human
What in time does he want anyway, Jed?
gpt
Wants to git acquainted, that's all, Cap'n. Mighty knowin' hoss, he is. Now some hosses don't take notice of anything. They're jest naturally dumb. Then agin you'll find hosses that seem to know every blamed word you say. Them's the kind of hosses that's wuth havin.
human
S'pose he knows all the ropes, Jed?
gpt
I should say he did, Cap'n. If there's anything that hoss ain't done in his day I don't know what 'tis. Near's I can find out he's tried every kind of work, in or out of traces, that you could think of.
human
Sho!
gpt
Yes, sir, that's a remarkable hoss, continued the now enthusiastic Mr. Holden.
human
He's been in the cavalry service, for he knows the bugle calls like a book. He's travelled with a circus--ain't no more afraid of elephants than I be. He's run on a fire engine--know that 'cause he wants to chase old Reliance every time she turns out. He's been a street-car hoss, too. You jest ring a door gong behind him twice an' see how quick he'll dig in his toes. The feller I got him off'n said he knew of his havin' been used on a milk wagon, a pedler's cart and a hack. Fact is, he's an all round worker.
gpt
Must be some old by your tell, suggested the Captain.
human
Sure his timbers are all sound?
gpt
Dun'no' 'bout his timbers, Cap'n, but as fer wind an' limb you won't find a sounder hoss, of his age, in this county. Course, I'm not sellin' him fer a four-year-old. But for your work, joggin' from the P'int into the village an' back once or twice a week, I sh'd say he was jest the ticket; an' forty-five, harness an' all as he stands, is dirt cheap.