The Argosy — page 307: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

286 The Fair of Cuers, horse, being stronger, more hardy, and more easily nourished; yet no rich farmer would dream of buying a mule for his own use, whereas a struggling man would never think of buying a horse. As for the donkey, here, as everywhere, he is the slave of the very poor, aiding to bring a little amusement into their dull lives: for surely an ass is a droll beast. For my own part, I never can help laughing when I see one leading a team, whether of camels, as at Smyrna, with the Arab’s legs dragging the ground, or of mules, as here in Provence. The little creature looks so infinitely important, lifts his dainty little legs like a lady, and never seems to doubt that the huge beasts who follow are under his direct command. Only a few days ago I saw an old miser, who owns a farm in the plains while he lives in a town, after putting a sack on the back of a most diminutive donkey, lift himself on to its back, and start for home with the air of an abbot of long, long ago. Any comic artist would have given much for their photo- graph. Next day I saw the poor little beast alone in a large stable. He regarded me with such a sedate stare and such evident tranquil- lity that I felt rebuked at my own impetuosity, and laughed inwardly at both man and beast. As soon as the horse business was finished, all sallied out on a voyage of discovery with a view to amusement. Accidentally we arrived first at the pig and goat market, this time held in the open air. Our pigs are of good breed, with short legs, long bodies, short noses, curly tails and apoplectic necks. Pig-dealers are familiar people. If you have had dealings with them, however slight, they claim you ever afterwards as a brother of the craft, meet you as a friend, lay hands upon the very pig which is your affair, and even if you say you are no buyer, point out the beauties of their merchan- dise and call upon you to admire. In a trice, our particular friend had a squeaker by the hind legs in each hand, swinging in the air and swelling the universal chorus. ‘Very nice, but don’t want one to-day.” ‘‘Don’t lose a good chance, sir; sell cheap this wet day, only fifty francs for the pair. How did you like the last? Did very well, eh? Of course they did, real Marseilles breed. ‘Take your fat one off your hands, if you like.” ‘Well, they are beauties, and if you like to take forty for the pair, you may leave them as you pass our way.” ‘* All right ; come to-morrow.” ‘‘But how shall I know them again ?” ‘Put your own mark on them, sir. Philip, lend me a knife. There (cutting off the hair of the neck in the form of a cross), no mistake this time (pitching them back into the cart), Wish you luck, sir.” During this dialogue the buyer had been shaking hands with half- a-dozen neighbouring farmers, who, in a desultory sort of way, had assisted at the deal. ECOPMICLMIOO KS, E)