per showed him three or four others--good
things in their way, but not at all suited to the gent. At last Coper says
to him, with a sort of sigh, 'Well, sir, I'm afear'd we shan't make a deal
of it to-day, sir; you're very particular, as you've a right to be, and
I'll look about, and if I can find one that I think 'll do, I'll call on
you.' By this time he had walked the gent down the stable to opposite a
stall where was a brown hoss, fifteen hands or about, 'Now there 'ud be
the thing to suit you, sir,' says he, 'and I only wish I could find one
like him.' 'Why can't I have him?' says the gent. 'Impossible,' says
Coper. 'Why impossible?' says the gent. 'Because he's Mrs. Coper's hoss,
and money wouldn't buy him of her; he's perfect, and she knows it.'
'Well,' says the gent, getting his steam up, 'I don't mind price' 'What's
money to peace of mind?' says Coper. 'If I was to sell that hoss, my
missis would worry my life out.' Well, sir, the more Coper made a
difficulty of selling the hoss, the more the gent wanted to buy, till at
last Coper took him to a coach-hus, as tho' to be private, and said to him
in a whisper, 'Well, tell you what I'll do: I'll take ninety pounds for
him; perhaps he's not worth that to every body, but I think he is to you,
who wants a perfect thing, and ready-made for you.' 'You're very kind,'
said the gent, 'and I'll give you a check at once.' 'But, mind,' says
Coper, 'you must fetch him away at night; for if my missus saw him going
out of the yard, I do believe she'd pull a life-guardsman off him. How I
shall pacify her I don't know! Ninety pounds! why, ninety pounds won't pay
me for the rows; leave alone the hoss!'

"The gent quite thought Coper was repenting of the bargain, and so walked
away to the little countin'-house, and drew a check for the money. When he
was gone, I burst out a-laughin'; because I know'd Mrs. Coper was as mild
as a bran-mash, and 'ud never a' dared to blow up her husband; but Coper
wouldn't have it--he looked as solemn as truth. Well, sir, the horse was
fetched away that night."

"But why at night, Davis?"

"Because they shouldn't see his good qualities all at once, I suppose,
sir; for he'd got the Devonshire coat-of-arms on his off knee."

"Devonshire coat-of-arms?"

"Yes, sir; you see Devonshire's a very hilly country, and most of the
hosses down there has broken knees, so they calls a speck the Devonshire
coat-of-arms. Well, sir, as Mrs. Coper's pet shied at ever