ABOUT BUYING A HORSE. m 



respectful distance from his nose in a corner), and is heard 

 to murmur, " Oh, ain't he a pretty creecher ! " 



The select crowd of loafing villagers, male and female, and 

 ragged children, offer their remarks to one another, and seem 

 to be generally on Jarvis's side of the bargain. 



"You'd better have him!" says Jarvis, in an off-hand 

 manner, as though he were advising me clear against his 

 own interest. " You won't get such another chance." 



Here an interruption to business arises from the visitors 

 taking their departure. Pullinger and his Ladies in the 

 carriage ; and the Equestrians on their horses again. 



Happy ThougJit. — To ask Pullinger, just before he's off, 

 what he really thinks about this cob of Jarvis's. 



" Ah ! " he says, slily, " I never would advise a friend 

 about a horse unless I knew the animal thoroughly. I 

 bought one the other day for fifty, and sold him a week 

 afterwards for twenty. The best judge may be deceived. 

 Get him on trial. I should be sorry to say ' Buy him,' and 

 then for you to turn round and say, ' It was all through 

 Pullinger that I lost my money.' No : you must decide for 

 yourself" And they are away. 



Bitter refiectioii as I watch thefn vanishmg 171 perspective : 

 Where is the friend who will give you the advice you require 

 when you really do require it ? Where is the friend who — 

 but on second thoughts Pullinger has advised me to take 

 the horse on trial. Query on what trial .? An hour ? 

 Shall I detect his faults in an hour ? or in a day } or in 

 three days ? 



