6 CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE DEALER. 



.having been deposited with the coachmaker prior to its 

 removal from his establishment), a quiet-looking, but 

 coper groom, was in constant attendance, and everything 

 in apple-pie order, for the reception of the unsuspecting 

 "flat," who is sure to put in an appearance to such a 

 .genuine-sounding advertisement. In this instance the 

 rendezvous was a quiet-looking stable, in a very respect- 

 able part of the west-end, the last place in the world 

 where swindling was likely to be done. 



" You have a pair of carriage horses here for sale, I 

 understand r" said the victim on his arrival, trying to 

 appear as horsey as possible, in the hope of getting 

 them cheaper. 



" Yessir," replied the coper groom. 



" Who do #iey belong to ?" inquired the victim. 



" I'll give you the guv'ner's card, sir, for I think I 

 have one somewhere," said he, fumbling in his pockets, 

 although he knew exactly where to find it. " Oh, here 

 it is at last," said he. 



" What are you selling them for?" inquired the fiat. 



" Well, I think the guv'ner wants one hundred and 

 fifty guineas/' 



" Yes, but are you parting with them for any fault r" 



" Oh, I thought you meant what price," said the acute, 

 hut simple-pretending groom. " Well, no, they have 

 no fault 'xcept," he added, in an under tone, " I heard 

 the coachman say that the one there in the corner stall 

 has a little harder mouth than the other ; but please not 

 to say as how I told you, sir." 



