The major drove out with his new purchase that very day; but his performance did not equal his expectations. However, as an experienced horse jockey, he knew that great allowances are to be made for a green horse, and he promised to train him up to "2.50," at the least. But before one week had passed over his head, his expectations were all dashed. There was no "go" in the animal. His nose dropped to the ground, his tail slunk, and his toes dug into the gravel as if he was boring for water. The major had to confess that he had been completely taken in.
"That infernal rascal!" said he; "I wish I could catch him here again."
"You ain't very likely to," remarked Jake, the hostler, dryly.
"Why so? Do you know any thing about him? Did you ever see him before?"
"Ever see him! why, he came from the same place that I did."
"Where's that?"
"Meredith Bridge."
"Meredith Bridge!" exclaimed the landlord. "And he said he wasn't a horse jockey. O, what an ass I was."
"Very true," said the hostler.
"Any how, you never saw the horse before?" said the landlord.