THE SELLER DONE BUT NOT BROWNED. 363 



mine had corns or not, and never left it to any one to 

 determine the fact for me. But, as Nickem now finds 

 it judicious to manufacture one, the reader will learn 

 all about it. Nickem has perfectly satisfied himself 

 long since that the horse was sound, and had he been 

 offered at any time fifteen or twenty pounds more 

 than he was authorised to take for him, he would have 

 done so and pocketed the balance: (how this may 

 be done without detection I shall by-and-by explain ; 

 sufficient for the present transaction is the evil there- 

 of:) but not having been offered this, and resolving 

 to have him, forty is the price determined on : so now 

 we will manufacture the corn. 



The smith is sent for. Nickem does not compro- 

 mise himself to him, as you will see. " Take off that 

 shoe : I am afraid this horse has a corn." Off comes 

 the shoe, and the searcher is applied. " Take down 

 both heels pretty well, so as not to disfigure the foot 

 too much : there, now try this heel ; I am sure it is 

 very deep-seated. Go on : ah ! I was sure of it. 

 There, put on his shoe." The smith perfectly well 

 knows what all this is about ; but he shoes for the 

 place, and knows it is as much his business not to 

 make remarks, as it is to make horseshoes and corns 

 when either are wanted. 



The owner is now written to, to say his horse is sold 

 at fifty, Nickem regretting he could not do better. 

 The owner thanks God he is gone at all events, though 

 the price was bad. Now this philosophy and thank- 

 fulness is very proper and grateful ; but he is not gone ; 

 for the next day the seller receives " Sir, I regret 

 to say your horse has been returned to my stables, not 

 having answered the warranty of soundness given 



