217 



"Fifteen guineas bid. Sixteen: thank ye, 

 Sir : trust you won't have her for twenty ; quiet to 

 drive, carried a lady — Sound, Sir ? — There's not a 

 sounder horse in the yard. What do you hold her 

 that way for, blockhead ? Run her down again." 



She began to show lame, even in standing : but 

 had she fallen on the spot, it would not have saved 

 the poor tailor: he bid twenty guineas without 

 demur, and she was knocked down to him forth- 

 with. A precious pair were standing near me. 



" I'll be blest," said one of them, "if that an't 

 the old mare that Jem Spinks used to drive in the 

 four o'clock bus." 



" No, sure not ! she warn't blind ! only a little 

 groggy before." 



" She warn't groggy, by no means : very queer 

 about the eyes, but Jem sold her because she 

 kicked the splinter bar in two." 



Blind, lame, and vicious ! I thought it an act 

 of common charity to tell the purchaser. He 

 received the news with horror ; found no warranty 

 in his receipt, and resold the brute ere he left the 

 yard, for five pounds, twelve shillings, and six- 

 pence ! 



Public sales are dangerous places for sellers as 

 well as buyers. A learned barrister, well known 

 in the literary world for his critical acumen, sent 



