"''Tain't 'cause I ker a darn for the money, Mr. Stebbins,' says he to me, confiding-like; 'but it's 'cause I knows as how all these racehoss-jockey fellers takes a pride in gitting the best of everybody they deals with, and I hates to be beat in that are way. Now I sees by your eyes, Mr. Stebbins, that you ain't a chap to be took in in a hoss trade, and I wants you to use 'em for me; and if things comes out all right, I won't stop to put another ten or twenty a-top of the five, you know.'
"'I'll do my best, Mr. Jenkins,' says I; 'and I guess you'll find my best right up to the handle.'
"When we got to the place we seen a stable, in a little, back, dirty street, and in it was two men and three hosses.
"Two of these 'ere hosses wan't o' no great account, but t'other one was a pooty slick smart-looking critter.
"'How much for this 'ere one?' says Mr. Jenkins, putting his hand onto the beast.
"Waal, really,' says the dealer, 'we don't keer about selling that are critter.'
"'I was recommended to come here for a place where I could buy a good hoss cheap,' says Mr. Jenkins.
"'We really hain't got nothing to sell 'cept the other two critters,' says the jockey. 'We'll sell you them cheap.'
"'I don't want 'em,' says Jenkins, 'but only this 'ere one. Hey, Stebbins! what d'you say?' he says, speaking to me.
"'Waal, the critter you've picked out is pooty likely,' says I, 'but I don't think much of t'others.'