172 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



" He has been in harness, I suppose?" I ask, not Hkingto 

 lose the chance of buying such a clever cob as this. 



"Has been in 'arness!" exclaims Chalvey. "Only look 

 at his neck, Sir ! If it worn't for them collar-marks I 

 shouldn't be arkxing the low price I am for him. The hair 

 will grow in time, and it'll come all right. But they must 

 ha' druv him rayther 'ard in some cart or other." 



Yes, evidently. There are the marks of the collar. Regu- 

 larly worn off the hair. No doubt. " He must have been 

 in harness," I say to Cazell. 



Cazell is sure of it, or how did the collar-marks come 

 there ? 



Quite so. That's all satisfactory. I really don't care 

 about inquiring as to his soundness. I know what / should 

 say if I were selling him. I look upon all questions as to 

 soundness as mere formalities. The price is the point. 



Chalvey wants twenty-five guineas. 



(Not more ! 1 am pleased.) 



Happy Thought.— \.oo\i frowningly, and shake my head. 



Cazell (bother him) says, "Cheap at the price." He further 

 suggests that I can make my money out of him over and 

 over again as a trick pony, with umbrellas. 



"Likewise," chimes in Chalvey, "for trotting matches." 



Happy Thought. — Give up literature, and take to trick 

 ponies and trotting matches. Might do a profitable provin- 

 cial tour, riding the cob myself, and betting on his perfor- 



