you've got a big bony cuss
there that would make a good plow hoss, I'll give you a big trade."

"Bring 'er out; let's see 'er."

"Here, boy, lead that little brown mare out and let the gentleman see
her."

As the boy led her from the stable she came out with her ears laying
back and her short tail switching; and I said to myself, "here will be a
job breaking a kicker and balker."

"How will you trade?" I asked, not leaving my seat in the wagon, but
simply looking through and over the fence at her.

Without leaving his seat on the fence, the man said:

"I'll trade for five dollars to boot."

"I'll trade even."

"No, sir," he said, "I'm expecting threshers to-morrow, and have got to
have some money to buy meat and groceries with."

"Well, then, I'll give you two dollars and fifty cents, and no more."

"All right; it's a trade. The boy will change them for you."

The lad then led the mare around, and after unhitching the old horse,
changed the harness, and after hitching the mare to the wagon I handed
him the amount agreed upon, and started on.

I expected to have a little "circus" with her, but to my surprise and
delight she started off on a full trot. The sensation was certainly
invigorating, as it was the first time I had ridden faster than a walk
in all summer.

The idea of our making the trade without either of us leaving our
seats, or asking a single question, rather amused me, and seemed like
trading "sight unseen."

I felt that two dollars and-a-half was all I had to risk, anyhow, and if
he could afford to be reckless just because he was out of meat, I could
afford to take equal chances with him.

This, I think, so far as real value was concerned, was the best horse
trade I ever made; the animal was not only sound and kind, but an extra
good roadster and a good-looking beast.

The next day when I drove into Plymouth, Ohio, to my surprise I met
Doctor Frank. He had concluded to stop there and sell polish for a few
days before going to Michigan, and in the meantime write up there and
learn more about his friend's offer.

I shall never forget his looks as he came walking up to the wagon just
as I was lighting my lamps to open a sale. He had been attracted by the
lights and the gathering crowd, and when he saw the new horse and
discovered me with a stock of goods, he could hardly believe his own
eyes.

I took time to explain how I had made a raise, and about the
horse-trade.

He was as much pl