42 Centatk ; 



size of the collar belonging to the set is eighteen and half 

 inches, and the fact is considered that the average length of 

 collars for horses above fifteen hands is from twenty to 

 twenty-two inches. 



The harness is declined; then the visitor saw the "being" 

 before him in his true colours, and was addressed in numerous 

 insulting expressions, such as '' he did not mean business 

 when he came ; — if the money is not available he could be 

 accommodated, either with that or anything else, — and the 

 sooner he was off his premises the better " (the writer con- 

 sidered him a perfect treat, without danger). His style of 

 *' rushing" being the way such unbusiness-like touts get their 

 living; which treatment is the more surprising when we 

 consider the fact that the legitimate tradesman never insults 

 or intimidates his customers under any circumstances. 



But the writer was not to be wiped out by the mean 

 manner and contemptible language of the man so anxious to 

 rid himself of his unprofitable visitor, and by way of retalia- 

 tion, elevated a thick-knobbed black thorn, a regular double- 

 barrelled walking stick, appearing to rub his nasal organ, 

 with the same, and addressed Mr. 8. as follows : — 



" Yes ! Mr. ' Bad Leather Merchant,' no doubt you are 

 quite right in all you say as to my knowledge of harness, 

 and I may have some difficulty in finding the money for the 

 purpose of encouraging your system of robbery, but, con- 

 sidering the fact that I have made a special journey here 

 this morning, at cost and inconvenience, to see your " extra- 

 ordinary bargain" with the view to purchasing, it will not be 

 in harmony with my regular way of doing business to return 

 satisfied with the sight of one set, and a job lot of rubbish, 

 spiced with your formidable bearing and low language ; it is 

 my purpose, ere I leave this establishment to demand an 

 immediate apology and all expenses incurred by your in- 

 ducements." 



Seeing the firm stand taken hy his visitor, and thinking 

 perhaps that discretion would prove better than exposure, 

 the half-cowed man (with his long hair and greasy collar) at 

 once handed over to the writer the sum of one guinea, with 

 an abundance of imitation regrets, and struggles to explain 

 his " excitement." 



But suppose, for the sake of argument, we purchase the 

 harness, and find that we are duped by this harness seller, 

 and bring the set home — with what result? to find, the collar 



