132 CONFESSIONS OP A HORSS DEALER. 



the contents of the paper are salt, and nothing else. The 

 confederate, however, contrives to shuffle this part of 

 the business on to the shoulders of some one else. There 

 Is, however, generally one or more in a bar parlour com- 

 pany who are always ready to bet a few pounds about 

 anything, especially when they think they see so clear a 

 chance of winning, as in this case. 



The money is staked, and the paper is opened, when 

 lo, the contents are really salt, and nothing else tho 

 man having watched his opportunity, and changed the 

 Bcrewed-up paper left on the table, and prepared by the 

 confederates, for another exactly of the same size, con- 

 taining salt, previously prepared, and safely deposited 

 in his pocket. This is a case of " diamond cut diamond," 

 and the company invariably turn the laugh against the 

 man who has lost his money. 



This class of rogues is too often confounded with 

 horse copers, which is a mistake, for although the horse 

 coper will invariably cheat a man in the purchase or 

 sale of horses, and have recourse to the most unworthy 

 means to attain his end, ne has too much spirit and too 

 much pride, however misplaced it may be, to descend to 

 these very mean and paltry practices of extracting money 

 from the pockets of the unsuspecting. He is an unmi- 

 tigated rogue, but in his own way ; he flies at high game, 

 and goes in for large amounts, and scorns to descend to 

 the petty devices of the salt trick. 



"Good morning, sir," said a well-made-up horse- 

 coper to a Welsh farmer, who was on his way with a 



