"That gets me sort-a warmed up, 'n' then I begins to really tell this dog what the sad sea waves is sayin'. When I can't think of nothin' more to call him, I stops.
"'Outside of that he's all right, ain't he?' says some one behind me.
"'No,' I says, 'he has other faults besides.'
"I turns round 'n' there's a fat guy with a cigar in his face. He's been standin' there listenin'. He's got a chunk of ice stuck in his chest that you have to look at through smoked glasses. 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!'