332 r HORSE PORTRAITURE. 



sent as that most in vogue. The horse is then harnessed, 

 and though a little awkward, shows speed that the buyer 

 is sure is unknown to the seller, and the bargain is closed 

 by paying a round sum, which the dealer knows enough 

 to ask, speed or no speed. Both are pleased, one having 

 made a hundred or two above expenses, and the other, 

 satisfied that he has an embryotic trotter that in due time 

 will be as fast as the best. He has been told that the horse 

 has had no driving, and he will have to handle him very 

 carefully for a while, till he gets used to the shafts. So 

 he jogs him in out-of-the-way places where he will not be 

 likely to have his attention distracted, though he cannot 

 resist the temptation to let him go along a little, whenever 

 a smooth road is gone over. As he and the horse become 

 acquainted, he is gratified with an increase of speed that 

 fully corroborates the dealer's history. The same story is 

 repeated to the trainer, who cannot but agree that the 

 gait of the horse is very fast for one that never had any 

 handling. Should he signify his doubts of that being the 

 case, the matter is set at rest by the conclusive argument 

 that he could not trot in three and a half when first pur- 

 chased, and now he can go close to three minutes. The 

 facts are that the horse had been driven for two seasons 

 in the country, perhaps not very judiciously, but still so 

 as to develope a good deal of speed. Being sore from the 

 journey when first tried, and not being accustomed to the 

 vehicle, it took a few days for him to get at himself, which 

 resulted in the over-estimation in which he was held. The 

 seller was aware that he would get more for him from this 

 duplicity, than if he took time himself to bring the horse 

 round and show the speed he honestly possessed, as that 

 would be more than would agree with the truth of his 

 narrative, without being fast enough to enhance his 

 value, when considered as a partially trained horse. The 

 trainer takes him under this false estimate, and he is 



