least I never, see one that was.'

"A long banter then growed out of the 'boot money.' The
Elder, asked 7 pounds 10s. Goodish swore he wouldn't give
that for him and his hoss together; that if they were
both put up to auction that blessed minute, they wouldn't
bring it. The Elder hung on to it, as long as there was
any chance of the boot, and then fort the ground like a
man, only givin' an inch or so at a time, till he drawed
up and made a dead stand, on one pound.

"Goodish seemed willing to come to tarms too; but like
a prudent man, resolved to take a look at the old mare's
mouth, and make some kind of a guess at her age; but the
critter knowed how to keep her own secrets, and it was
ever so long, afore he forced her jaws open, and when he
did, he came plaguy near losin' of a finger, for his
curiosity; and as he hopped and danced about with pain,
he let fly such a string of oaths, and sacry-cussed the
Elder and his mare, in such an all-fired passion, that
Steve put both his hands up to his ears, and said, 'Oh,
my dear friend, don't swear, don't swear; it's very
wicked. I'll take your pony, I'll ask no boot, if you
will only promise not to swear. You shall have the mare
as she stands. I'll give up and swap even; and there
shall be no after claps, nor ruin bargains, nor recantin',
nor nother, only don't swear.'

"Well, the trade was made, the saddles and bridles was
shifted, and both parties mounted their new hosses. 'Mr.