110 CONFESSIONS OF A HOESE DEALEK. 



on the table, that there was " nothing in this country" 

 could lick the mare ; " Midland Pride/ 7 he called 

 her. 



The traveller now entered. This was the last calling 

 place ; he had been lucky that day both in money and 

 orders, and a common observer, who knew the man, 

 could see it in his beaming countenance. 



"Now, Sam, what's all this row about, my boy r" 

 said he to the butcher ; and, turning to the landlord, 

 " Bring a bottle of sherry," he added. 



Sam (with a sly wink). " Why, this gentleman 

 thinks he has a horse in the stable that can lick your 

 mare at a trot." 



Traveller (with a wink at Sam). " Oh, what's the 

 use of talking about that nonsense ? you know very 

 well my mare can not trot fast, Sam." 



Sam. " Well, no ; but still I don't like to sit here 

 and hear people bounce about their fast-trotting 

 horses." 



Coper (with well-assumed warmth). " Who n 

 bouncing?" 



Sam. "Why, you; and if you think anything 

 about your grand trotter, back him for a ' fiver' against 

 the mare ; that's what I say." 



Coper. " Indeed, I have no ' fivers' to bet about 

 trotting-horses." 



Sam." Well, then, shut up." 



Coper." When I please." 



Traveller. "Drop it, Sara drop it. Come, sir, 



