VI 

 BUYING A HUNTER 



THE HORSE-DEALER AND THE JOCKEY TWO WAYS OF BUYING A 



HORSE HOW SOME BUYERS GO ABOUT IT THE 



MARRIAGE CEREMONY 



HORSE-DEALER is generally looked upon 

 as a rogue — as if the notion prevailed that a 

 man can be honest and square in every business 

 but that of dealing in horses. When Amer- 

 ica was new there were what is known as horse-jockeys 

 or horse-traders, a profession nowadays confined mostly to 

 gypsies. It has come about, however, that horse-dealers 

 are, unfortunately, too often confounded with horse-jockeys. 

 I think it is not too much to say that dissatisfaction over 

 horse-dealing is due to the buyer, or his coachman, or a 

 friend, more often than to the dealer. As a matter of fact, 

 the deception is rarely all on the side of the dealer. 



Most men go about a horse deal too craftily. They 

 drive up to a dealer's stables with a groom, or a friend, or 

 both. 



*' Just passing, and thought we would come in and have 

 a look at your horses," they say. (Deception number one : 

 they came on purpose.) "Don't want to buy; just look- 

 ing round." (Deception number two.) 



71 



