He's got
another one just as big on his south hook. Take him all 'n' all he
looks like the real persimmon.
"'Do you own him?' says the fat guy.
"'You've had no call to insult a stranger,' I says. 'But it's on me--I
owns him.'
"'I'm sorry you've got such a bad opinion of him,' he says. 'I was
thinkin' of buyin' him.'
"I looks around fur this guy's keeper--they ain't nobody in sight.
"'This ain't such a bad hoss,' I says. 'Them remarks you hears don't
mean nothin'. They're my regular pet names fur him.'
"'I'd like to be around once when you talk to a bad one,' says the guy.
'Now look a-here,' he says. 'I'll buy this horse, but get over all
thoughts of makin' a sucker out of me. What do you want for him? If
you try to stick me up--I'm gone. The woods is full of this kind.
Let's hear from you!'
"'Fur a hundred I throws in a halter,' I says.
"'You've sold one,' says the guy, 'n' peels off five yellow men from a
big roll.
"When I've got the kale safe in my clothes, I gets curious.
"'What do you want with this hoss?' I says.
"'He's to run on rollers in a racing scene,' he says.
"'Well,' I says, 'some skates has rollers on 'em, maybe they'll help
this one. God knows he ain't any good with just legs!'
"'He's plenty good enough for his act,' says the guy. 'And say, I want
another one like him, and a man to go on the road with 'em. Can you
put me wise?'
"'How much would be crowded towards the party you want, Saturday
nights?' I says.
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