PXJRCHASi:N^a HOESES. 59 



questions on such very equivocal assurance, unless 

 he knows the inquiring party well. 



We will suppose I do not know the stud-groom, 

 and what he knows of me has been from the head 

 man of the yard. I introduce myself by slipping five 

 shiUings into his hand. This induces him to pay 

 attention to my assurance that, if I get a horse that 

 suits my purpose, a sovereign or a couple will be 

 forthcoming. Here a hint from one who knows well 

 how the thing works may be useful. It is always a 

 bad plan to promise that you will, as I have stated, 

 " not forget a man" if he does a certain thing. In 

 the first place, promises of what you will do, unless 

 you are well known, avail nothing, and your ideas 

 and those of the man to whom you make the pro- 

 mise are very apt to differ as regards the value of the 

 consideration. The old adage of "a bird in hand 

 being worth two in the bush'* is held in full force on 

 these occasions. The five shiUings must be given on 

 the chance of whether you buy or not ; and depend 

 on it, " it tells" in some way or other. 



The mode of your inquiry will show the groom 



