in a 

 pleading, disappointed tone, he proceeded : " Mr. 

 W., you well knows that a roarer ain't of no manner 

 of use to me ; none whatever. I buys 'unters and 

 'arness 'orses of sorts and colors, but they must be 

 sound ; hut you'' (with the slightest tinge of contempt 

 in his voice, which he could not for the life of him 

 conceal) ''you buys hanything — hever34hing, so to 

 speak — 'bussers, cabbers, and what not ; and a bit 

 of noise don't make no difference to you, particular 

 in one like that at such a paltry figure, for he's dirt 

 cheap as he is." 



"Not to me he ain't, guv'nor ; but rather than you 

 should 'ave such a 'oss on 'and, I could do wath him 

 at a price. What are you prepared to drop ? " 



"The 'oss is cheap, I tells you, as he is; very 

 cheap," continues Mr. B., not even resenting this 

 familar mode of address in his anxiety " to be out." 

 But his arguments and assurances were alike all 

 used in vain, for W. well knew that he had now 

 all the tricks in his own hand, and meant to score 

 his treble, which, to cut this already too long story 



