THE BAFFLE. 11 



"But, oh dear, whatever is that noise, Pa ? fl said one 

 of the little angels by his side, " whatever is the matter 

 with the horses ?" 



Pa's head is hurriedly thrust through the open window; 

 he hears the unwelcome music. 



"Pull up, John," says he, in a tone of alarm, as a 

 suspicion flashed through his disordered mind. 



" Are they broken- winded, John ?" says he, feebly. 



" Why, yessir, it's very like it." 



" Drive home," is the order, and home they are driven, 

 whistling like jays, and labouring like blow-bellows in 

 a fit. 



The victim hires a Hansom, hoping to find the coper 

 coachee and groom, and regrets he did not take the 

 country address of coper A 1, but the whole kit are non> 

 est. A day or two is allowed him to cool, and a good- 

 natured looking, farmer sort of individual contrives to 

 see the coachman. He has been told they have two 

 broken- winded carriage horses for sale, and he wants 

 something at a little money to do slow work on his farm ; 

 both horses are sold to him for 12, less a luck shilling, 

 and a few days after are again advertised as single 

 brougham horses, but at different places, and shown by 

 gang !N"o. 2 of the same fraternity, and in their turn are 

 sure to find customers among a certain class of gentle- 

 men who are on the look-out for a cheap horse, forget- 

 ting if ever they knew that good sound horses are 

 few and far between, and cannot now-a days be bought 

 for a trifle. 



