HORSE-SELLING ADVERTISEMENTS. 231 



to the inn-yard, the doors of which were closed. The 

 proprietor, who had gone to bed, and was asleep long- 

 before the mail arrived, was not, for some reason or 

 other, a particular favourite with the coachman, to 

 whom a plan occurred for having a little fun for 

 himself, the guard, and horsekeeper, at the proprietor's 

 expense. 



It happened that in the fresh team to be put to, 

 was a grey mare who was an inveterate kicker upon 

 the slightest provocation. The accomplishment, I 

 believe, she had acquired under the teaching of some 

 men who had been in the habit of mounting her bare 

 backed, and, when up, scratching her back with a 

 curry-comb. Thus tutored, it is not to be wondered 

 at that the mare soon became entitled to the character 

 I have given her. 



So, in order to turn her talent to account, and at 

 the same time have their amusement, either the 

 coachman or guard backed the mare sharply up 

 against the closed doors, when she rattled off a 

 continuous volley of kicks. This unusual noise in 

 the dead silence of the night woke up the landlord, 

 who immediately rushed out of bed, and throwing 

 Tip the window, put out his head to ascertain the 

 cause of all the row. To do this did not take long, 

 as he looked down on the mare, who continued her 

 performance. 



