12 WHIP AND SPUR. 



his passion had got the better of his prudence, 

 he staked the mare herself on a perfectly sure 

 , thing in two-mile-heats. Like most of the sure 

 things of life, this venture went to the bad, and 

 the mare was lost, — lost to a Bull's Head dealer 

 in single driving horses. " I see her in his stable 

 ahfter that, sir; and, forbieten she were twelve 

 year old, sir, and 'ad 'ad a 'ard life of it, she were 

 the youngest and likeliest of the lot, — you'd 

 swore she were a three-year-old, sir." 



If that dealer had had a soul above trotting- 

 wagons, my story would never have been written ; 

 but all was fish that came to his net, and this 

 thoroughbred lacer, this beautiful creature who 

 had never worn harness in her life, must be 

 shown to a purchaser who was seeking something 

 to drive. She was always quick to decide, and 

 her actions followed close on the heels of her 

 thought. She did not complicate matters by 

 waiting for the gentleman to get into the wagon, 

 but then and there — on the instant — kicked it 

 to kindlings. This ended the story. She had 

 been shown at a high figure, and was subse- 



